As a regular (addicted) coffee drinker, I use different methods to get my caffeine fix. Most of the time I just use a good ole coffee brewer but when I need a sort-of espresso fix, my coffee pod machine is the most convenient way since I don’t have an actual espresso machine. However we know that this isn’t the most environmentally-friendly way to consume coffee. But we’re seeing several brands come up with a more sustainable way forward for the k-cup industry.
Designer: Zenpack for Cambio
Cambio Roasters is one such brand that came up with organic coffee pods that were made up of just two materials: #5 polypropylene plastic and aluminum. But they didn’t want to just stop with the pods but come up with sustainable packaging as well. Zenpack created this container with eco-friendly materials that can serve also as a mini recycling bin for the pods before you bring them to the actual recycling bin.
The container is made from molded pulp with added vertical ribs to give it more structure. It is able to hold 10 pods both for when it is shipped and for when you want to hold your used pods. Even the label is sustainable as it’s a glue-free belly band with a tear strip. All of the elements of this packaging can be thrown into a larger receptacle recycling bin. The container can also be used as a temporary compost bin for your coffee grounds and other kitchen scraps.
With people becoming more conscious with how they consume products, it is good that more sustainable brands are emerging. We stan these brands that not only think of their main products but also their packaging, which can sometimes get lost in the shuffle.
Innovative design often emerges from the desire to solve a problem, and the Cuna furniture collection is a perfect example of this principle. Created as a solution to repurpose cardboard, Cuna is an eco-friendly piece of furniture that is cleverly designed, a multifunctional piece that redefines the concept of sustainability and functionality.
Designer: Valeria CoelloCrafted from cardboard, a material readily available in most households, it is a testament to the idea that there is latent potential in what we often consider to be “waste.” Think about the sheer volume of cardboard boxes that accompany the gadgets, appliances, and packages we receive daily. Rather than relegating this cardboard to landfills, Cuna repurposes it, offering an ingenious solution that is as practical as it is environmentally friendly.
Created from just two sheets of sturdy cardboard joined by five additional pieces, the bench offers a unique aesthetic and DIY experience. It’s a lovely DIY experience that allows one to build a connection with their masterpiece. The brilliance actually lies in the simplicity of its design. By utilizing the principles of joinery, the pieces interlock without the need for screws or adhesives, forming a structure that is remarkably sturdy and surprisingly lightweight.
The genius of the Cuna bench lies in its versatility. When assembled, it can be used in two different ways, depending on the user’s needs. In its standard configuration, it offers a beautifully curved seating area for one person. However, flip it upside down, and an additional layer of cardboard transforms it into a conventional flat bench, capable of potentially seating an extra person. This dual-purpose functionality extends further; the flat-top version can also serve as a table. With two of these benches, you have a complete set—a low table and chairs—perfect for various settings, from hosting parties to day-to-day living.
Despite being made of cardboard, Cuna is surprisingly comfortable. The 6-8mm thickness of the cardboard provides a firm yet yielding surface, which is gentle on the body. The curved design provides a cozy seating experience, with the sides acting as convenient armrests or even as a place to set down a cup or phone. When placed against a wall, it even acts as a makeshift backrest. Furthermore, it can serve as a daybed, allowing you to rest on one side while placing your legs on the other.
Cuna is an ideal option for a wide range of scenarios. Whether you are a student on a budget, a bachelor looking for practical and sustainable furniture or a new homeowner looking to add both comfort and sustainability to your space, Cuna fits the bill perfectly.
The next time you unbox a new TV, microwave, or even the humble pizza, think twice before discarding the packaging. With Cuna, you can repurpose that cardboard, transforming it into a functional piece of furniture that adds an element of sustainability and comfort to your living space.
Born from discarded seafood shells, SEAD merges tradition with innovation, offering eco-friendly pods for heirloom seeds. It’s a journey of reimagined agriculture, where waste transforms into a resource and every seed sown signifies sustainability. SEAD’s design mirrors ecological harmony and agricultural resilience, promising a greener future. Join the movement where innovation blossoms and sustainability flourishes, one seed, one pod at a time.
SEAD represents more than just packaging; it embodies a sustainable ethos by repurposing waste material into a valuable resource. Its inception showcases the potential of replacing virgin materials with recycled alternatives, contributing to a circular economy and reducing environmental impact.
