When I was younger, every Christmas I would get at least one toy in that dreaded clamshell packaging. The impenetrable plastic fortress taunting me as it stands between me and the action figure I’ve been waiting for weeks to play with. In a child’s grasp of time, that’s like Continue reading
Beginning June 19, head on over to Chicago to take part in the Sustainability in Manufacturing trade show, being put on by Canon Trade Shows. The event will take place in Chicago at the McCormick Place North for three days, June 19-21. Those attending can not only visit for the first time, or perhaps make a return visit to the lovely downtown Chicago area, to take advantage of the many sights and attractions the city is able to offer Continue reading
The color of a product’s packaging is essential to its success or failure. I really don’t know the difference between brands and different varieties of toothpaste or soap. So when I go shopping for toiletries, I usually buy what is cheap or go for something that has orange on the package because orange is my favorite color and the product has a chance to taste like oranges or Continue reading
Packaging Image courtesy of Jonco Industries, Inc.
McDonald’s shareholders recently proposed a resolution by As You Sow to re-evaluate the use of foam cups. Shareholder support for the resolution was nearly 30 percent, which is the highest vote any As You Sow proposal has received regarding recycling. The company is now initiating a program to phase out the polystyrene beverage cups. McDonald’s is currently testing double-walled paper hot cups at Continue reading
Packaging image courtesy of Assemblies Unlimited Inc.
Glue Dots International, or GDI, has introduced a new development in packaging technology. GDI has made an adhesive applicator that is designed to seamlessly seal corrugated food and beverage packaging. The QuikDot Pro was designed for packaging repair to reduce the cost of broken package return. It was made as an easy to use, palm fitting time saver. It was specifically made more corrugated food and Continue reading
Packaging Design image courtesy of Valk Industries, Inc.
Is online shopping having an effect on packaging design? According to a new study, “packaging in an online world,” conducted by Canadian based branding and design firm Shikatani Lacroix, the post-purchase experience of online shopping is a critical moment for packaging. The goal of the study was to understand how the development of online sales has impacted packaging. The biggest change was found to be in the post-purchase stage of the online experience. Packaging design is Continue reading
Contract Packaging image courtesy of Preferpack.
Scientific and economic progress can be attributed to specialization. Societies progress when people focus on a task they excel in and trade their goods or services with one another. A modern example of this is contract packaging or fulfillment service. Why would a company pay to outsource all its packaging? Wouldn’t it be easier to do all packaging and shipping in-house, creating less steps toward a finished product? Well some companies don’t have the facilities or manpower to pull this off. It is much more efficient to get a company that specializes in packaging and Continue reading
Blister packaging image courtesy of MARC, Inc.
In March, Global Industry Analysts, Inc., one of the most recognized market research firms in the world, published a report that analyzes the worldwide markets for blister and other high visibility packaging. In the report, the global blister packaging market is predicted to exceed $37 billion by 2018. Factors that contribute to this predicted growth include the consumer confidence that goes along with blister packaging. Potential customers seem to be more likely to buy a product when Continue reading
Food packaging image courtesy of Aaron Thomas Company, Inc.
The controversy over the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, persists after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected a petition demanding a ban on the chemical in food packaging. The FDA stated that there was not enough scientific evidence to justify a change in current regulations. Supporters of the ban believe BPA contains properties that are similar to hormones. The chemical can normally be easily eliminated through the kidneys but Continue reading
Mushrooms may no longer be reserved for eating. Packaging engineer and environmental director Sam Harrington as well as many others at Green Island, say mushrooms can be used as a raw material for packaging. The commercial packaging is made out of the root structure of mushrooms, or the mycelium. This is the part that feeds on agricultural waste to derive energy, not the part that generates spores. The goal is Continue reading