Cap-it Packaging used by Pepsi Recognized for Sustainablity

 A jury of industry experts at the 66th annual PPC National Paperboard Packaging Competition chose Cap-it, the eco-friendly paperboard multipack from Graphic Packaging International, Inc., as the paperboard package with the most positive impact on product differentiation, merchandising, and sustainability among the 87 competitive entries.

Cap-it was first used last year as packaging for a six pack of 24oz Pepsi bottles.

“We appreciate the industry’s recognition of the Cap-it concept, which we believe can reposition paperboard as a competitive alternative to plastic rings and shrink film,” said John Best, vice president, Product Development, Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

“Cap-it paperboard multipacks demonstrate that designing for sustainability all along the supply chain can deliver more value compared to conventional plastic choices.”

The Cap-It design was introduced in 2008 as a six-pack carrier for 24oz. Pepsi beverage products bottled by Alabama-based Buffalo Rock.

The Cap-it multipack provides structural integrity, billboard and portability while out-performing plastic solutions like rings and shrink film in sustainability and supply chain economics including distribution and warehousing.

The minimal Cap-it design uses less fiber – a renewable and recyclable natural material compared to petroleum-based plastic -- and allows consumers to view the bottled beverages for quality assurance. The billboard is adequately sized for branding and promotional graphics, backside printing, product traceability codes and onserts. The short and long sides of the billboard also adapt more easily to retail shelf space limitations and provide visibly better differentiation than shrink film when multiple brands are displayed side-by-side in small spaces.

Cap-it system economics surpass that of plastic rings or shrink film. The multipack requires only die-cutting and can be shipped flat to improve truck load pack-out. Energy consumption for manufacturing and delivering Cap-it multipacks is measurably lower than the energy used for Hicone plastic rings.

Graphic Packaging’s Cap-it multipacks are available for bottles in a range of sizes from 12oz to 32oz. It will be interesting to see which companies start using Cap-it packaging for their 12oz bottle - which are the most popular size for softdrinks among U.S. consumers.

Glass Packaging is Back, Sustainable and Drop Dead Gorgeous

BY DENNIS SALAZAR

One of the delights of being in the packaging industry for as long as I have been is witnessing the resurgence of many “old” packaging materials such as water activated paper tape, corrugated board in many new uses and on the retail packaging side, the old fashioned glass bottle or jar.

A quick peek in our refrigerator or kitchen pantry will show the variety of packaging materials that now satisfy some of the past, most common applications for glass containers. A wide range of newer packaging solutions ranging from multi-layer boxes to plastics in different grades now replace the traditional glass container for products such as milk, juice and even ketchup.

Clearly Glass Is Back in a Big Green Way

With the woes of the overall economy, precise industry numbers are difficult to obtain or compare but according to the Glass Packaging Institute, retail glass packaging is growing rapidly in terms of use and applications. It seems that the word is out that glass is pure, reusable, recyclable and very sustainable from several different perspectives.

 According their web site www.gpi.org, “recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for four hours, a computer for 30 minutes or a television for 20 minutes”. That is very neat stuff in this day and age; especially considering the relentless “anti-plastic” sentiment of the green market.

From a recycling and up cycling perspective, the new, “hot” material for green home design is counter tops manufactured from guess what? Crushed glass. You can easily see why the glass industry is growing again and why it may be one of the best “new” green packaging solutions.

The Green Packaging Bad News

With this increased use of glass, there is also an expected and proportionate rise in damage from full or partial cases of glass packaged products shipping via UPS, FedEx and USPS. Compound this with the fact that many companies now prefer glass over plastic and other non-eco friendly materials for packaging of their healthy, organic or otherwise “green” products, you can see why this is a fast growing problem. It stands to reason, the more glass we use and ship; the more likely we are to have breakage in shipment.

Sustainable packaging and Survival of the Fittest

Damage leads to unhappy customers and increased costs for everyone so it is not at all surprising to see a company like FedEx devote a large part of their website to package testing.  http://www.fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Testing_Procedures.pdf Similar information can be found at USPS and UPS’s websites but FedEx makes their information clearer and much easier to locate and use.

Regardless of whether you drop test a package seven or ten times and do it from a height of 30”, 36” or 48”, the end result is often times the same. There are many different variations of this test but you can understand why it can be brutal, especially on a glass product, improperly packaged for shipment. The glass container is vulnerable to the impact shock transferred to it from a drop and that is not a good thing.

