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#1 Inclusive burger packaging design makes life easier for less able consumers
McDonald’s India West and South has launched a new packaging format that has been created to make their products more inclusive. The new burger packaging design coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD). The aim is make the McDonald’s experience enjoyable for all and has been created over months of development. The current packaging typically requires customers to use both their hands to enjoy the food, which makes it difficult for those with upper-limb disabilities. The new EatQual pack addresses the challenge to ensure that everyone can bite into their favourite burgers easily. The new packaging will be available across all McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India. The idea for the packaging came from Indian integrated marketing communications agency DDB Mudra.
#2 Ultra-thin food-grade film made using 30% recycled plastic
Charlotte, North Carolina-headquartered Sealed Air continues to strive towards creating 100% recyclable or reusable packaging solutions by 2025. The business has announced the introduction of an ultra-thin, food-grade film made using recycled plastic. The new soft plastic CRYOVAC rBDF S10 film contains Certified Circular Resins (CCR). The film is made using up to 30% food-grade CCR, which is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC). Along with its levels of recycled plastic content, the new film can also contribute to further enhance sustainability through its ultra-thin barrier. It is just 21 microns, which is a third lighter than HFFS (Horizontal Form Fill and Seal) packs and three times thinner than other thermoformable films available on the market. The use of CCR in CRYOVAC Brand rBDF S10 Film complements the shrink packaging’s ultra-thin, high resistance and anti-fog performance. The high gloss finish and transparent clarity of film can help to enhance the appearance of food. The film can be used to wrap foods with or without trays. The overwrap film combined with modified atmosphere is applicable for use for meat, fish, cheese as well as convenience food and ready meals.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Reusable pizza packaging continues German trial
The introduction of a deposit for pizza boxes and other takeaway packaging has been touted in Nuremberg and some other German cities as a way to keep public areas clean and tackle single-use takeaway packaging waste. Customers would have to pay a refundable deposit for the packaging. The COVID-19 pandemic means that German restaurants can only sell take-away meals, which is exacerbating the problem. The problem with polystyrene food to go packaging is that it is not recycled and may take years to decompose. Greasy cardboard boxes are also difficult to recycle. A new reusable box for pizza is being tested as way to combat these challenges. The Pizzabow solution is made of recyclable plastic and has a universal size with all pizzerias using the same type of box. For hygiene reasons, pizza is served on paper trays, which helps to reduce cardboard use by up to 55%. When the pizza is handed over, the consumers takes it out of the green bowl, which is easy to do thanks to the tabs on the cardboard tray. Consumers simply stack the empty bowls back on top of each other and give them back to the pizza delivery person. See also Returnable packaging can be used several times by San Francisco restaurants.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Embedded printed electronics for fragrance brand designed to engage
German studio Look Labs has launched Cyber eau de parfum. It is a unisex fragrance that incorporates an illuminated label utilising embedded printed electronics to deliver a strong sustainability message. Printed electronics technology has been used with an aim to make the product resonate with a younger generation of smart and tech-savvy consumers. The perfume bottle has also been designed to be refillable. When consumers press the power button, the word Cyber lights up in a bright red light with both the recycling and earth symbols blinking to act as a reminder for consumers to pay more attention to the environment. The perfume retails for $280 for a 100 ml bottle and refills are available to order on the brand’s website. See also OLED enabled drink bottles engage and delight.
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CEO Neil Cashman discusses Snapsil’s range of easy to use packaging innovations for the pharmaceutical and medical markets. You can watch here.
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Until next time. Happy innovating.
