We are taking this opportunity to do something a little different today! This episode's focus is on sustainable packaging and we recap some of the amazing ideas and advice we have received since starting this podcast. We feature snippets and segments from our conversations with Katie Kubrak, Tom Szaky, and Beau Peck, all episodes that are worth going back to listen to in their entirety if you have not already! Our three featured guests are all experts in the world of sustainable practices and packaging, and the thoughts they share are easy to apply and understand. This means that by simply listening to this episode you can level up your design process today! We touch on the difference between sustainability and recycling, getting to grips with different recycling systems according to specific locations, and how this information can impact and inform your design goals. Ultimately the aim is to make the most of your efforts; there is no use in designing a product to be sustainable in some way that does not fit with the systems it enters into! So to hear some inspiring ideas, and a few reflections about them along the way, join us on the show. Key Points From This Episode: Tom Szaky's thoughts on reframing sustainable design and his definition of sustainability. The idea of eliminating packaging; a new parameter for our design work! The right kind of materials and palette for a sustainable creative process. Katie Kubrak's breakdown of the best ways to approach reuse. Rethinking how to make better use of products and boxes. Consumer education and tailoring your sustainability to local infrastructure. Questions to ask facilities about what materials they actually deal with. Beau Peck on the benefits of clean stream recycling systems. What designers should be considering in light of closed-lid systems. Recapping today's actionable tips and main lessons! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: IDP Specright Die Cut Templates Epiosde 5 with Tom Szaky Tom Szaky on LinkedIn Tom Szaky on Twitter TerraCycle Loop Episode 13 with Katie Kubrak Katie Kubrak on LinkedIn Abel & Cole Episode 3 with Beau Peck Interwest Paper Package Design Unboxd Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Long-form and ‘doom and gloom’ content on sustainability arguably lack efficacy because readers either lose focus or end up feeling completely disempowered. Today’s guest is Ariel Maldonado and she is switching things up by using the format of memes on her Instagram page, @gogreensavegreen. You might be wondering why we are talking about memes today but, to practice sustainable packaging, you need to be well-informed. This is where Ariel fits in, so make sure to follow her! We chat with our guest about how she got obsessed with the environment and began to search for a way that she could join the sustainability movement. She talks about why she chose to start an Instagram account and how the type of content she posted evolved over time. We hear why memes are so effective due to the fact that they are to the point, humorous, and don’t make people feel like they are being attacked. We speak about various themes in the sustainability conversation, such as informed consumption, alternatives to plastic, and mono cropping, and Ariel shares her ideas based on the research she has done for her account. Our conversation also covers Ariel’s thoughts on where she wants to go next, and she shares her hope to not just educate her audience, but to help drive action. Great ideas and projects are so much more powerful when they reach large audiences, so tune in to hear how Ariel is working to achieve this goal today! Key Points From This Episode: How Ariel became interested in sustainability and began to share her research on Instagram. The evolution of Ariel’s Instagram page and why she decided to use memes as a medium. Why Ariel does not see herself as an ‘influencer’, even though she has a large audience. Ariel’s thoughts on pursuing volunteer coordinating and where she might go next. The stress of creating long-form content and why Ariel finds memes to be so effective. Her experience with sponsorships and why she doesn’t want her page to be focused on making money. Why Ariel prefers reusable water bottles and her thoughts on how damaging plastic is. How the research and activism Ariel does has influenced the way she shops. The confusion involved in shopping sustainably and how Ariel can use her voice to help. Ariel’s wish to go beyond educating and help people to take action. The scam of carbon offset projects and how mono-cropped trees often kill ecosystems. Where to go online to find out more about Ariel and Go Green Save Green. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ariel Maldonado on LinkedIn Ariel Maldonado on Twitter Ariel Maldonado Email Go Green Save Green on Instagram Package Design Unboxd Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Evelio Mattos on Twitter Intl. Direct Packaging Specright

