PAPERBOARD PACKAGING TAKEN TO NEW HIGHS OF INNOVATION AND UTILITY: PPA HONORS STUDENT DESIGNERS

Posted by M & M Box Partitions Co. on December 15, 2014 12:00 am

Do you pay much attention to the package your goods come in? Most buyers are in such a tizzy over their acquisition that they tear through the box to reach at their treasure, in the process creating mounds upon mounds of waste material just begging to be re-cycled.

The simple solution to this issue is to make packaging aesthetically appealing. To give it that extra something which can make buyers go ‘wow’ and cherish the outside as much as they anticipate what’s within, thus encouraging re-use.

PAPERBOARD IS GREAT BECAUSE?

It is versatile and it is eco-friendly. Over the past few years the awareness around the issue of chemical leaching from plastic debris has skyrocketed. However brands – big and small- continue to enthusiastically churn out plastic wrappers and packets adding to the proliferation of the harmful phthalate chemicals which lead to increased blood pressure and a plethora of other health diseases.

Paperboard is thicker than paper, it is easy to mould into interesting shapes, it is light weight and strong and it comes in different ‘grades’ to serve varied packaging needs. Most importantly it is organic and even if it’s not recycled, it doesn’t pose an imminent threat to the well-being of the planet.

PAPERBOARD PACKAGING ALLIANCE’S EFFORT:

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) wishes to pitch paperboard as the preferred packaging material and thus eliminate several issues plaguing the environment. As a testament to its commitment, it organizes an annual Student Design Challenge to inspire fresh eyed graduates to further explore the potential of the humble paperboard.

For the 2014 edition it set forth the challenge of designing a sleek package for men’s products that can double up as a display unit. Commendable is the fact that the mandate required the use of paperboard (instead of plastic) and by factoring in increased utility of package cum display, it looked to reduce raw material wastage.

In a November 3^rd ceremony the winners were feted and honoured by PPA. The number one position went to student designers of the Pratt Institute for the wonderfully refreshing and masculine ‘Dash’.