Package Design | packagedesignmag.com

(December 2009) posted on Fri Jan 22, 2010

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Zotos continues to lead the charge to reduce long-term ecological impact within the professional hair care industry. The company recently asked Diamond Packaging, a leader in innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, to design and manufacture environmentally friendly cartons for its line of hair color products.
Since making ecological sustainability a key goal, Zotos has prioritized the use of recyclable materials and post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins, with the end goal of reducing landfill volume. As part of this initiative, Zotos has taken steps to reduce its global footprint through the use of biodegradable packaging, including folding cartons. Zotos view all of these initiatives as key marketing goals for the company as well.

The packaging project for Joico hair color products included Vero K-PAK Hair Color, Vero K-PAK Hair Chrome, re:nu Age Defy, Color Fix for Men, ISO i.color, and ISO i.luminate. The brief emphasized that the new packaging must reflect the company’s emphasis on environmental solutions. To understand the customer’s requirements better, members of Diamond’s Green Team visited Zotos’ fulfillment center to review paperboard options and assess the compatibility with their existing filling equipment.

As part of its corporate mission, Diamond Packaging is committed to working toward a cleaner environment, investing in researching, designing, and implementing packaging solutions that are innovative and sustainable.
The core of Diamond’s “greenbox initiative”—designs, materials, and methods—represents a comprehensive approach to packaging that minimizes environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Emphasis also focuses on renewable energy, our carbon footprint, and education.

The greenbox initiative balances business with environmental considerations by promoting sustainability in all aspects of package production, including design, materials, and methods. Diamond believes that true sustainability optimizes the value of packaging through every phase of its life cycle, from design to end of use.
The Zotos cartons were converted from solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard to .016 WCCN recycled board, which resulted in saving 2,725 pulp trees. The board features a smooth printing surface, ideal for eye-catching graphic reproduction. The smooth texture of the aqueous-coated board also contributes to problem-free operation on the filling lines.

The cartons were manufactured using 100% wind energy and produced on 100% recycled paperboard containing an average of 35% post consumer waste (PCW).
All cartons feature on-pack eco visuals, including a “Carton made with 100% Wind Energy” logo. Based upon the total projected annualized output, the environmental benefit of using wind energy during production of the packaging is equal to offsetting approximately 68 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the impact of which is equivalent to planting 61 acres of trees or not driving 157,973 miles.

Diamond Packaging’s practices are green by nature. They design and manufacture packaging with sustainability in mind, and the three components of their greenbox initiative on top of mind:

Designs – The Diamond process incorporates tools that review existing designs in an effort to refine and make our customers’ packaging better—and greener. This includes Walmart’s Package Modeling software and ArtiosCAD for structural design.
Materials – Diamond carefully evaluates all materials and suppliers in an effort to make the best recommendation for its customers’ products. Diamond’s suppliers include Potlatch, a paperboard supplier that has earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and is recognized by The Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit international conservation organization, for integrating environmental and social sustainability into their work.

Methods – From concept to completion, Diamond’s approach to package design addresses sustainability throughout the supply chain. This includes incorporating best practices at the plant level, such as recycling, process improvements, energy efficiency, and resource recovery and waste management.