At the heart of SEAD lies the preservation of heirloom seeds, varieties passed down through generations, each carrying a rich history and cultural significance. Heirloom seeds, with their diverse traits and adaptability, play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
The use of chitin (pronounced kai-tun) in SEAD packaging not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional materials but also brings agricultural benefits. Chitin, and its derivatives, act as bio-stimulants, enhancing seed germination, and promoting crop growth. Its natural properties boost plant defenses against pests and diseases while improving water retention in adverse conditions.
Crafted through a meticulous three-step pressing process, SEAD packaging demonstrates the remarkable self-binding ability of chitin, eliminating the need for additional agents. Laser-engraved labeling ensures traceability without the use of inks or dyes, aligning with SEAD’s commitment to sustainability.
Inspired by nature’s design, SEAD packaging mimics the structure of fruits and vegetables, providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing solution. The innovative design features creases that allow for easy tearing, enabling users to plant seeds conveniently while keeping the rest of the packaging intact.
SEAD offers a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture, combining ecological principles with practical innovation. By seamlessly integrating packaging with planting, SEAD promotes zero-waste practices and fosters a deeper connection between consumers and the environment.
Just in four simple steps: Break pods along perforated lines, gently crush for better seed exposure, plant enriched seeds, and store remaining bars conveniently. These actions seamlessly integrate eco-friendly practices into gardening routines, fostering a deeper connection with the environment. Each step contributes to a greener future, promoting sustainability and preserving heirloom seeds. With SEAD, every seed sown signifies a commitment to ecological harmony and agricultural resilience, paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.
SEAD’s innovative seed packaging, crafted from discarded seafood shells, faces cultural barriers in regions like India and Mexico, where pure vegetarianism is prevalent. Mixing seafood with vegetables may encounter resistance due to dietary preferences. Convincing individuals adhering to strict vegetarian or vegan diets of SEAD’s ecological benefits requires careful communication. Despite these challenges, SEAD offers a sustainable option for open-minded consumers committed to environmental conservation. It’s crucial to acknowledge cultural sensitivities and cater to diverse preferences.
Introducing you to your drink’s new best friend – the Cool Line Liquor Bottle series… It’s not your ordinary bottle; it’s a magician’s hat of sorts, hiding not one, not two, but four secret compartments for your favorite drinks. Crafted from durable stainless steel and lined with a safety coating, it’s as tough as it is reliable. Amping up your indoor and outdoor parties and catering to varied choices in a compact form.
Designer: Quan Yuan
At first glance, the liquor bottle appears to defy convention. Its sleek and modern aesthetic diverges from the familiar silhouette of standard liquor bottles. Yet, beyond its striking exterior lies a remarkable fusion of form and function, carefully crafted to cater to the evolving preferences of contemporary consumers.
Imagine picking up a pencil and drawing in the air. With this bottle, those lines come to life in 3D! The designer took simple lines and turned them into a cool, futuristic liquor bottle. It’s not just about looks though – it’s super practical too. By smoothly combining thick lines and introducing a novel joint mechanism, the designer transforms ordinary lines into a tangible 3D representation of a liquor bottle. You can store not one, not two, but four different types of liquor in one bottle! How cool is that?
The transformative nature of this design extends beyond its visual appeal. Each unit comprises a pair of linear tubes, offering a unique solution for housing multiple varieties of liquor. The main upper tube, equipped with a convenient screw cap, facilitates easy pouring of the main liquor. Meanwhile, the C-shaped base tube, cleverly integrated with the joint mechanism, adds an element of versatility. By simply adjusting the position and unscrewing the cap, users can access a secondary liquor stored within the base tube.
Moreover, this bottle boasts not only innovation in form but also in material composition. Crafted from premium 304 stainless steel and featuring a food-grade inner coating, it ensures both durability and safety in beverage storage. The outer packaging, comprising cardboard, EVA-base, PET sheets, and acrylic plates, further enhances its appeal as a premium product.
Behind the scenes, extensive research and experimentation have paved the way for the realization of this groundbreaking design. The designer carefully looked at lots of other bottles to see what young people like. Through iterative prototyping and 3D printing, the optimal joint mechanism and tube thickness were determined, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Undoubtedly, the journey of designing this liquor bottle was not without its challenges. The development of the joint mechanism, in particular, posed a challenging obstacle. Yet, through creativity and perseverance, the designer succeeded in creating a mechanism that allows for fluid rotation of the main tube while ensuring stability and balance.
