Remember when we blogged about Vacs from the Sea where ocean pollution plastics where used for a line of eco-friendly vacuums? Apparently the idea has sparked a trend among other companies such as Method, the popular San Francisco household cleaner company. Mid September, the company introduced a plastic bottle created entirely from recycled plastic gathered from the North Pacific Gyre nicknamed the “Garbage Patch.” A gyre is a body of water that has extremely high ocean currents and this particular gyre is one of the most densely polluted bodies of water in the world.

Once they have collected the plastics they are cleaned, recycled and blended with other recycled plastics to create bottles such as the laundry detergent container in the top photo. They partnered with post consumer recycling company Envision Plastics to create the bottles that are 100% post consumer plastic (a quarter of which is from the gyre). In honor of their creation, Ed Lee the mayor of San Francisco named September 15 to be “Method Day.” The mayor also stated, “Today's announcement by San Francisco-based Method demonstrates our city's commitment to creative, innovative, and sustainable technology companies. By creating bottles made from ocean debris, they are demonstrating that San Francisco is a place for big ideas."

For more information on these ocean bottles, check out the article featured on Packaging World.

When it comes to household cleaning products, it has become a trend to offer eco & economic forms of refillable products. Remember our Household Cleaners Go Green blog about the concentrated cleaner solutions? These two companies were offering a concentrated cleaning solution that would reduce packaging and Windex has joined the trend with their first concentrated solution. The refill pouches are filled with the traditional blue Windex cleaning solution in a concentrated gel form. When you finish a traditional 26 fl. oz. spray bottle simply cut the pouch, pour the solution into the empty bottle and fill it with water to produce another bottle of usable cleaning solution.

As far as eco and economically friendly products goes, Windex has certainly hit a homerun with this concentrated pouch. To create only one concentrated pouch will use 90% less plastic material than is used to make one traditional spray bottle. In addition, the company will save on the costs to transport almost 1.5 lbs of water weight per bottle shipped! To put that in perspective, people buy over 21 million bottles of the cleaner per year so the company would avoid shipping over 6 million lbs of water a year! So next time you are ready to recycle your bottle of Windex, consider buy a three pack of the concentrated pouches and as the company says, “Make the Choice, Lead the Change.”

What other eco or economically friendly concentrated products have you seen on the market today?

With the plethora of beauty products on the market today, society is using shampoo upon face wash upon body gel to keep ourselves fresh and clean. However, have you ever thought about what is going down the drain during your shower? I didn’t either, but washing your body with any of the leading shower gels on the market means that all of the chemical additives in the formula are going down the drain and back into the earth.

Well, The Body Shop has created the first ever 100% biodegradable shower gel line to hit the market called the Earth Lovers collection. The eco-friendly shower gels contain no sulfates, colourants, or parabens and meet the government standards for all biodegradable products. To qualify the ingredients must be non-toxic, decompose quickly in nature, and the packaging must adhere to strict minimum guidelines. In fact, packaging weight is compared to the weight of the shower gel itself and it must not be greater than 0.2 grams of packaging per gram of shower gel! Each bottle has a single clear label with faded images of the scents fruit or flower printed as a backdrop. There is also a green “eco-conscious” seal printed on the front of every label to signify the biodegradable product as well as the recycled plastic bottle it is packaged in. Earth Lovers is available in six different scents including Apricot & Basil, Cucumber & Mint, Watermelon & Eucalyptus, Fig & Rosemary, Pear & Lemongrass, and Lemon & Thyme. Kudos to The Body Shop from the Dion family for creating a fantastic eco-friendly product!

Of all the packaging trends in the recent years, green or eco-friendly packaging has been the most rapidly growing movement. Green packaging focuses on several factors including lowering the amount of packaging used, lowering the energy used to manufacture packaging, and introducing the use of recycled/ biodegradable materials. Society has embraced the idea of green packaging as being beneficial to our planet, but what are the associated costs to the company producing them? Before a company considers making the move to eco-friendly packaging, here are some topics to consider.