The Green Packaging Silver Lining

From the simple perspective of a packaging sales person, especially one who focuses on green, protective secondary packaging, this should all sound like great news. More damage should lead to more packaging and cushioning materials, right?

That is correct in theory but keep in mind the same green buyer who wants glass container packaging for its eco benefits is also the same customer who is likely to demand less secondary packaging, not more. So what is a packager to do?

Green Secondary Packaging

In my opinion, there has never been a time when there has been such a wide variety of affordable, eco friendly secondary packaging products and solutions as are available today. Recycled and recyclable corrugated die cut products, biodegradable inflatable products, and even molded pulp that was once relegated to drink cup carriers are all back in a big way.

There is probably not a product that I am aware of today that cannot be shipped safely anywhere in the world with use of a blocking, bracing, cushioning or void fill material that is obviously and inarguably green. If the first concern is product protection, the close second is green perception so using products that communicate a clear and consistent green message, is more important than ever.

For most of the world drop dead gorgeous means something else but for people with glass or otherwise fragile products, it means product arriving in one piece and that is truly a beautiful thing.

Dennis Salazar is the president of Salazar Packaging, Inc., a certified MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) company specializing in packaging products, equipment and solutions. With over thirty years in the packaging industry, he is known for his tongue in cheek sense of humor as well as his sustainable packaging passion and expertise.  Dennis is also a featured blogger at www.packagingdigest.com.

To contact Dennis, please visit his web site: www.salazarpackaging.com

 

Survey Finds Glass Packaging Preferred by Organic Shoppers

According to an analysis by researchers at the University of Oklahoma, most health concerned organic shoppers believe glass packaging keeps the true flavor, taste and purity of a food product.

Glass continued to be the first choice of the organic shopper by significant margins in five key areas.  Glass packaging for organic foods got high marks for:  maintaining true flavor/taste, purity, healthiest, maintaining quality, preserving shelf life

When it came to which packaging was best for the environment, glass was also the primary choice. Researchers report a trend towards glass packaging as the first choice of consumers who say they care about the environment and their individual and family health.

Survey comparisons show a growing trend of younger consumers expressing even more of an interest in organic foods when compared to the total population of shoppers. The survey found 57.8% of shoppers, ages 18 to 34, purchased organic food, while 38% of shoppers, ages 55 and older, purchased organic foods sometime during the year.

The survey was conducted by the University of Oklahoma.  The Glass Packaging Institute, an industry advocacy group supporting Glass packaging highlighted the results of the survey on its website.

Whole Foods Baked Goods Packaging Recognized for Sustainability

Whole Foods Market (WFM) recently had new packaging its using for its baked goods recognized with an award at the 21st DuPont Awards for Packaging and Innovation.

Whole Foods new baked goods packaging is compostable is made from 100% renewable content. 

The packaging represents a major change in a sector of the market where common practice is to use multiple containers for baking and retail sale.  Disposable metal trays are used for baking and then the goods are transferred to a second package for in store sales.  The second package would ultimately be disposed of by the consumer as trash.

The new packaging is Sealed Air's Renew-A-Pak made by Biosphere Industries.

Now the product stays in the new oven safe, microwavable trays all the way through to the consumer and are compostable at end of life, eliminating aluminum tray disposal, the need for a 2nd package or disposed of as waste at end of life.

While this new packaging isn't as glamorous as some of the other innovations we've covered it does make a significant impact in reducing waste and I'm pleased both companies were recognized for their work.  It is this type of innovation that makes a major difference and its one we need to expand beyond Whole Foods to grocery stores across the country.

How to Pack a Zero Waste Lunch

Bringing lunch with you to school or work is a great way to eat better and save money.  While there are many benefits to packing your own lunch there is one major environmental concern: single use disposable packaging generates significant amounts of waste.

The Center for American Progress (CAP) just ran a great short piece on how to green up your child's school lunch.  CAP estimates each average school-age child who has mostly single serving packaged items in their lunch generates 67 pounds of waste each school year. CAP suggests packaging a zero-waste lunch.

Here’s the basic things to remember:

1) Reuse your beverage container. Use a thermos or a reusable water bottle to carry liquids.

2) Pack a reusable lunch bag. Using the same lunch bag every day creates no waste and is an affordable one-time purchase. You can probably even reuse a bag you already have.

3) Buy in bulk. Buy family-sized packages of cookies, crackers, and chips, rather than individually packaged snacks, and then pack the desired amount each day.

4) Use reusable containers for food. Use Tupperware, or whenever possible wash out old food packaging for reuse. This is great for transporting leftovers.

