Now I could spend time describing the package and materials used in the construction and the manufacturing process along with a few points about the value to retailers in regards to tamper-proof packaging and on and on but why? The message here is how do we deal with the frustration level with packaging like this? This package (as well as the product) is made in China and done at a very low price point. The product cost about $5.00. It is a Multi-Purpose Utility Scissors. And for only $5.00? When I went to grab a pair of scissors to open the package I noticed a pair of expensive ones in my boss’s office and wondered if they came in the same style of packaging. I know the price point was much higher and I am sure the packaging was superior in design and construction.

Well thought out packaging reflects on the product’s brand as well as everyone involved in the process to get the item to market. Consumers can tell when they are getting a good or great deal of value for the products they buy. How many times have you realized that you get what you pay for? Even when you thought you were going to get something great for a really, really low, rock bottom price only to realize that you bought an inferior product?

The packaging should provide you with enough clues to the quality and value of the product. Think about it the next time you shop. Notice the packaging and then the price of the products and you should be able to choose what to buy. Packaging is like movie trailers. You can watch 5 minutes of a preview and determine the quality of the film being shown and decide if you want to spend money viewing it.

So if you want to lower the frustration level when it comes to opening packages, get the good ones as you’ll be purchasing the better product and experience. Unless you enjoy throwing the package on the floor, cursing like a sailor and basically making a fool of yourself.

Oh, and by the way, I did notice on the back of the package a warning stated that one should cut carefully around the edge of the blister and that the user and bystander should wear safety goggles when opening the package.

For more information regarding our packaging capabilities, go to: http://www.ctipack.com

TerraCycle develops recycling for disposable diapers

By Chrissy Kadleck

TRENTON, N.J. (Jan. 24, 11 a.m. ET) — One of the dirtiest and most demonized portions of the municipal waste stream may soon be diverted from landfills.

Developing a recycling solution for used disposable diapers, a biological amalgam of complexity, has been a top priority of the global research and development team at TerraCycle Inc., a Trenton-based company whose mission is to create innovative solutions for waste streams.

TerraCycle’s team of scientists, led by Ernie Simpson, global vice president of research and development, is about to put a clothespin on its formula that will render dirty diapers into a material suitable for plastic lumber, pallets and outdoor furniture.

“We have come up with a continuous method of collecting the material, processing the materials using various methods for sterilization, testing and processing and certain parts of the diaper will be compostable,” Simpson said. “We are 90 percent of the way there with only a small portion of the process yet to be completed. I expect that will happen in the first quarter of 2012.”

Albe Zakes, TerraCycle’s global vice president of media relations, said the company is excited about the process.

“We think it could revolutionize the use of disposable diapers,” Zakes said.

TerraCycle hopes to launch the diaper recycling program in September. He is hopeful the program will be sponsored by Huggies Brand, its partner in collecting diaper packaging, but the program will accept diapers of any kind.

“We will roll it out in test markets by setting up these smell- and contaminant-proof collection containers [much like the Diaper Genie on a grand scale] at daycare centers and will also offer smaller shipping containers for personal use,” he said.

Zakes said the company will “reach out to the couple hundred [daycare centers] already in our program to see who wants to be involved” and the first 25 which volunteer will become the test markets.

“[Recycling] used diapers was a pretty tall order. It’s solving the most complex waste stream known right now in the U.S. There is no more complicated waste stream than that,” said Simpson. “The collection and subsequent disposal [of diapers] in large cities is a tremendous burden. If they can be recycled into useable products, that is a bonus for just about any large city.”

Simpson said his team of about 10 has worked on developing the solution for less than a year. The impetus for this endeavor came from TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky.

“When Tom Szaky comes to me and says, ‘Make it happen,’ that’s how it starts, and I have to make it happen,” he said. “It’s a matter of the intensity and forward-thinking of the CEO is why we are where we are today.”

Simpson wouldn’t reveal much about the recycling process, other than to say his team used standard processes for the plastics industry, but those processes are “innovative in how our formulas are put together.”

To learn more about our efforts in sustainable packaging and what we offer go to http://www.ctipack.com

]]> http://packagetalk.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/recycling-old-faithful-and-doing-it-justice/feed/ 0 packageman laptop http://packagetalk.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/some-brands-are-just-reborn-for-another-generation/ http://packagetalk.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/some-brands-are-just-reborn-for-another-generation/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:59:02 +0000 packageman http://packagetalk.wordpress.com/?p=173 ]]>

Back in the 60′s there was a men’s cologne that came onto the market called Hai Karate. This was the “chick magnet” that was going to make magic for every guy. Women were going to flock to you the moment you doused some of this amazing liquid on your face. It was so unbelievable that you would need to perform various Karate moves to fend off the women. It was very comical but the stuff sold and men wore it thinking in the back of their minds “I sure hope this stuff does the trick for me.”

Then came English Leather which was followed by Brut, Musk for Men, Chaz (featuring a young Tom Sellick as the handsome spokesmodel), Polo and now full circle to Axe. English Leather, Brut, Musk Chaz and Polo were a bit more on the serious side compared to Hai Karate which allowed them to sell at a higher price. Serious always costs a bit more!

