Entries by Catherine

A Shift to Minimalist Packaging

Lowering environmental impact, attracting conscious buyers and cutting costs are just three reasons why brands are shifting towards minimalist packaging. The days when items were wrapped in multiple layers to add shelf appeal are over. Consumers now favour brands that commit to sustainability and make it easy for them to make green choices. That means […]

Packaging Celebrates Heritage

Isn’t it compelling when you discover the story behind a brand or product? A little ‘behind the scenes’ taster of provenance and company values can influence buying decisions and differentiate brands from the competition. So, it was great to read about Clipper Tea’s latest packaging design, which tells a visual brand story in celebration of […]

Packaging Award Finalists Announced

As part of the annual London Packaging Week event, brands are invited to enter the packaging awards. In this competition, judges are looking for fresh ideas, innovative use of materials and recyclability. As with any great commercial packaging design, the shortlisted packaging solutions must balance functionality, appearance and user experience. The shortlist of 50 finalists […]

Call for Consistent Labels on Packaging

The latest consumer survey conducted by On Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) revealed that 68% of respondents believe recyclable packaging is important. This means that the majority of consumers want to avoid inefficient waste management. However, around half admitted to being confused about what can and can’t be recycled. Understanding Recycling Labels on Packaging The issue […]

Cost a Barrier to Sustainable Packaging

Research carried out by UPM, in collaboration with Pentawards suggests that manufacturers are dissuaded from sustainable packaging due to cost. When comparing like-for-like costs, green solutions are usually more expensive. For many, the final decision comes down to price. However, this is a narrow view that doesn’t reflect the real gains. So, if the finances […]

Summer Games Promote Recyclability

With athletes stepping up on the podium to receive their medals, it’s an ideal time to recognise achievements. With this in mind, let’s share some of the great work the organisers have done to promote recyclability and sustainability throughout the Summer Games. Carbon Footprint Goal The plan was to halve the carbon footprint of London, […]

Cardboard Packaging Return Scheme

In the age of e-commerce, corrugated cardboard is the most common form of packaging waste. Yes, all those delivery boxes soon stack up! At present, customers take on the lion’s share of responsibility for recycling cardboard packaging. As people are largely aware that cardboard is widely recycled 70% of boxes are disposed of in recycling […]

Scotland’s Circular Economy Bill Passed

Scottish Ministers have unanimously passed a bill to incentivise circular economy practices. The aim is to make reduce, reuse and recycle the default position for households, businesses and councils across the country. The Bill will use a carrot-and-stick approach to drive moves towards Net Zero targets. It will encourage the development of environmentally conscious habits, […]

Cardboard Sculptures Fund Wildlife Conservation

We’ve recently learnt about a London wildlife artist who creates realistic, life-size animals from recycled materials. Most of the creations are made using corrugated cardboard. To Josh Gluckstein, an everyday cardboard box offers the perfect material to work with. He values the cardboard’s strength and durability when forming the core shape by slotting pieces together. […]

Diabetes Patients Guilt of Packaging Waste

Many people have health conditions that result in reliance on medication or devices. An example is diabetes, where thousands of people have benefitted from insulin pumps and/or glucose monitors. These devices help the individual to manage their condition and retain quality of life. However, the volume of material used to package and send these items […]

Cardboard Beds a Sustainable Solutions

In 2021, athletes from across the world travelled to Tokyo to compete for their chance to receive a Gold medal. Back in the athlete’s village, they were provided with cardboard beds. Japanese manufacturer Airweave produced these strong and sustainable sleeping arrangements. Why Cardboard? With the right design and construction, cardboard is incredibly durable. What’s more, […]

Bringing Boxes Back

Can you remember a time when retail packaging was stacked at the supermarket checkout? If you prefer a cardboard box to a bag, you could just help yourself and start packing your groceries. Then they disappeared. Well, it seems that some customers have been asking for their return and Morrisons has announced that they are […]

Cardboard Edison Winner

Cardboard Edison is a board game design company set up and run by Suzanne and Chris Zinsli. More than just designing games, the company has created a supportive community for enthusiastic designers. This led to the creation of the annual Cardboard Edison Award for unpublished games. New Board Games on the Horizon Each year hundreds […]

More Than Bespoke Boxes

Cardboard is a versatile material, meaning that there is never a dull moment for a cardboard manufacturer. Requests come in for all sorts of packaging solutions, furniture and fittings. So, we were fascinated to learn about bespoke box manufacturer Thomas Norman & Sons in Bermondsey. This cardboard specialist was renowned for making luxury packaging for […]

Promote Animal Welfare on Packaging Labels

Students from two UK universities gathered insight from over 3000 consumers to better understand the information on retail packaging that influences purchasing decisions. There was a particular focus on meat and dairy products. So, which packaging labels do consumers look out for? What Packaging Labels Do Consumers Prioritise? The first insight of note is that […]