5) Rise out of old food containers. Reuse old food packaging to avoid throwing it out.

6) Bring your fork from home. Remembering to pack reusable utensils will prevent wasting hundreds of plastic forks, knives, and spoons every year. You can also keep a set of washable cloth napkins on hand to prevent unnecessary use of paper ones.

It’s almost always easier, and cheaper, to replace disposable packaging items with reusable materials. And they’ll save you less trips to the store in the long run, as well as money on things such as plastic and paper bags.

via Center for American Progress

Henri Bendel Hosts Eco Exhibit: Living Perfume: the Natural Alchemy of Mandy Aftel

Check Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue in NYC for an interesting "pop-up" exhibit, Living Perfume: the Natural Alchemy of Mandy Aftel.  The exhibit features the perfume, craft, and collections of Aftel who is often considered the world’s leading natural perfumer.  Aftel has also launched her latest perfume, Lumiere at the three week event.

The exhibit, dedicated to the sense of smell, aromatics and the art of natural perfume, features Aftel’s body of work - her perfumes and oils, research and writings and personal library of rare books, graphics, and artifacts. 

“We are thrilled to be able to bring perfumer Mandy Aftel’s art, and collection to the world. The exhibit will be a rare window into her creative process, an important educational opportunity and an unparalleled aesthetic experience,” said Julie Anixter, organizer of the event and Chief Marketing Officer of Brandimage, Desgrippes & Laga. 

“This experiential in-store exhibition is as multi-layered - literally and figuratively - as Aftel’s fine all-natural perfumes.”

Sculptural forms made from smooth, silhouetted layers of white sustainable eco-board suggest the sensuality of natural elements - trees, stone formations, a forest path - while paralleling the layers of perfume and invoking the mystery and beauty of scent. The space is designed to “impose” itself into the store environment in the way that a tree would grow on a busy urban street.

“Henri Bendel is such a vibrant and ‘complete’ environment that the challenge we faced was how to ‘disrupt’ the environment in a way that would draw people to the third floor and into the exhibit from that glorious atrium, and then enthrall them with Mandy’s art and the journey inside,” says Jeremy Dawkins, Executive Creative Director of Brandimage, Desgrippes & Laga.

Eco Design & Packaging

The Living Perfume exhibit was developed and installed using the responsible design principles of sustainable materials and eco-friendly sourcing. Sculptural forms made from silhouetted layers of white sustainable eco-board create natural elements — trees, stone formations, and a forest path. The exhibit is constructed of Xanita recycled post-consumer and 100% re-pulpable materials, E-Core Plus (EC+) structured light weight boards, and contains no formaldehyde, toxins or wax. After the event, most of the fixtures will remain in their current space, converting into Bendel bookstore fixtures as well as for the retailer to use for future exhibit rentals.

Packaging giant MeadWestvaco's Personal & Beauty Care team developed an exclusive gift package for the launch of Lumiere.  Only 12 of the special gift sets were developed for the event each was signed by Aftel and available at the debut.  MeadWestvaco designed and produced the paperboard-based packaging which hold all of the Aftelier perfumes, including the new Lumiere.

Where:  Henri Bendel Fifth Avenue New York - 3rd Floor through May 11th.

Sonnentor Spices Move to Biodegradable Packaging

Innovia Films’ compostable cellulose-based material, NatureFlex NK, has been chosen by an Austrian producer, Sonnentor, to package its range of herbs and spices.

Sonnentor was founded over 20 years ago in the ‘Waldviertel’ region by Johannes Gutmann.  He wanted to sell locally grown and dried organic herbs and spices with the emphasis on traditional harvesting and refining methods, innovation and Fair Trade principles.  The company has gone from strength to strength and employs 100 people in Austria, with 75% of its product exported.

NatureFlex NK was launched in 2008 and offers not only biodegradability and compostability, but also a moisture barrier approaching that of co-extruded OPP. 

Outlining why Sonnentor chose NatureFlex to package its herbs and spices, Gutmann comments, “Sonnentor’s formula for success is innovative product concepts and high-quality, carefully selected organic ingredients.  This organic way requires innovative solutions for our packaging.  NatureFlex plays an important part in our sustainability and successful future.”

NatureFlex was an obvious solution for the packaging in this application as the film begins life as a natural product – wood - and breaks down at the end of its lifecycle in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks. 

It also offers advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas, print receptive surface and a wide heat-seal range.