We have all experienced molded fiber, usually as a replacement for foam or plastic inserts (think egg boxes). However, this largely underrated material offers countless possibilities to those bold enough to use it, and it is environmentally friendly to top it all off! Colourform is at the forefront of design and innovation with molded fiber and today we get to speak to two key members of its team, Richard Dancy and Chris Schofield! Richard and Chris take us through the process behind the complex designs they have made using this material while giving listeners an insight into what is truly possible with Colourform. We learn about the value proposition of Colourform’s molded fiber from a branding perspective and hear examples of how their product has helped to elevate the story behind the many clients they have worked with. Our conversation also covers the sustainability aspect of Colourform. We talk about how they are helping their clients push the boundaries of easy-to-use recycled packaging as well as find their place in the circular economy. So, tune in today to give your molded fiber preconceptions an extreme makeover! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing Chris and Richard and their roles within Colourform. The Colourform offering: a thermo-formed molded fiber product (an alternative to plastic). What sets Colourform apart from other packaging and even molded-fiber competitors. A Maison Ruinart champagne bottle wrap made by Colourform and the process behind it. The process of realizing ideas and how Colourform shows clients what is possible. How Colourform helps to elevate brands by telling their story using molded fiber. What molded-fiber is and the molding process the Colourform products go through. The cost of making the tools and molds and the typical order size Colourform gets. How Colourform is evolving to take on ever more complex and beautiful projects. The different legs of James Cropper and how Colourform interacts with them. Water costs involved in creating the product and Colourform’s environmental standards. The possibilities for forms, strengths, and printing: how Colourform demonstrates these. How the Colourform team joins separate pieces of molded fiber and combines colors. The way Colourform can include materials from the packaged product into the packaging. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Richard Dancy on LinkedIn Chris Schofield on LinkedIn Colourform James Cropper Package Design Unboxd Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Evelio Mattos on Twitter Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse Intl. Direct Packaging Specright

When you focus on manufacturing, you learn about the materials and processes behind a product, and this knowledge only makes you a better designer at the end of the day. Brandi Parker, Head of Sustainability at Pearlfisher, joins us to talk about how her experience on the manufacturing side has influenced the way she thinks about sustainable design. Brandi’s role at Pearlfisher has taught her about the deep connection between sustainability and design and we start our chat by hearing more about what this means to her. From there, we talk about certifications such as Dolphin-Safe and FSC, unpacking ideas around corruption, consumer awareness, and brand superficiality. Our conversation moves into some of the most exciting trends Brandi is seeing in sustainable design right now, where she highlights fungus and the amazing ways it is being put to use as a material. Toward the end of our exchange, we explore what true design is really about. Brandi drills down on the importance of reading the most current literature, getting involved in real projects and, of course, getting more clued up about manufacturing! We wrap up on the role of problem-solving in great design, and Brandi shares a few golden nuggets that you definitely do not want to miss! Key Points From This Episode: Sustainability through design and what Brandi’s role at Pearlfisher entails. How broad the topic of sustainability is and what it means to be an expert in it. The corruption in the Dolphin-Safe Certification and whether FSC is worth it. A lack in consumer understanding of FSC; whether they should care about it or not. Why fungus as a material is interesting from a sustainability point of view. Learning about sustainable design through books, projects, people, and manufacturing. Three questions designers should ask about the ‘what’, the ‘why’, and the price before using a material. Lessons Brandi learned during her time in a competitive problem-solving team in high school. The value of challenging a problem by turning it on its head to find effective solutions. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Brandi Parker on LinkedIn Pearlfisher Cradle to Cradle Package Design Unboxd Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Evelio Mattos on Twitter Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse Intl. Direct Packaging People of Packaging Podcast Sustainable Packaging Podcast