Before making the eco-friendly move your company should make sure your customers are on board. If your customers do not like the new packaging they are less likely to continue buying the product. Steady sales during the shift to eco-friendly packaging are especially important for the venture to be profitable. Steady sales are also important for the next topic to consider which is that eco-friendly packaging is often more expensive. Before diving in, thoroughly asses your financial situation and decide if your company can handle the extra associated costs. Why the extra expense? Well, many of these green materials are sparsely used in the packaging industry and difficult to acquire in large quantities. A fantastic example of a sparsely used green packaging material is the water soluble starch material talked about in our Less is More blog. Many companies faced with increasing costs are balancing them out by decreasing the amount of packaging used during production. By lessening or eliminating the secondary packaging, companies are often able to balance out the cost of green packaging.

Another complicated area to understand when going green is the actual materials you will be using in your green packaging. A company must find a supplier and manufacturer who are comfortable and knowledgeable about working with eco-friendly materials. Also a full understanding of how your materials will react when composing is crucial for both you and your manufacturer. I would recommend that a company do extensive research on the materials to be used before implementation to avoid unforeseen consequences. For example, in the green packaging article from Green Marketing TV they discuss how some polymer substances do not decompose when mixed together. Knowing all composition attributes of your materials are crucial to make sure your green packaging is accepted by both customers and packaging regulators such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is now regulating green and environmentally friendly packaging to make sure the consumers are given detailed and accurate packaging information.

To read an article written from Inc Magazine on switching to eco-friendly packaging, visit their website!

My eyes have been peeled for the top trends of 2010 and I have found a front runner. Society has gone nutty for coconut!  Popular coconut products range from beverages, beauty products, and cleaners.  Why the coconut craze?  Studies show that the protein packed fruit is known for being a “healing” fruit for digestion problems and other ailments.  Spirit companies like Bacardi have latched onto the coconut craze, as we saw in our blog about Bacardi’s Rock Coconut redesign. A particularly trendy coconut beverage is O.N.E. Coconut Water. Athletes and trainers alike rave about the hydration benefits from the fruity water, beating out other sugar filled sports drinks. 

Beauty companies small and large have also jumped on the coconut band wagon, offering an abundance of creams, moisturizers and shampoos infused with coconut oil. Do you like the coconut flavor but do not like cooking with the actual fruit?  Companies have developed other cooking products infused with coconut including coconut flour and vinegar! Coconuts may even be the future of eco friendly packaging due to the durable coconut husk shell. Imagine getting your next eBay purchase in a coconut skin container?  From drinks to packaging, the coconut craze has certainly made an impact in 2010!

Only a year and a half after launching the completely compostable SunChip bag, Frito-Lay has decided to stop printing them.  As blogged about back in April 2010, the chip bag is 100% compostable due to the high tech material.  However thanks to the intense volume of the bag, Frito- Lay received a flood of customer complaints.  In fact, overall SunChip sales fell a whopping 11% in 2010 alone!  I myself complained on numerous occasions about the excessively noisy bag; however it did not stop me from munching on the salty snacks.

Despite the recall, all hope for a greener chip bag is not completely lost. Five of the six chip bag flavors will no longer be printed in compostable material and will return to the original packaging.  The most popular Original flavored SunChips bag will remain in the compostable packaging.  Frito- Lay says they “hope to transition all SunChips iterations as soon as possible.”  Until that technology is developed customers will have to deal with the noisy Original flavor bags, or opt for one of the other five flavored chips.

For the full article visit Packaging Digest.

Prepare to be taken 20,000 leagues under the sea by the winning Wine Category bottle at the 2010 Clear Choice Awards.  The Tentacle is a strikingly dark bottle with a beautifully designed center art piece.  Designer John Schall designed an eight legged octopus which is printed to look like it’s wrapped around the bottle.  The silk screened design is printed on a lighter weight eco-friendly bottle, while still maintaining an elegant look.

The Tentacle is a clear standout to me in the wine design category, due to its elegant appearance.  Each tentacle has a gentle curl at the end, which is mirrored in the curly script writing on the bottle.  The colorings also blend well together with the deep colored backing and the off-white octopus coloring. The octopus almost appears to be floating in the ocean. Between the excellent tasting Syrah blend wine, and the elegant bottle design The Tentacle is a clear winner for the Clear Choice Awards.

We have heard it all before. Designers must be creative, innovative and “think outside the box.” However, as packaging trends grow and change, GCI Magazine state that the future of packaging may come from “thinking inside the box.”  To help your company stay current, and cut costs here are four key elements to explore.