NatureFlex films are certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging.  The wood-pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating Good Forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). 

SunChips Packaging to be 100% Compostable by Earth Day 2010

Frito-Lay's SunChips (owned by PepsiCo) brand is in the process of converting its packaging to 100% compostable packaging made from corn-based Ingeo PLA. 

The company has already converted one element of its current 10.5 oz SunChips snack bags packaging to PLA and has set the goal of converting its full bag packaging to being completely compostable by Earth Day 2010. 

A move that would represent the first major green packaging conversion of a mainstream brand US food product to compostable packaging.

“We know environmentally-friendly packaging is a priority for our SunChips consumer,” said Gannon Jones, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay North America.

“Today’s launch of packaging made with 1/3 renewable materials is an important first step towards having a fully compostable chip bag in market by Earth Day 2010.”

Current snack food packaging has three layers: a printed outer layer with packaging visuals/graphics, an inner layer, which serves as a barrier to maintain the quality and integrity of the product, and a middle layer that joins the other two layers. When the packaging is 100% compostable, it will fully decompose in about 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost pile or bin.  NatureWorks LLC is providing the PLA, which is trademarked under the Ingeo name.

To inform consumers about the new packaging initiatives, the brand will be communicating through traditional marketing efforts, including print, TV and digital advertising.  As part of the current packaging change, the front panel of the current 10 ½ oz size SunChips package features a callout, “Renewable materials make up 33% of this bag.”  To communicate the next improvement, the digital strategy includes a video showing how the bag decomposes over 14 weeks.  Also, samples of the 100% compostable material will be distributed at major retailers across the country and as part of a special People magazine ad.

To get their message out Frito-Lay has hired some of the country's best firms including Ketchum and OMD.

The SunChips website already has a whole section devoted to the new compostable bag packaging with a substantial amount of information and well done media elements.

I have to say I am impressed with the detail of the campaign thus far.  Normally the type of material Frito-Lay is making available to everyone is only available to media or press outlets working on stories.  I like how the company is making information about their packaging conversion available as well as making the process educational for consumers.

Lloyd's BBQ New Greener Packaging Eliminates Paper

In response to consumer demands for greener packaging, Lloyd’s BBQ Company just introduced new packaging for their popular BBQ tubs. Getting rid of the old, throw-away paper sleeve, all dietary and product information is now printed directly on the tub. Lloyd's claims that by making these changes to their packaging they are saving more than 970 tons of wood or 6,000 trees annually.  Pretty amazing - imagine the impact if other companies even made minor changes to their packaging.  

The new tub, which also features “stay cool” handles, making it easier to remove the heated container from the microwave, will continue to be available in five varieties at retailers nationwide.

Lloyd's encourages their customers to see the full impact of the energy savings associated with this paper reduction on the new Lloyd's BBQ tub packaging, visit their website and check out their Environmental Impacts Report.

Aquafina Lauches new Eco-Fina Bottle

PepsiCo's Aquafina, the nation's best-selling brand of bottled water, is launching the Eco-Fina Bottle, the lightest half-liter bottle of any nationally distributed bottled water brand in the market.

At a weight of 10.9 grams, the Eco-Fina Bottle is made with 50 percent less plastic, eliminating an estimated 75 million pounds of plastic annually. Aquafina is also driving additional environmental benefits by producing the bottle at purification centers where filling occurs and by eliminating cardboard base pads from 24-packs, which will contribute to saving 20 million pounds of corrugate by 2010.

The new bottle features a "rippled web" design that goes beyond aesthetics, ensuring its structural soundness and functionality. The Eco-Fina Bottle will be available in 24-packs and begins shipping to retail outlets nationwide this April.

PepsiCo's move to the Eco-Fina bottle follows a similar move by another bottled water giant in the US Market, Nestle.  Nestle who owns a large portfolio of bottled water brands including Poland Spring, Arrowhead and Ozarka introduced the "Eco-Shape" bottle which weighs 12.5oz and featured similar design enhancements to improve its structure.  Eco-Shape began appearing in Nestle's bottle water in the fall of 2007.

Eco-Fina's launch was carefully orchestrated and a much larger publicized launch than Eco-Shape.  PR firms working on the launch sent preview packs to writers and bloggers (we did not receive one) which included a custom graphic box with three filled bottles of Aquafina water. 

The preview packs have generated some controversy in the blogosphere over their unsustainable nature and the fact they were sent via overnight Fedex service.

Aquafina even posted a video of the new Eco-Fina on YouTube