OUGD601 - Extended Essay Reading - Why shrink wrap a cucumber? by Laurel Miller and Stephen Aldridge

Notes and Quotes

pg 6

Introduction

- consumers don’t actually want packaging when buying a product

- packaging allows us to have safe, quality products from around the world, cheaply and conveniently – packaging allows us to have choice of quality products from around the world in a safe and cheap way, providing convenience.

- packaging is visible so is most associated with waste however it is only part of the resource draining system used to make products

- disposal of packaging provides a means for the consumer to personally help the environment 

- recycling makes the consumer feel good whilst also providing a practical way of getting rid of rubbish

- recycling makes the consumer choose which packaging can be recycled

- people want to help the environment but it is unclear for both consumer and designers which path is best

pg 8

- bioregionalism has a focus on local trading and agriculture rather than buying products from other countries

- environmental sustainability means replenishing the resources used to produce a product, to create a positive or neutral impact on the environment

- the aim of sustainable packaging is not possible so instead this idea describes ways in which materials are reduced in packaging  

- environmentally friendly as a term is vague

- currently the aim is to cause less damage to the environment rather than being sustainable

there is a competitive market for environmentally friendly materials 

- ‘sustainable’ materials are adopted without thought of social, ethical and environmental impacts elsewhere 

pg 10

- the planet has been able to put up with a level of industrialisation and consumerism, however change is needed as resources are finite

- packaging is a visible problem that diverts attention from other intense environmental problems caused by industry and use of fossil fuels

- a designer does not aim to make waste, but does have to consider the life and purpose of the product and packaging systems that exist 

- manufacturers who use excessive packaging are in the minority now

- manufacturers will reduce packaging because it cuts costs

- manufacturers have been forced by government and consumers to reduce environmental impact whilst still marketing their products effectively

- it is important for designers to use materials for packaging that actually have less environmental impact and not just those that claim to, so that a product does not just ‘appear’ green

pg 11

- for packaging to be environmentally friendly it does not have to compromise on its character 

- there are alternative ways of making packaging environmentally friendly without focusing on paper

- Minimising packaging can have a negative effect on a brand and does not necessarily reduce environmental impact

pg 15

- advertisers were a key reason for the surge in convenience food after the war, which allowed freedom from cooking and more choice in what they ate

- there was a change from quality to convenience

pg 16

- packaging is sort after because of convenience and the purchasing system

- Positives of packaging

-        Give physical protection to the product

-        Reduces tampering. Clam packs stop this, provide space for branding and display the product well, however they are wasteful

-        Pilfering is reduced through large packs which are difficult to hide

-        Shelf life is increased as it reduces atmospheric contact and can reduce decay time. This also is beneficial for retailers as it limits waste, stock turn over and need to mark down products

-        Gives visual appeal

-        Provides space for legal text

-        Makes handling easier. Products ideally should be hangable or stackable so they can be arranged in front facing rows. Packaging also has to conform to height and depth rules.

pg 19

- having no packaging is best

- products today cannot be sold unpackaged

pg 24

- puts people as the cause for global warming, however resources are still used heavily

- more is used than in previous decades

pg 25

- there is an expectation to have choice, which is illustrated in food sourcing – people feel entitled to choice, which is illustrated in food sourcing

- increased wealth has increased expectations

- energy is not considered in the journey of food

pg 26

- packaging is a visible form of pollution which detracts from other problems that need action - Action is taken towards reducing packaging because it is visible and acts as a distraction from other environmental problems that need solving

pg 27

- packaging is associated with waste

- pollution is created throughout packaging’s lifespan

- the success of packaging as an enabler within the system has encouraged more global trading without any of the historic restrictions

- packaging is a physical reminder of environmental damage, whereas other processes in preparing a product are not seen by the consumer

- within the industry there is realisation that there is profit within sustainability 

pg 29

- sustainable change will be determined by groups throughout the system

- sustainability is not always the main priority for retailers when compared with safety, aesthetics and value

- retailers have focused on sustainability in response to environmentally conscious customers

- premium brands are often the most environmentally friendly as costs can be subsidised

