This CD contains a special two-hour Webinar broadcast from December 5, 2007, that detailed up-to-the-minute insights into the market forces affecting package design and sustainability. The dense program ...
By Ron Romanik
In concert with the special sustainability-themed December issue of Package Design Magazine, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Lyons Media Inc. presented a two-and-a-half hour webinar broadcast on December 5, 2007. Twelve distinguished panelists discussed a broad range of topics from packaging material reduction on a global scale to package design attitudes on an individual scale.
From survey questions asked during the program, webinar attendees expressed a level of urgency about being properly prepared for the coming changes. The vast majority, over 90%, said that sustainable packaging was a high or medium priority for 2008, and 43% said their company was planning on investing over $100,000 in sustainable initiatives in 2008. When asked what personnel they committing to working on sustainable packaging, 83% said that their company would have a team of sustainable professionals in place by the end of 2008, and 61% said that team would consist of at least three staff members.
Staying on message
A healthy portion of the webinar discussed ways companies can communicate their sustainable goals to customers. Three sponsor case studies during the webinar featured brands particularly committed to a top-to-bottom sustainable message.
Adam Collins, founder of Superfood Snacks, felt that his Certified Organic Goji Berry product needed a special package that would be natural, sustainable, and biodegradable. The Chocolate Goji Treats are packaged in a lamination of two NatureFlex films by Innovia Films. NatureFlex is the only metallized biodegradable film suitable for home composting because the level of metal is so small, and the film accepts solvent-based, water-based, or UV inks. The converter worked closely with Superfood Snacks and Innovia Films to achieve a structure that would ensure that the chocolate covered berries remained in perfect condition throughout their supply chain.
Zotos International, a leader in the professional hair care products industry, recently explored new packaging options for Joico VeroChrome™, a popular hair colorant. The packages for Zotos International's VeroChrome products have always incorporated a natural look to differentiate it from competing products. Diamond Packaging, located in Rochester, NY, chose Cascades' Prokote™ recycled board because Cascades' environmental management program is one of the most comprehensive, stringent, and innovative in the industry. The carton design is printed on the reverse side of the recycled board, and the smooth texture of the satin aqueous-coated board enhances the fine line art reproduction and improves operation on the filling lines.
The bird feeder company Droll Yankees is on a mission to educate consumers on the importance of making their surroundings healthier, to lead the category in sustainable packaging, and to be a role model. Their objectives for a new carton package were to decrease material, protect the environment, and promote forest management. Disc Graphics, located in Hauppauge, NY, developed a mini-flute folding carton for Droll Yankees using 100% recycled paper for the liner, and printed the top-sheet with clean source energy. Droll Yankees believes their mission portrays another detail behind building customer loyalty—being authentic and believable.
To order a complete copy of this informative webinar on CD, go to the Package Design Magazine website at www.packagedesignmag.com/webinars.shtml or call 610-296-3001 x104 and leave your contact information. The CD version is $19.99 for pre-registered attendees and $89.99 for non-attendees.
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