1. Think Lighter- Consider using lighter weight packaging material to significantly lower shipping costs.  Utilize light weight packaging technology to reduce costs.  Last but not least remember to “think thin.”  Using a thinner paper or plastic packaging can decrease the total weight and cost.  In business every penny counts, so why not start saving with packaging?
2. Go Green- Start by choosing a greener ink that will be visually pleasing and good for the earth.  Soy and water based inks are available for flexo printing only, and digital printing is green due to less material required for set up and printing.  Digital ink is also certified by California’s Proposition 65 and can be used in most printing jobs.  Source local suppliers if possible to cut shipping costs, and show your “green pride” to your customers.  Customers appreciate environmentally friendly companies and often flock to them. 
3. Spend Less & Get More- Using a “one shape fits all” packaging can be beneficial to cost cutting.  Alter the package size, color or design in a small way and you have saved yourself a bundle.  Even consider silk screen printing as an eco friendly way to save costs and labels.
4. Partner Up- They say two minds are better than one and it applies in the packaging world.  Partnering with another company can generate more ideas, increase productivity, and save space.  Look for a company that is larger than yours, offering a viable storage facility for you to use. 

Sometimes thinking in and outside the box is necessary to save time and money with your packaging.  Customize these four steps to improve your companies packaging and save some serious money! Visit gcimagazine.com to read the full article

Drum roll please! HBA’s International Package Design Awards (IPDA) has announced the finalists for 2010.  Four finalists were chosen for each of nine categories including Cosmetics, Fragrances, Personal Care, Skin Care, and Green Packaging.  Winners will be announced next week on Tuesday September 28^th at the HBA Global Expo at the Javits Convention Center in NYC.  To celebrate the grand event, coinciding with the ceremony’s 10th anniversary, the finalists and winners are being displayed at the IPDA showcase. 

Stridex acne treatment products are turning to nature to help battle tough acne.  Introducing a new member to the Stridex product family, Stridex Naturally Clear medicated cleaning pads.  The new cleaning pads are a combination of three healthy antioxidants of white tea, pomegranate and soy creating a breakthrough 98.8% alcohol free formula. Pads are also being made 20% larger which are easily grasped and more bank for your buck! 

The new formula is packaged in a similarly round shaped container to the older Stridex cleaning pads.  Bright orange and green tones compliment each other as organic colors and the background image is a faded picture of natural grass.  The bright orange lid and deep colors make this product stand out amongst the other Stridex brand cleansers on the shelf.  If I had to choose between the original cleansing pads (bottom image) and the natural ones (top image) I would absolutely be drawn to the natural ones.  However when I researched the pricing between Stridex Natural and other Stridex products the price of the Naturals were two to three dollars more than!  If natural ingredients are important then the extra two dollars might be worth it, otherwise it’s a tossup between price and product.

“Technology to the Rescue,” the focus of The Label Expo of Americas 2010, is coming to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago for September 14-16.  Hours of the expo run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by pre- registering you can save 20% on your ticket and avoid those annoying lines.  Featuring over four hundred exhibitors, numerous technology workshops, conferences and master classes the Expo has something for everyone.  Looking for some cutting edge technology on shrink wrap sleeves (featured in our recent blog about ZUM Energy Drink)?  Check out Hall F’s feature and demonstration on several high performance presses.  Are you seeking new environmentally friendly approaches to “green” your business?  Grab a seat on the Gathering on the Green for suppliers showing their green business initiatives.  Representatives from Dion Label Printing, Inc will be attending this tradeshow!

The Label Expo of Americas will feature classes on color choices, integration and automation from top industry leaders in printing and technology. One masterclass that intrigued me is sustainability class showing how sustainability can also be integrated throughout your business.  Dion Label Printing currently uses sustainable business practices, including the conversion of 95% of our waste into energy pellets.  

Fresh Express recently introduced the latest addition to their product offerings: artisanal salads. The product is getting attention specifically for its packaging. Claiming to use 50% less plastic than their Spring Greens packaging, the salad bag uses a vertical window to see the content of the packaging. It won a 2010 Packaging Innovation award from the United Fresh Produce Association.

While I appreciate the sustainable effort, I’m also hesitant to not see more of the product, especially when wanting to buy fresh produce. The design and eco-friendliness get a thumbs-up, but I can’t help but give a thumbs-down to only exposing half of the product contents.