I’m not a golfer myself, but I imagine that for people who DO golf, carrying your equipment around can be quite an elaborate affair… given that you’re constantly moving from one spot to another. Golf clubs usually have their large bag that you transport them in, but as far as golf balls go, I’m not entirely sure I’ve seen any well-designed container for them. For designers at superkomma, that sounded like a perfect design opportunity – meet the Attomax Golf Pouch, a spiral hard-case that lets you store as well as deploy golf balls with ease.
The GIF above explains everything you need to understand about the Attomax Golf Pouch. Two spiral-shaped containers thread into one another, allowing you to expand or contract the case simply by twisting and turning the lower element. Use the case to store golf balls, and every time you need a new one, simply twist to make the case shorter, allowing the golf ball at the bottom to rise to the top. It’s a simple, yet delightful user experience that serves its purpose well, is memorable, and will probably have your fellow golfers asking you where you got the pouch from!
Simplicity is the name of the Attomax pouch’s game. Its form is deceptively rudimentary, relying on a basic geometric spiral that catches light beautifully, along with a two-tone container design. The pouch is compact, yet big enough to hold probably 4 golf balls at a time, although you’ll still need to carry your tees separately (those tiny skewers you perch your golf balls on before swinging). The Attomax comes with a lid to hold the balls in place (obviously), but also has a nice leash that your caddy can string around their leash so they always have the next ball ready for when you need to take a shot.
The pouch was designed for Attomax, a reputed golf brand known for making the world’s first high-density golf ball using amorphous metal alloy. superkomma pointed out that the idea of using two different colors for the container’s separate halves wasn’t just an aesthetic choice, it also helped users intuitively determine how many golf balls were inside the case simply by seeing the ‘ratio’ between the two colors based on how expanded or contracted the case was. For example, if the purple half is just as long as the blue half, the case has 4 balls. Any shorter and you’re down to three balls. If the purple half has been turned to its maximum point (where it’s barely visible), the case has anywhere from 1 to 2 golf balls.
Everyone is into aesthetics these days, focusing on what catches the eye right away but as designers, sustainability is a really popular and important discussion. When it comes to products, packaging is key. It’s the first thing you notice on the shelf, especially when there are a lot of options to choose from. Good packaging can make a product stand out and leave a lasting impression on you. That’s where this innovative honey jar design comes in. It holds honey but goes beyond just being a jar. It looks like a beehive and is made from eco-friendly materials. It’s not just about honey – it’s about appreciating nature and making choices that help our planet while making a product successful.
This innovative packaging embodies the essence of nature’s bounty while seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetics. Crafted to hold one of the most treasured natural delicacies – honey, this packaging transcends conventional design by offering consumers an experience that extends far beyond the initial purchase.
At its core, this packaging design serves as a testament to sustainability and versatility. Once the honey has been savored and enjoyed, consumers are encouraged to repurpose the container as a storage vessel for an array of items, ranging from homemade jams to spices and dried fruits. This thoughtful approach not only adds value to the product but also promotes a sustainable lifestyle by reducing waste.
One of the most striking features of this packaging design lies in its wooden labels, each meticulously crafted to reflect the natural habitats of bees. Drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of forests, mountains, and plains, these labels transport consumers into the enchanting world of bees, fostering a deeper connection to nature with every glance. Complementing these visuals is the inclusion of a wooden door, serving as a poignant reminder of the organic origins of the product and further enhancing its natural appeal.
In a market flooded with choices, discerning consumers seek only the finest and highest quality honey. With its distinctive hexagonal form inspired by the intricate design of a beehive, this packaging design instantly communicates purity and naturalness. The geometric precision of the honeycomb motif not only captivates the eye but also evokes a sense of authenticity and trust, making it a preferred choice among honey connoisseurs.
Beyond its functional attributes, this packaging design exudes an air of luxury and sophistication that is simply unparalleled. Its unique aesthetic and attention to detail make it a coveted item for gift-giving, elevating the act of presenting honey into a memorable and cherished experience. Crafted from a harmonious combination of glass and wood, this packaging exudes elegance and durability. Nestled within a sturdy box, it ensures that the precious contents remain safe and secure, while also adding a touch of opulence to any setting.
Undoubtedly, the creation of this exceptional packaging presented its fair share of challenges. From sourcing the appropriate materials to designing specialized tools and technology, every aspect was carefully considered and executed to perfection. Yet, it is precisely this dedication to craftsmanship and innovation that sets this packaging design apart, making it an enduring symbol of excellence in the realm of product packaging.