This is the story of how your host, Evelio Mattos, won a packaging design and product launch pitch against VaynerMedia and also lost $900,000 in the process. The lesson in today’s episode is about knowing your value and understanding what you bring to the table when it comes to pricing, packaging design, and opportunities. As with any proposal, Evelio believes that presenting with confidence and clarity is key. It’s about delivering your pitch, focusing on its value to the consumer, their brand, and the longevity of the project but, most importantly, when you’re done, your audience should understand exactly what they are getting (as well as what they are not). Tuning in, you’ll learn the importance of engaging with your customers’ needs, determining what success will look like, and charging clients for the full value of what you will deliver, even if you’re just starting out. To find out more about how Evelio went up against the legendary Gary Vaynerchuk and won (but also lost), make sure not to miss today’s episode! Key Points From This Episode: The story of the internal packaging design agency Evelio built for a Fortune 500 company. Find out how making pancakes helped Evelio build trust and relationships. The opportunities that come from engaging with customers and learning their needs. Evelio’s big picture approach to design and the confidence that comes with experience. The chance Evelio had to launch a new soft drink company with a celebrity founder. Hear about the ‘humbling period’ that comes with working with a celebrity. Determining what the success of a project will look like and what value it offers the brand. Learn about some of the other celebrity projects Evelio has worked on. Why it’s important to set a limit on how many comps you include in your proposals. Evelio on why he believes presenting with confidence and clarity is key. Weighing up losing a client versus underselling yourself by lowering your prices. Finding the best value for your brand as a self-funded startup. Evelio’s advice for listeners: charge clients for the full value of what you will deliver. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: VaynerMedia Package Design Unboxd Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Evelio Mattos on Twitter Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse Intl. Direct Packaging People of Packaging Podcast Sustainable Packaging Podcast

Today, we’re discussing the realities of waste management in Argentina and the lengths that people go to in order to be just a little bit more sustainable with Guillermo Dufranc, author, YouTuber, and consistent LinkedIn poster of great sustainability content. When he isn’t busy being a zero-waste influencer, Guillermo manages a creative team at tridimage, an award-winning packaging design agency headquartered in Buenos Aires. In this episode, you’ll learn how global cities like Buenos Aires collect and dispose of waste in open dumpsites and how that impacts the realities of recycling in the city, how it’s going to be people who save the planet based on the decisions that they make, not the packaging materials we choose, and the ways in which systems need to close the loop without disrupting infrastructure. We also touch on how streamlining packaging to suit your immediate needs and location is going to be the next evolution of package design, with each type of packaging requiring a specific material for different use cases, and Guillermo shares his insights into how this future can achieve our zero waste dreams. Tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Guillermo and his dream to live on a planet full of flowers, not trash cans. Learn more about waste management and waste disposal systems in Argentina. Guillermo reflects on the realities of water pollution in the coastal city of Buenos Aires. Why he believes that legal frameworks are necessary in order to enforce change. Guillermo on his roles as both graphic designer and project manager at tridimage. Find out how important sustainability is to consumers in South America right now. The importance of closing the loop on packaging waste without disrupting infrastructure. Why Guillermo believes it’s people, not packaging materials that will save the planet. Guillermo’s vision for the future of drinks packaging: why there isn’t just one solution. Why customizing packaging for specific use cases is the next evolution of package design. The combination of reusable, recyclable, and compostable that is the future of packaging. Hear about the four books Guillermo has written and what inspired him to write them. How growing his audience on YouTube has opened new conversations about sustainability. The new habits and conscious everyday decisions necessary to create lasting change. One thing packaging designers can do to promote sustainability; spread the word. Guillermo on why creating a mindset shift is the most powerful tool designers have. Why it’s important that designers educate themselves about new and existing materials. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Guillermo Dufranc Guillermo Dufranc on LinkedIn Guillermo Dufranc on Instagram Guillermo Dufranc on YouTube La comunicación del packaging Packaging Storytelling Packaged Brands Packaging para salvar el planeta tridimage

Years ago, the return and reuse of glass bottles was common practice, but when convenience began to dominate the messaging around packaging, this went out the window. Now, 75% of glass bottles end up in landfills. Through her company, Conscious Containers, Caren McNamara is on a mission to change this. Caren Conscious Containers is a benefit corporation selling refillable glass bottles and establishing infrastructure to collect, sanitize and resell them throughout the country. They have also come up with an innovative solution which allows them to track the lifecycle of their bottles so that they can build up a database which the packaging industry is lacking. In this episode, Caren explains the processes involved in ensuring that a bottle is fit for reuse, legislation that is coming into effect around the end of life of packaging waste, how beverage brands have been responding to Conscious Container’s business model, and the exciting expansion plans she has for the future! Key Points From This Episode: What you can expect to learn from today’s episode. Reasons that drove Caren to found Conscious Container. Main challenges that Conscious Container is faced with. Benefits of using a refillable glass bottle as opposed to other packing substrates. Mandated legislation around single use packaging. The lack of glass bottles currently available in the supply chain. Factors that contributed to the reduction in reuse of glass. Percentage of glass that ends up in landfills. Differences between Conscious Container bottles and other glass bottles. How and why Conscious Container is going to track the lifecycle of their bottles. Responses from beverage brands to the idea of a returnable bottle. Alterations that companies may have to make when they begin using Conscious Container glass bottles. Challenges to getting wash-off labels. The process that a Conscious Container bottle goes through after it has been used. How Caren intends to scale Conscious Container. Caren’s past work experience, and how this has benefited her in her current role. Extended producer responsibility programs. The end of life for reusable bottles. Examples of the companies that Conscious Container is working with. Changes Caren expects to see take place over the next few years. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Conscious Container Conscious Container Email Address Caren McNamara on LinkedIn Reloop Zero Waste Europe Report on Reusable vs Single Use Packaging Closed Loop Partners International Direct Packaging People of Packaging Podcast by Adam Peek Sustainable Packaging Podcast by Cory Connors Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn and download your own Sustainable Packaging Guide here