“Private Label Beauty Packaging Poised for Growth” from Beauty Packaging Magazine took a look at the recent success of private label products in the health and beauty industry.

No doubt about it: The recent recession has spurred growth in the private label beauty market segment, say industry analysts. Private label players agree the economy is showing signs of a rebound, and they are optimistic that private label brands are gaining traction in the brand beauty market.

“Overall, private labels have done really well during the economic downturn,” says John Wright, head of retailing research at Euromonitor International. “Consumers have looked to save money as much as possible, and retailers have reacted to this by promoting their private label ranges.”

While they only capture 2% of the global beauty market, private label products are expected to continue to grow as consumer perception of quality for these products rises as well. The article also interestingly points out that during the recession consumers turned to less expensive indulgences like beauty products rather than the extravagant purchase of vehicles or homes, again contributing to their increase in sales.

For more on the success of private label beauty products, click here!

We’ve scoured all of our resources to bring you the best of World Cup-inspired and commemorative products and packaging! I’ll even be worldlier in using the term football. Here they are:

The “Hospitality Pack” contains the most important item for football fans: their tickets. Capturing the essence of anticipation, the slider pack provides a clever and playful opening experience, creating intrigue and a sense of novelty to complement the exciting nature of receiving World Cup tickets. With the games officially now underway, the high quality format of the Burgopak design further encourages fans to retain the pack, lending itself as a keep-safe of World Cup memorabilia.

Gillette’s World Cup-inspired shaving gel and antiperspirant and deodorant cans creatively resemble a football and shows off their sponsorship.

These bracelets were made by over 400 women in South Africa for fans of the Dutch team. The orange color is the national color for the Netherlands and the assortment of colors represents the South African flag.

SAB Miller developed a can that could also function as a cup.

Special World Cup Packaging for Carlsberg beer featuring England’s team manager Fabio Capello and team players David James, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Jermaine Defoe.

England’s team received more support when Umbro commissioned the painting of the players’ numbers in their hometowns, even for manager Capello in Italy.

Coca-Cola’s commemorative cans feature French players in celebration and come in a box with a CD from K’Naan.

Miller Light cans are laser-etched with famous players captured doing their signature moves.

Please share if you’ve come across other promotional or commemorative products or packaging!

The DuPont Award winners for 2010 were just announced at the end of May, continuing the virtual forum format from last year. The winners proved breakthroughs in packaging with innovative developments, cost/waste reduction and improved sustainability. Diamond winners proved excellence in all three areas while Gold winners demonstrated excellence in two criteria. Silver winners were selected for their breakthrough innovation, and notable honorees were given recognition for innovative problem solving. 

Only two submissions were given the prestigious honor of a Diamond DuPont award: the GREENBOX reusable thermal management system, a sustainably-produced container used to transport sensitive medical supplies, as well as Exal Corporation’s “Coil to Can” (C2C) recyclable aluminum bottle.

To see all of the award-winning packaging innovators, click here.

Green labels are the featured topic in this month’s Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine. Utilizing eco-friendly labels is a growing trend for the wine industry:

Until recently, even the industry's most eco-minded wineries were reluctant to trade their virgin-paper labels for the added expense of recycled paper stock. Yet that's starting to change. Increased label options - from new recycled paper stocks to soy-based and waterless inks - now make it easier for wineries to extend their eco-friendly practices to their labels.

While it’s true the cost for PCW labels is greater than virgin paper labels because of the increased labor costs to produce the material, many wineries are finding that the sustainable label is worth the cost. Dion has the following eco-friendly offerings:

• Water soluble adhesives which allow labels to be washed off their containers, so the recycling process for containers is much simpler.
• Water-based, solvent-free inks are used in most conventional printing operations.
• A variety of eco-friendly material ranging from various levels of post-consumer paper, "tree-free" paper, and biodegradable films.

To request our eco-friendly samples, click here. And to read more about eco-friendly labeling options and how wineries are using them, read the full article here.

One of the growing trends among the natural and organic product sector is the combination of a product that is good for the consumer and packaging that is safe for the Earth. This mindset is the essence of bath and body line, One. Founder Glenn Abramson was inspired by an article describing the proliferation of plastic in landfills and was determined to come up with a solution. For him, it was a line of all-natural products (28 SKUs in total) sold in recyclable tins with recyclable and biodegradable paper labels and chipboard.