How many times have you had to buy a separate smaller bottle of your favorite shampoo for travel? Even if you rely on those tiny shampoo bottles that come complimentary with your hotel room, it’s still an extra bottle that you now have to worry about. The Carry On is a simple, borderline-genius solution that gives you a dedicated travel mini-bottle with your existing at-home shampoo bottle. With a compact design that conveniently comes packaged with your regular bottle of shampoo, the Carry On’s mini bottle can be carried around with you on your travels, and refilled whenever you’re running low, so you don’t need to stress out about buying an additional smaller bottle separately to travel with.
Designer: Yeo Seo Koo
A winner of this year’s Asia Design Prize, the Carry On is an economy-sized 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) bottle of shampoo that comes with its own handle built into the bottle’s design. Except, when you buy it off the shelf, the handle has a perfectly-fitting carry bottle nestled into it like a jigsaw-puzzle piece. When you buy one larger bottle, you get a small one for free that’s the ideal size for your toiletry kit. At 50ml (1.7 fl oz), the shampoo bottle easily gets you through a week-long holiday (you won’t shampoo everyday, obviously) comfortably, allowing you to use your favorite shampoo instead of using those substandard ones that come free with your hotel room.
There are a few things about Carry On that are definitely award-worthy. For starters, getting a smaller bottle free with a larger bottle isn’t new – but Carry On’s implementation is genius. It fits the tiny bottle right in the negative space created by the larger bottle’s handle design. This is usually dead space that gets wasted during logistics, but the clever integration allows the Carry On to use that hollow area efficiently. Moreover, let’s also appreciate the fact that the mini bottle (either by coincidence or by design) has a rounded design that looks like a bar of soap, immediately creating that toiletry-based association! Clever, no?!
While there’s a conscious effort to remove plastic from our regular consumption, it still manages to play a pretty large (and unavoidable) role in packaging. Whether it’s shrink wrap, bubble wrap, sellotape, or even styrofoam… it seems like getting plastic out of packaging may just be an impossible task. However, a German company is working on an alternative to replace styrofoam in packaging. Their solution? A cushioning material made out of grain husks.
The intended purpose of a product’s packaging is simply to help it cover the journey from factory to consumer. After it’s made this journey, a product’s packaging ends up becoming waste. Scale that up to account for the population of the world and just how many products we buy in a single given day or week, and you’ll realize what a massive problem we have on hand. Sure, it’s easier to recycle cardboard boxes and I can even stretch that argument to bubblewrap or foam peanuts… but it’s nearly impossible to recycle molded styrofoam pieces because they’re specifically designed to hold a certain product and can’t be used anywhere else. Conventional styrofoam is made by passing a foaming agent through plastic, causing it to bubble up into the lightweight styrofoam you use today. Given that it’s essentially made by combining plastic and air, recycling styrofoam as a material is borderline impossible… but replacing it isn’t.
Proservation’s solution is a product called Recou – a ‘molded’ packaging material that’s made from grain husk (which is also what nature uses to package grains!) When grains are harvested, the husk or chaff is removed and either discarded, burned, or used as animal bedding. Proservation has a clever alternative solution – upcycle this husk into a soft, impact-resistant material that does the job of styrofoam, while essentially being biodegradable. The husk is collected and bound together using a proprietary bio-based binder. The overall product has the same properties as styrofoam, but can be easily discarded or even composted.
“Thanks to our specially developed ecological binder, RECOU can be shaped as desired, and due to comparable material properties, it has the potential to substitute petrochemical packaging solutions such as EPS (Styrofoam) and represent an ecologically sound alternative for many applications,” says Proservation.
Proservation is hoping that Recou can replace a major bulk of styrofoam in the current packaging ecosystem. The material has the ability to be molded just like styrofoam, albeit with a few limitations given the size of an individual husk. It takes anywhere from 6-8 hours to make each piece, and the overall product has a density of 120 to 150 kg/m³, which seems to be the one significant limiting factor, given that styrofoam weighs nearly 70% less. Recou is also designed to resist moisture and humidity, showing no signs of mold when stored at 70% humidity for up to a week… “However, if the material is permanently exposed to high humidity or moisture, the decomposition processes start and mold may occur,” the company says.
For industries/companies interested in transitioning to Recou, Proservation does sell a few standard products like corner-cushions for palettes, and is also open to molding specific products based on requirements. The company plans to have an industrial plant operational by some time in 2024, scaling up production for this unique no-waste bio-based alternative to styrofoam.
