Packaging is more than just a cardboard box designed to protect products comprehensively. It is a true multi-talent and full of surprises. As an excellent medium for successful branding, it should emotionalise, differentiate, inform, communicate, convince, motivate and ultimately encourage purchase. As multifaceted as its functions are, as amazing are the facts that circulate around the little box.
Apple’s Top Secret Department
Apple is known for its relentless obsession with packaging design. The perfect buying and unboxing experience is a top priority at Apple. The company has even created a special and top-secret department for packaging development.
Aromatic coffee smell
There is nothing better than enjoying the aroma of freshly ground coffee. Coffee has probably the most attractive smell of all. But the intense aroma when opening the coffee pack does not come from the coffee alone, but from a spray that the producers have placed directly under the lid. The double aroma experience is not only intended to seduce the consumer, but also to convey attributes such as freshness, quality and value.
Trendy shoe box made from recycled waste
Nike hat den ersten Schuhkarton zu 100 % aus recyceltem Müll hergestellt – und das ganz ohne chemische Hilfsstoffe. Unter streng ökologischen Gesichtspunkten wurde für die Schuhbox recycelter Karton und Kaffeebecher-Deckel verwendet.
Der Clou: Der Schuhkarton landet nicht wie herkömmliche Verpackungen im Müll, sondern kann als Rucksack weiterverwendet werden. Einfach einen Gurt durch die zusätzlich angebrachten Löcher ziehen – fertig ist der umweltfreundliche und schicke Rucksack!
“Wikkelhouse” – Dream home made of corrugated cardboard
Cardboard as a sustainable natural product is not only excellent as a packaging material.
The so-called “Wikkelhouse” proves that cardboard is also an excellent building material. The houses built by a Dutch company from wood as well as cardboard offer good protection against moisture and are even supposed to last up to 100 years. But the developers also rely on sustainable raw materials for all other materials. The “Wikkelhouse” is therefore completely recyclable. Thanks to its modular construction, the cardboard house can also be expanded as desired.
The sensational living dream made of corrugated cardboard also impresses with an enormously short construction time – the ecological home of one’s own is ready in just one day.
Expiry date on water bottles
The fact is: mineral water in glass bottles has an unlimited shelf life.
There is no absorption of air, so there is no need to indicate an expiry date. So why is there an expiry date on all water bottles? The answer is quite simple.
According to the table water ordinance, manufacturers are obliged to do so – and this means that a best-before date of usually 2 years must be noted. However, as far as mineral water in plastic bottles is concerned, one must bear in mind that over time oxygen can get into the bottle and carbon dioxide can escape accordingly. From a health point of view, this is completely harmless. Nevertheless, the taste may be affected. The expiry date therefore does not apply to the water, but rather to the plastic bottle.
Conclusion: Packaging is incredibly versatile and reveals interesting aspects. The topic of “sustainability” is becoming more and more relevant. The packaging industry is in a state of flux and must always face new challenges.