The products themselves are unique solid forms of typically liquid products such as solid shampoos, lotion massage bars, and after shower skin conditioner bars. With all of these features, it seems that One products would be somewhat expensive, as many in this organic and natural category tend to be. However, according to Beauty Packaging Magazine, the line ranges from $2.99 to $9.99 in Target stores across the country.

Just yesterday we commended Wal-mart for their eco-friendly practices, but for a huge corporation like Wal-mart, much of their initiative is based on requiring that their suppliers reduce their carbon footprint. The Sustainability Index Supplier Assessment that Wal-mart announced last year includes a 15-question survey to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Wal-mart hopes to reduce this by 20 million metric tons. It seems to be an important first step before Wal-mart can implement the “Green” ratings that will disclose the eco-friendliness of products to consumers.

It may sound like Wal-mart is simply bullying their suppliers to make the company look good. In actuality, Wal-mart’s own practices include: using onsite renewable energy generation, reducing shipping and packaging waste, reducing truck fleet emissions, and more. If Wal-mart is successful in achieving their GHG emission reduction goal by 2015, it will be equivalent to:

• taking more than 3.8 million average cars off of the road for a year
• planting more than 181 million full grown trees

These emissions are also similar to what would be produced by:

• burning fossil fuels to power nearly 2.6 million U.S. homes for a year
• consuming nearly 2.3 billion gallons of gasoline. (All estimates based on EPA figures).

For more information, and to see Wal-mart CEO Mike Duke’s address to stakeholders, click here.

As an admitted shoe fanatic, I have to say that shoe packaging drove me crazy even before my entrance into the wonderful world of product packaging. Whether it’s my latest stilettos or even sneakers, every time I attempt to dive my tiny foot into my next potential pair, I’m instantly stopped short by the unnecessary wad of paper that was apparently jack-hammered into the toe of the shoe. Not to mention opening the box in the first place is like getting a gift covered with so many layers of tissue you’re not sure there’s even anything in the box. Perhaps I’m even lucky enough to find that the left shoe has already been unraveled, but I’ve already set free my right foot for the fitting experience. After I’ve made a complete mess in the shoe aisle, I purchase the latest addition to my collection that must now be placed in an exorbitantly large plastic bag that, while carried by my 5-foot frame, must then barely hover, or drag across the ground.

For all of these reasons, I couldn’t pass by the new Puma packaging which you can’t miss on any packaging website right now. Brand Packaging sums up all the wonderful things about it best:

After more than 2,000 ideas, 40 packaging prototypes and two years, PUMA has announced a new kind of shoe packaging. Unlike traditional shoe packaging. PUMA’s “Clever Little Bag” is made from 100 percent recycled paper and 20 percent recycled non-woven polypropylene. The new format will reduce the company’s paper usage by 65 percent, reducing its carbon emissions by 10 tons per year. It will also save 20 million Mega Joules of electricity, one million liters of fuel oil, one million liters of water, 500,000 liters of diesel and up to 275 tons of plastic by eliminating shopping bags.

A while back we wrote about technology that converts chicken feathers into flower pots. Sustainability in terms of turning waste into a resource for a new product, especially for products that are not simply commodities, is incredibly impressive. The example we just came across is the Java-Log. The company takes the used coffee grounds from manufacturers, retailers, homes, companies, etc. to create wood-burning logs.

Rod Sprule, the inventor, realized the energy potential of coffee grounds and developed the concept from there. The company claims that their product diverts 12 million pounds of coffee grounds from landfills per year. I can’t claim to be an expert at how hazardous coffee grounds are for the environment, but slowing down the growth rate of already overfilled landfills is an easy concept to grasp. Beyond the recycled production, the Java-Log itself emits up to 78% less carbon monoxide and up to 66% less creosote than cordwood fires. It was named one of Time Magazine’s “Coolest Inventions of 2003.” More recently, Java-Logs’s eco-friendliness gained the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s (CSIA) Accepted Product status. While we love the normal scent of wood burning in a fireplace, we can’t help wondering/hoping if the log gives off a coffee aroma?

HP recently sent out a press release announcing our purchase of their latest press!

Check out the capabilities our HP WS6000 press purchased in March 2010. It is the newest press on the market from HP and will increase our capabilities, including endless possibilities of substrates for printing.