Ever found yourself tossing out perfectly good food just because the expiration date on the package said so? Well, Kimia Amir-Moazami, a UDK Berlin graduate, has an awesome solution for that – the Vorkoster Lid. This cool 3D-printed lid is here to put an end to unnecessary food waste by giving you a heads-up on whether your food is still good, without relying solely on those conventional expiry dates.
So, the Vorkoster Lid is not your average lid – it’s got a pH-sensitive foil in the middle that can sniff out if your meat or fish is starting to turn bad. When these foods get spoiled, they release ammonia gas, and this clever foil, made from algae and coated in a special dye, changes color from light green to bright purple. It’s like a neon sign for your food – “Eat me now!” or “Better find something else.”
Kimia makes a valid point about the confusion surrounding expiration dates contributing significantly to food wastage. The Vorkoster Lid aims to revolutionize this by tapping into our natural senses, similar to recognizing the browning of a banana peel or the smell of sour milk, guiding us to make informed decisions. It acts as the superhero of your fridge, ensuring nothing unnecessarily goes to waste. Kimia’s dislike for standardized expiry dates is well-founded, acknowledging that factors like cooling interruptions during food transport and production can hamper the shelf life. The Vorkoster Lid, armed with pH functionality, responds directly to a food item’s freshness regardless of its origin or packaging, challenging the dominance of one-size-fits-all expiration dates. It’s a rebellious solution to a common problem.
The Vorkoster Lid is a chameleon, if I may say. It is designed to cover any type of tub or bowl, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with various containers. Its versatility allows consumers to use it across different types of packaging, serving as a reminder to consume that deliciousness before it turns into science experiment leftovers.
Amir-Moazami drew inspiration from the common practice of using a plate to cover food in the fridge, creating a design that fits any bowl or container. The star of the show is the pH-reactive film that takes the guesswork out of checking your food’s freshness. First shown off in 2021, the Vorkoster Lid made its mark at Dutch Design Week. Amir-Moazami anticipates that the Vorkoster Lid could hit shelves within the next two years, following thorough testing to ensure flawless functionality.
With food waste being such a burgeoning problem (and a leading cause of carbon emissions), the Vorkoster Lid is like a breath of fresh air – or should we say, a bite of fresh food. It’s not just a lid; it’s a game-changer. By offering a visual and analog reminder of a food item’s freshness, this 3D-printed wonder might just be the hero we need to kick food waste to the curb and savor every last bite.
In the world of packaging innovation, United Caps and Mimica have teamed up to introduce a groundbreaking solution for ensuring food safety – the Mimica Bump Cap. These specially designed bottle caps provide a tactile indication of the freshness of the contents, offering a reliable method for distinguishing whether a product has spoiled.
Originally conceived with the visually impaired in mind, the Mimica Bump Cap has evolved into a versatile tool that benefits a broader audience. For individuals who cannot rely on visual cues such as best-by dates, these caps offer a tactile alternative to determine the freshness of the product. Moreover, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where loss of smell became a prevalent symptom, these caps become invaluable to those who can no longer smell and determine the freshness of products.
These caps contain a patented gel technology that activates upon the first opening of the beverage. This innovative gel doesn’t come into direct contact with the beverage contents, maintaining a hygienic barrier. Instead, it utilizes a combination of time and temperature to accurately gauge the freshness of the product. The simplicity of the technology ensures that consumers can easily interpret the status of their beverage.
Reading the Mimica Bump Cap is a straightforward process. A smooth swipe across the surface of the cap indicates that the beverage is still fresh and safe for consumption. However, a bumpy texture suggests that the contents have started to spoil, prompting users to be cautious. This intuitive design makes it accessible to a wide range of consumers, regardless of their visual or olfactory abilities.
The versatility of this cap extends to its compatibility with a variety of perishable products, including milk and juices. As these caps rely on the fundamental principles of time and temperature, they can be effectively employed across a spectrum of goods, ensuring that consumers can trust the freshness of their purchases and store them aptly for waste reduction.
By incorporating the Mimica Bump Cap into their packaging, companies can elevate consumer confidence in the quality and safety of their products. The transparency offered by these caps empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their purchases, reducing the likelihood of consuming spoiled or expired goods.
Ultimately, the Mimica Bump cap helps boost sustainability too, allowing people to rely on real metrics instead of an arbitrary expiry date. This helps people ensure they’re eating fresh food, and finishing their perishables before they expire. Approximately 17% of global food production ends up getting wasted, but the Mimica Bump Cap can help reduce that.