Now we come back to the funny bone of smelling good and we have the Axe line of men’s products. The commercials always show a guy who has some form of hygiene, body odor or messy, dirty hair issue which gets resolved immediately when using products by Axe. Did I say immediately? This stuff works as fast or faster than Hai Karate ever did. The funny part is that the guy never fights the women off. He just smirks and heads off into the sunset with them.

So even though Hai Karate died a sad death fighting off would be women lovers, Axe has risen to give all men the opportunity to take on all female comers. And I bet the men who wear it think in the back of their minds “I sure hope this stuff does the trick for me.”

So the point here is that some brands have a longer life than others based on a number of factors and themes can get played or used over and over and go from one brand to another in various forms.

I’m not sure but I think I saw English Leather still out there. It was right next to Musk for Men. Polo was on a higher priced shelf and I think Chaz went bye bye.

At left is a cigar box which I have on my desk at work. Inside it I keep numerous pens, pencils and other office items that I use regularly. Over the years I’ve had cardboard ones and other times I’ve been lucky enough to snatch the wooden boxes. These have more texture and character and some even come with dividers inside for easy sorting and compartmentalizing of items.

When we design packaging for our clients we consider sustainability in regards to materials and manufacturing. At times we also look into creating that “second life” for the package if possible. By second life I am referring to the examples mentioned above – not the avatar online world. We also look to see if the package can serve more of a purpose for some of the products thus lengthening its life prior to recycling or a landfill. Once we proposed using the package for an electronic device as a storage base (for both the product and the user manual) with charging capabilities for the product’s electrical needs.

We’re always curious to see if we can create that second life for the packages we design or if the consumer does so, as that seems to serve as the true testament of creativity. These second lives are a reflection of times and occurrences in society (financial recessions, cinematic events, etc.) and connecting these is somewhat serendipitous. All in all, it does show that packaging does serve more than just the role of containing a product and living a short life. If anything, it offers all of us the opportunity to look into sustainable options when possible.

This happens countless times with retail brands striving to achieve a unique quality or a noticeably different look and feel. They strive to stand out among the many other brands fighting for your attention. One of the outlets for this effort is in a brand’s packaging. How many products in the same market have similar packaging? You can tell which one originates a look and which follow with knock off designs. Do all laundry soap bottles need to look identical? When one varies the look more than the rest does it catch your eye? If so, then it has succeeded. It grabbed your attention just long enough for you to check out the product. This is the sign of successful and intelligent packaging.

As we enter stores doing our shopping we enjoy the conformity of where products are placed and hold expectations as to where to look for certain items. Along with this, we crave for some variety in what we see when shopping. The same old thing becomes boring and unfulfilling in so many ways. We want to be stimulated and aroused when we shop and packaging is the perfect opportunity for this.

So the next time you’re out shopping, look to see which products stand out and notice the differentiator responsible.

The two images shown here are student entries in the 2011 Dieline Packaging Awards that were held last month in Chicago. The first was in the food category and the other in the home and garden category. These are student projects and in the past usually fall short as they tend to be “pie in the sky” concepts and executions. However we are finding this is not so much the case in recent student work. The understanding of materials, processes and the present retail culture have shown us some really interesting solutions for a variety of products and challenges.

Probably the most enjoyable point of recognition as we see it is the factor of sustainability and the role it plays. This obviously includes the marriage of materials and graphics but functionality is the third and forgotten element that fills out the equation here. So note how these packages exude sustainability in their appearance and then see how their functionality works as the tip in to a fresh, simple and successful solution. Work that is well done.

Who knows, we may be contacting these future stars to come work with us at CTI!

Here is another article from the Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052702303499204576387774214424658-lMyQjAxMTAxMDIwMjEyNDIyWj.html

When we think of packaging and making it more sustainable or more friendly to the environment, we think in small circles of comfort. So often we never look past the obvious to realize the many possibilities for successful solutions. The picture I have posted of an energy efficient bulb is housed in a corrugated wrap that serves as an equally efficient package. This package was designed by a student at the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. It was done to show an alternative to present day common carton or blister packaging. A nice, simple and efficient solution to say the least.

Next is an example of a carrying case for coffee you might purchase for yourself and others on the go. It looks quite different from what we normally see – the pulp tray version of balancing the cups while navigating to a safe haven to distribute the bounty. This carrier you see is used in Germany and makes a social statement by allowing the device to not only carry the beverage in a safe manner, but to also allow graphics to come into play. Fun stuff when you think about it.

Finally, how do you like your beer? Or better yet, how many beers would you like? This design comes from Russia where a pub that manufactures its own brew came up with a simple way to transport the pints in a safe and sustainable way.

My point here with all this is how we can come up with simple and really pleasing and sustainable solutions to package products when we look outside our comfort zone. This will take some doing in part with our partners – the product manufacturers but it is our role to help educate them in what can be somewhat unique and viable solutions that promote their products and brand messages.

At Combined Technologies, we look at solving packaging challenges for our clients every day with the intent of giving them successful solutions in a sustainable way.