“Short run, multiple SKUs, repeatable high-quality printing and the ability for variable data has helped to maintain our steady growth,” said Randy Duhaime, General Manager, Dion Label. “ The purchase of the HP Indigo WS6000 will allow us to continue this trend with longer run lengths transitioning from our conventional flexographic printing department to our digital department. WS6000 enhancements, such as its large repeat length and its ability to print on substrates from 12 microns to 450 microns, will open additional opportunities.”

Have you ever wondered how some businesses came up with their names? Or are you an entrepreneur trying to decide on the company or product name for your next venture? Well this slideshow proves that sometimes the biggest company names have come about pretty haphazardly. So when you and your partner are battling over whose name goes first, just flip a coin!

We featured Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle when they first announced its development. As one of the major sponsors of the Winter Olympics, the innovative PlantBottle packaging will be highlighted throughout this year’s games in Vancouver. True to form, Coca-Cola is also currently retailing Olympic-themed cans for the event as well.

"Our PlantBottle will be in the spotlight for the Olympic Games, introducing this innovative packaging to a global audience," says Nikos Koumettis, president Coca-Cola Canada. "The Coca-Cola Company has become the first to market with a recyclable PET plastic bottle made partially from plants, and we are excited that Canada is part of this major step in our journey towards sustainable packaging."

Ironically as I posted the battle of the brands blog, I came across this article link on packagingdesign.com. The private label vs. national brand debate is clearly a hot topic. While our last post gives an objective analysis of the packaging aspect, here we see how passionately the proponents for each side feel, and for good reason. National brands realize what’s at stake as store brands have become major competitors.

Marketers are constantly scrambling for design solutions that stand out, communicate credibility, convey value, resonate with consumers, compel purchase and promote loyalty. Finding these solutions, however, is not easy.

One way to know what's happening broadly with consumer brands and packaging is to attend industry-specific events and shows. In the United States, some of the most important consumer products shows include the Food Marketing Institute Show (FMI), Natural Products Expo, Fancy Food Show, Boston Seafood Show, Dairy-Deli-Bake, All Candy Expo, Toy Fair, International Home + Housewares Show, National Hardware Show, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, New York International Gift Fair, International Beauty Show (IBS) and Cosmoprof. While there are countless others, attending these will give you a good idea of what's going on in U.S. retail marketing and packaging design.

For the complete article, click here.

2009 marked the first full year for Dion’s blog, so we decided to take a moment to reflect on some of its highlights. With almost 200 entries this year we had a lot of options for choosing our favorites! Here are the top blogs we selected:

Products we’ve blogged about and tried:

"Neuro Brand Beverages": Stacy and I were lucky enough to receive samples all the way from the west coast of this product line. We loved everything from the product itself to the unique bottle design.

Colgate Wisp Blogs: Stacy likes these blogs, because not only were she and Karly able to write about these new products, but they also took the time to try them and decide how the design of the product actually had a functional purpose: the cool blue dot in the middle held the brush-able tasty liquid that helped clean our teeth, the fancy swish at the end acted as a toothpick.

• "Colgate Wisps: Hit or Miss?"
• "Brush on the go!"

"The Dear Hunter": This blog was near and dear to my heart not only because I love the design of the case but I’m also a huge fan. I also surprised myself with my respectable amateur photography skills.

Blogs highlighting good causes:

"October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month": Incorporating so many elements related to one important cause made this blog special. Non-profit organizations, products, television, celebrities, and even the world of dance came together to show support for breast cancer awareness.

"Labels Raise Awareness": Provided insight to companies that utilize their labels in raising money (and increasing sales) to help fight a disease. It’s a unique way of using labels. Some tell a story, some have funky shapes and designs… and some help save lives!

Some lighter moments:

"Sunscreen is no laughing matter!": This blog also falls into the above category, but funny man Will Ferrell always brings a little something extra. (You may have recently seen his engagement photo "crash" in the New York Times). They say that getting someone to laugh and then giving them important information helps them to retain the message. Ferrell certainly gets our attention on sun protection.

"Update on Blue Q": Once we quieted our giggles over the new humorous products from Blue Q, we stumbled upon the videos of their sales team and were off again. We’re not sure about you, but the leg lifts get us every time!

