Packaging innovation seeks to increase resource efficiency, eliminate the production of waste and reduce environmental impact through improved design and use of alternative materials.
Why is packaging innovation needed?
Good packaging innovation has the potential to add value and drive sales.
There are a large number of areas the food and grocery sector can consider in terms of innovation:
- Resource consumption
- Energy consumption
- Durability
- Design for maintenance upgrade
- Alternative energy sources
- Weight
And a large number of questions that should be addressed, for example:
- How is a package used?
- What protection is required?
- Is there a possibility for reuse and redesign?
- What are the appropriate materials?
- What are the customers’ requirements?
Industry driven innovation
Packaging innovation is a continual process and many well known innovations have been introduced over the years (e.g. anti-litter retained ring-pulls and readily open-able / re-sealable cartons).
What is new is the general realisation that packaging innovation is crucial to deliver sustainability for the sector and a company’s own corporate responsibility. To this end the food and grocery sector is incorporating more environmental and resource efficiency considerations when innovating.
Issues around innovation
Unsurprisingly a number of issues come to fore when considering packaging innovation. For example, will new techniques effect consumers purchasing habits? Will a reduced size and weight of packing reduce shelf presence and its ability to display relevant information?
As noted by INCPEN, there are many good reasons for having packaging (not least food safety and containment) and any innovations must meet these basic packaging requirements.
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Beyond Packaging: Food Waste in the Home
Report which explores shoppers’ attitudes to packaging, recycling and food waste in the home to provide an understanding on the role shoppers believe the food industry can play in reducing waste. |
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Retail Ready Packaging Functional Guidelines - Free Guide
ECR work groups have researched into innovations to improve retail ready packaging. More information on the workgroups, learning programmes, and a free guide on Functional Guidelines to improving retail ready packaging is available here. | |
| Related Internet links |
WRAP
Up-to-date thinking, best practice and advice on packaging design. |
INCPEN
INCPEN (Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment) has published ‘The Responsible Packaging Code of Practice’, the ‘Environmental Impact of Packaging in the UK Food Supply System’ and has undertaken research into consumer attitudes to packaging’. |
Envirowise
Case Study outlines the benefits of implementing a programme to redesign its product packaging to reduce costs and improve its environmental performance. |
Faraday Packaging Partnership
Website offering details about Faraday Packaging, which works at the interface between academia and industry to stimulate packaging innovation. |
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(IGD is not responsible for the content of external sites) | |
