Packaging Shake-Up: Sustainability, Innovation, and the Future of Labels
It's August, and the heat is on – both outside and in the packaging industry. Let's take a look at the latest trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the world of packaging.
In today’s edition:
The future is sustainable
But, at what cost??
Data from 2023 reveals that customers are increasingly interested in implementing sustainable packaging solutions. In a survey of over 9000 consumers across Europe, North America, and South America, 82% of respondents revealed that they would be willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly packaging options.?
However, the journey to a greener future is not without its challenges.
Costco’s recent move from clamshell containers to plastic food service bags for its famed rotisserie chicken and the subsequent customer response is a great example.
“The bag also takes less space to transport; one pallet of the new bags is equivalent to five pallets of the old packaging, so Costco can remove 1,000 of its freight trucks from the road each year. The use of fewer transportation vehicles will eliminate over 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.” – Costco Connections
While this switch could save the brand millions of pounds in plastic waste, some customers were left complaining about how the new packaging is prone to leakage and not recyclable in some cities. Others, however, seem happy that the retailer is embracing sustainability and avoiding plastic waste.
Our takeaway: This debacle underscores the importance of considering the entire product lifecycle — from production to disposal — when designing sustainable packaging.
Speaking of sustainability, major brand owners including Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, and PepsiCo have announced that they will fail to meet their sustainable packaging objectives for 2025. It clearly looks like Accenture was right in predicting that nearly all companies will fail in meeting their Net Zero goals back in 2022.
While some sustainability goals may have been ambitious to begin with, we sincerely hope that others are still achievable and just delayed.
As this article rightfully points out, “we can only hope our biggest industrial players make good on their promises to keep fighting for our environment, even if it does take them longer than originally planned.”
New in the packaging design world
Elsewhere, in the world of packaging design, here are some recent creative packaging ideas that caught this writer’s roving eye.
When art met milk
Tetra Pak and Mengniu Group together launched limited edition milk cartons featuring 30 unique masterpieces by Van Gogh and Monet. A collaboration with Meet Your Museum, these cartons were rendered beautifully thanks to Tetra Pak’s Custom Printing capabilities.
Lightweight luxury
Brockmans Gin has launched a new lightweight bottle of premium gin that’s largely recyclable. Weighing 500 grams, this gin will be the “lightest bottle of its competitive set.”
What caught our attention is how sustainability and premium products can co-exist after all.
Augmented reality wine
Bandit Wines have partnered with Aircards to use AR and create a unique customer experience. By scanning a QR code on bottles, consumers can immerse themselves in a 360° view of US national parks.
Quick reads from the interwebs
About Artwork Flow
Artwork Flow is an AI-led label management software with smart features including workflow automation, online proofing, and label compliance. It powers label operations in brands across the globe such as VitaCoco, Home Chef, and Savencia Dairy.