The most highlighted rebranding failure of the year:

Tropicana Blogs: The blogs about the whole Tropicana debacle is cool because it shows why packaging is such a key component of selling a product. From a marketer’s point of view, it also explains why so much research needs to go into brand changes to increase (not decrease!) sales.

• "PepsiCo and Carbon Trust Unite"
• "Out with the new, In with the Old?"

What were your favorite moments?

 Label & Narrow Web recently looked to industry experts for their article on short run labels and interviewed Dion Label Printing. The ability to affordably print short run orders has led to more opportunities for product manufacturers. Here is a brief excerpt from the article:

Stacy Santos, marketing manager for Dion Label Printing, Westfield, MA, USA, says the company takes into account the length of the run when deciding which printing process it’s going to use. In Dion’s case, short run jobs, among others, get moved to one of the company’s HP Indigo presses. "We decide whether a job will go digital or flexo based on the amount of footage we are going to run, the complexity of a customer’s label graphics and the number of SKUs in a particular run. About a third of our business is digital. We made the investment in digital in April 2005, and because our digital business grew so quickly, we invested in another HP Indigo digital press. And our digital operations have steadily grown over the years.

"Digital printing is perfect for multiple SKUs, low volume orders, promotional labels and prototyping," Santos says. "It’s a great way to offer high quality printing, complex graphics, and vibrant colors to customers that do not have large volume quantities. Our customers do not have to sacrifice label quality while keeping their inventories low."

Read the full article here!

As we approach the holidays various companies have begun to sell their products in holiday packaging. Some look more traditional than others, but capitalize on either gifts or everyday items that make consumers’ homes and lives a bit more festive. The two designs we found from Kleenex are very different but appeal to a variety of decorating tastes. The teal oval design has found a place in our office!

In the food and beverage industry, we found special holiday packaging for Stonewall Kitchen’s popular products that eliminate the need to gift wrap and an ornament-shaped bottle design from Coca-Cola. Pangea Organics gives their holiday gift boxes a little something extra: the gift box can be planted to actually grow a tree! Here’s how it works:

"Just soak the box for a day, and plant it in the earth. If everyone plants their holiday gift box and bar soap box this year, collectively, we will have planted 122,000 trees which is equivalent to not driving 30 million miles in one year! Multiply that out by 75 years, the average lifespan of a Spruce, and that’s 2 billion, 250 millions that we’re collectively offsetting!"

Have you come across other stand-out holiday packaging?

The market for men’s health and beauty products has been noticeably growing, which is why companies are focusing research into how to captivate the male audience. Of course these products need to stand out on the shelves from women’s products, but marketers are finding that it takes much more, starting with the brand’s identity and overall message. Needless to say it is important to know what kind of man you are targeting.

For many men, simplicity and efficiency are key making multi-function products perfect for this segment. Companies such as Nivea and TowelDry have created products specific for these needs. Nivea for Men’s Active 3 combines a body wash, shampoo and shaving gel that encourages men to simply "Shower. Shampoo. Shave." And new to the scene is TowelDry, keeping there product line minimal. After finding that their targeted men prefer to use one cleaning and one styling products the company developed hair products that clean, condition and lightly style for fine, medium, or thick hair, as well as a styling gel.

Beyond the actual product features, the entire packaging concept should reflect the brand’s message. From the packaging shape and functionality to the label design and use of color, the packaging should call out to men, especially because they browse the aisles less often than women. Aveda Men’s line of hair products reflects their eco-friendly status (made of 95% post-consumer recycled material) with neutral colors and a bottle shape more reminiscent of—fittingly—a beer bottle.

 For more on packaging for this market, read the full article here!

Okay, we may be a bit over the top, but Amourai Organique’s product line does exude the fairy tale fantasies that we women envision for our hair. We want the strength and growth of Rapunzel’s Oil Growth Hair Stimulator and all of the luxury we associate with royalty in Her Highness Conditioner and Duchess of Curls. Plus the modern woman wants her beauty products to be safe to use on herself and the environment. All of these elements went into founder Raiquel’s inspiration and motivation to create natural hair care products… that, and moisture. At home she developed the formulas that would provide effective moisture to her hair with an adamant philosophy of self-love.

Amourai Organique products are paraben- and sulfate-free and beneficial to all hair types. Products include shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, styling gel, hair lotion, hair moisturizer, and growth oil. All of these products follow the fable-inspired theme with witty names and majestic label designs.