Todd Maute explains how CBX’s FORGE process helps redesign multi-SKU packaging for CPG and retail brands faster and sometimes cheaper. CBX is known for its brand experience development for pet, food, and even pet food brands!  Learn how design agencies collect data, project-manage, and make production a design challenge to ensure every redesign aspect is measured and considered. Packaging design for one box is complex. Redesigning packaging for hundreds of SKUs all at once, well, that’s an undertaking for the professionals. This episode gives you the BTS insight to see how the pros do it. Here’s what you’re going to get from this episode: 1) How adaptive design can just be the future of packaging production. 2) How scaling a brand requires understanding the elasticity of design to live across a comprehensive set of standpoints. Just think of Smuckers, you know ’em for the jelly aisle, but they’re in frozen, pet, and breakfast. 3) Applying design across hundreds of SKUs, now that you’ve determined where your products will live, we need to know how to take on this design challenge and translate visuals across hundreds or thousands of SKUs. Hear how CBX applied their FORGE process to Duane Reade to execute a redesign in less than 6 months tip to tail. Connect with Todd Maute on LinkedIn  Learn more about CBX here Connect with Evelio Mattos Download your free sustainable packaging guide here

In this episode Evelio (@eveliomattos) speaks to Vincent Colard of Citeo.com a company working hand in hand with packaging designers, manufacturers, and recycling systems to get France to 100% recycling rates by 2025. Learn what materials to use in your packaging design to increase the chances of it being recycled at end of life.  They discuss chemical recycling, what it is, how it helps, and where it fits in the grand scheme. Also the different types of plastics, benefits, drawbacks, and different product needs.  Here are three massive things you’ll walk away with today. 1) How CITEO develops recycling streams for various materials and how they implement it across the country. 2) Get a breakdown of checkmical recycling, how it works, and basically what it is. 3) recycling, down cycling, and up cycling how different packaging materials are building our circular future. You can learn more about CITEO at citeo.com or find Vincent Colard on Linked in. For daily packaging updates, follow Evelio on LinkedIn Download your own sustainable packaging guide here Follow Package Design Unboxd on LinkedIn

Ever wondered what the future of packaging looks like? You’re not alone. In fact, it’s a question that has been on the minds of many designers and brand-owners alike. We all know how important sustainability is to our world today, but we also want to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to make products as effective and safe for consumers.  That being said, antimicrobial coatings are trending due to covid, the current pandemic, but also looking to everyday hygiene of products we come into contact with.  Learn how DesignSake launched Matter, designed packaging for Nixit, and is building the next brand incubator near SF.  Here’s a few more take aways you’ll get from this episode: 1) If you can design for others, you can build for yourself. Design Sake launched a new product into the market and we get into how agencies are taking ownership of the products they design. 2) Removing the responsibility of sustainability from the consumer. 3) How do you make packaging that is a reflection of who you are and meets your sustainability goals. How do you hold clients accountable? And how do you make clients as successful as you possible can? 4) The future pipelines of DTC brands and how designers need to think about material innovation, and should packaging be anti-microbial? Connect with DesignSake Learn about Matter Connect with Danielle McWaters -------- Connect with Evelio Mattos Leave a review here -------- Download your own sustainability guide for free