CATEGORY - Packaging

For more 'informational' packaging-related sources:

ARTICLES

Gaurdian - Supermarkets failing to reduce packaging

LetsRecycle - Councils call for urgent action over packaging

Indy - From tomatoes to yoghurts, soap powder to beer, the packaging that infuriates you
...and for the rest, there's Junkk.com. There are some.. too many examples of egregious excess packaging.

But it is worth asking... why do it? And challenge the answers. It may be the additional costs, and bad PR of having such things may have a valid, eco-supportive reason. If not... are they bonkers? This stuff costs them, and hence us... extra money. Odd sales model.

And while reduction is tops (where possible/enviROI-sensible), before we get to recycling may I insert a small flag for reuse and repair... and a funny little notion to help them along on http://www.junkk.com

Sometimes it is possible, to work with what we've got, change what were getting, and in so doing help pocket and planet... whilst having some fun.

INFORMATION

scrapthispack.com - Not exactly 'pro', but a worthy source of what is out there, especially to excess.

WRAP - What packaging does - Silly billies. They have forgotten to mention us... again. Tempting as it is to return the compliment, we will mention them.

packagingnews - Environment Report 2009 - oddly, little industry comment at all, as yet. Let's see what I can do:)

Introduction - Reuse gets a mention:) Junkk.com does not:( I have tried to rectify that:

"reusable packaging is a great idea that hasn’t really hit the mainstream"
Indeed. But its time is coming.
'Is now the time to bring back reusable packaging'
Yes, along with packaging with second use designed-in, in complement. As has Gillette, evidently. I'd love to see it.
'the packaging is designed to be kept then more time and resources can be dedicated to it.'
Worth it, I'd say. As you mention ecover, they do too. Even without designed-in, for now. They have uploaded all their packs to Junkk.com, with reuse ideas attached.
"The packaging still represents the brand when it is being reused'
A key point. Imagine the value of valued, branded, packaging, retained.
'To encourage customers to keep and reuse their empty packaging... requires changes in customer behaviour.'
For sure, but worth it, IMHO.
'It requires retailers to give up shelf space'
Or... not at all.

Review of the year
Fears of recycling meltdown, bin taxes, carrier bags - all the environment stories that have hit the headlines over the past 12 months

Where waste really goes
Forget the sensationalist headlines and recycling naysayers; we visit a London borough to discover the truth about our kerbside collections

Drinks industry calls time on CO2
Beer producers are working hard to manage the sector's environmental impact. But what is the best material for the job?

A burning question
Energy from waste continues to be a contentious issue, but with the size of the population only going one way, now could be the time to invest

The space race
As online shopping increases the need for products to keep purchases safe in transit, many new eco-conscious void fillers are coming to market

How green is the material world?
As lighter packs and cutting carbon footprints remain at the top of the industry's green agenda, how do the major packaging materials stack up?

Of course, another acorn in reducing the impact of plastic materials is designed-in reuse, possibly with such as RE:tie?

The benefits of bioplastics
Myles Barker of cereals body the HGCA argues that using the controversial plastics could help the industry, and the country, tackle emissions

Worthy of linking to the Plastics, Composting and Plastic Bags links below.

The age of the green machine
Is a lack of clear information and dearth of support from the big players stifling the development of ‘eco' machines?

See the light and cut energy costs
As firms search for new ways to tighten their belts, energy-efficient lighting could bring vital savings

Packaging's environmental impact
Eco-design consultancy Giraffe Innovation's Rob Holdway examines the benefits of managing the carbon footprint of packaging

Refills get on-shelf road test
Reusable packaging has fallen out of favour due to issues with convenience and conformity, but that could be set to change