- value brands are generally less environmentally friendly however make green pledges

- manufacturers see the need for packaging despite it being added cost

pg 30

- historically green credentials were an environmental gesture directed at the middle class 

- sustainability has spread into different market areas and is available to more people 

- environmental policies have been fuelled in part by legislation rather than just a change in opinion 

pg 33

- fragmented recycling programmes make it hard for designers to choose materials when they will not be universally recycled

- recycling guidance is not clear for the consumer

- less packaging on a product minimises costs for manufacturers

- consumer perception of environmentally friendly packaging is often based on recyclability rather than other aspects

- without legislation or perceived market edge, retailers would not consider the environment - A combination of perceived market edge and legislation has led to retailers considering the environment more  

- Only some types of consumer let their dislike for packaging change their behaviour 

for the average consumer packaging can be considered unnecessary but acknowledges it has advantages - for the average consumer packaging is associated with waste but acknowledges it has advantages  

- average consumers recycle but do not make radical changes to their consumption

- ‘Concentrated detergents, for instance, provide an environmental feel good factor with no need for the consumer to make any real commitment’ 

pg 35

- average consumer

average consumers like recycling for waste reduction and the feel-good moral benefit to the environment

non-recyclable products create frustration for average consumers

- Environmentally active consumer

environmentally active consumers dislike packaging and consider its associated environmental impact

environmentally active consumers will reject excessively packaged products because of concern for the environment

- the designer is increasingly used to make green design attractive to a wider market

pg 36

- legislation

legislation regulates provided packaging information

legislation aims to echo consumer opinion and protect them

- further restrictions on packaging could lessen waste and reduce costs for manufacturers rather than make trade more difficult

- There are other recycling systems in Europe which make it easier for designers to choose materials

pg 39

- there should be more coherency between design for retail and environmental design

pg 40

- minimising material and resource use in packaging is the most effective design process

pg 41

- Reducing packaging

-        Light weighting - Reduce wall thickness of materials so it is lighter. Saves energy in processing and transportation. Often recyclable and cheaper

-        Can the product be packaged differently?

-        Reduce size. Minimises energy needed for transport

-        Cut down on parts and material that are not needed

there is a preference from consumers for more basic packaging, which shows a wider societal shift

pg 44

- consumers are encouraged to reuse to minimise waste

- reuse is only effective when it replaces another piece of packaging

- changing views have increased ways in which things can be reused

- refill success depends on scheme use

- Refill suggested schemes

-        refill bars – containers could be refilled and relabelled

-        return plastic bottles for refilling and get loyalty points

-        bag refill for powdered goods

pg 46

- reusable transport packaging is most effective for product sustainability

- Reusable closed loop systems

closed loop systems work best a local level

bottle deposit laws are more frequent in countries to cut down on plastic bottles

basic shaped bottles are used to allow for reuse and relabelling

bottle deposit schemes have had visible benefits in recycling and litter reduction

schemes often focus on particular materials because of their effectiveness in recycling

pg 48

- consumers understand the positives of recycling so participate

pg 50

- overall using recycled materials are more environmentally friendly than new material, however recycling is not always useful for the environment  

- recycling has its limitations as a system and when finding purposes for recycled material   

- recycling can become too efficient

- recycling participation is reliant on ease of use

- ‘Some materials are more easily reprocessed than others’

- usually recycled materials are more environmentally friendly than new materials however  this depends on other factors in the recycling process - Recycled materials are not always better than virgin materials, this is dependent on factors in the recycling process 

pg 52

- it is not always clear where recycled materials are sourced from

pg 53

- other recycled packs could use the carton – type packaging as a form

– some packaging materials that are environmentally friendly however are not talked about and perhaps are not recyclable which consumers prefer - Some recycled materials are not promoted by industry or satisfy public opinion in the same way as others despite being suitable environmentally - Packaging’s ability to be recycled and its performance often lessens the perceived environmental impacts

pg 54

- aluminium pouches are perceived as being unfriendly to the environment because they cannot be recycled however they have other positive features 

- it is essential for consumers to be able to recycle – for consumers it is essential to be able to recycle