The issues surrounding oil resources and consumption only continue to grow. So producing oil from plastic waste (a form of waste all too commonly not recycled) both begins to solve a multi-million ton waste problem and produces a highly valued resource. Envion’s Oil Generator^TM has been in the works for over 15 years and is the first technology of its kind. It can process up to 10,000 tons of plastic waste annually producing 30-50,000 barrels of refined petroleum. The system is capable of converting PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and several other plastic materials, such as GPPS, EPS, HIPS, and PA. The company gives away a bit of how the innovative technology works:

The key to the Envion Oil Generator^TM lies in its proprietary process. Building on this foundation, Envion has created a generator that extracts the hydrocarbons embedded in plastic waste without the use of a catalyst. The reactor, a vital component of the unit, utilizes a heating system that converts plastic into oil through low temperature thermal cracking in a vacuum. Using this innovative approach, the Envion Oil Generator^TM produces oil and power safely, efficiently, and economically through an environmentally sensitive process that produces a net gain in energy recaptured.

As a huge fan of novelties, I can’t help but spotlight Blue Q products. With products such as “Cat Butts” air freshner, “Mullet” magnet sets, “Instant Irish Accent” breath spray, and “We Met on Facebook” gum, it’s hard to not find a great gift for someone with a sense of humor. And the products are not all simply a joke. Shopping bags made of recycled material, BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, and dish towels meant to replace the use of paper towels show the company’s commitment to sustainability. It’s easy to meander the company website for hours checking out products. Take a look at the highly amusing “about us” page where you can see the company’s personality shine even more. Hopefully this recommendation will bring you a happy day!

Silver Hills Bakery shows off a pretty drastic brand redesign that allows their whole-grain breads to really stand out. This may be the best thing since sliced bread in its former conventional packaging. The Vancouver, BC-based company brought the project to Karacter Design Group who found that the "Squirrelly" bread had the greatest brand recognition and recall than any other for the company. All of the breads have since been creatively renamed, and the quirky illustrations that incorporate the product window are the work of Robert Hanson. The bags are very colorful and also biodegradable.

Seeking differentiation in an over-crowded bread section, this redesigned packaging picks up on the company’s simple, authentic values, and partners with a whimsical feel to leave the consumer smiling. A range of bold colours covering most of the package draws focus to the custom illustrations and the feature bread windows. This unique packaging jumps off the shelf and into the consumer’s shopping cart.

From September 23rd to 26th, Dion exhibited at booth #339 at the Natural Products Expo East at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. With over 21,000 industry members and 1500 booths, it was a showcase of the growing popularity for natural and organic products. It is no surprise that many attendees were interested in the eco-friendly material and soy ink labels featured at our booth (to request eco-friendly samples, click here!). Some trends we spotted were gluten-free foods, probiotic supplements, products made with goat’s milk, and products made from coconut. Next year, the show will be held at the same location on October 13-16, 2010.

Newsweek has recently announced their "exclusive environmental ranking of America's 500 largest corporations." After working for over a year, the magazine has developed a ranking system based on actual environmental performance, policies and reputation. Hewlett-Packard was at the top of not only their industry (beating out Dell, Intel, and IBM), but also at the top of the Top 500. They are recognized for their "strong programs to reduce GHG emissions," as "the first major IT company to report GHG emissions associated with its supply chain," and for their efforts "to remove toxic substances from its products."

The Green Score for each company is based on three components: the Environmental Impact Score, the Green Policies Score, and the Reputation Score.

HP’s Green Score: 100 (out of a possible 100; companies at the top scored in the 80’s or 90’s); Ranked 1st in their industry and 1st in the Top 500

The Environmental Impact Score takes into account over 700 variables to compile the total cost of the environmental impact the company has for its global operations.

HP’s EIS Score: 64.80 (out of a possible 100; the average EIS was 50.12); Ranked 35th in their industry and 175th in the Top 500.  

The Green Policies Score is an assessment of the company’s environmental policies and performance. "Its scoring model captures best-in-class policies, programs and initiatives, as well as regulatory infractions, lawsuits and community impacts, among other indicators."

HP’s Green Policies Score: 97.90 (out of a possible 100; the average was 39.91); Ranked 2nd in their industry and 3rd in the Top 500.

The Reputation Score is "based on an opinion survey of corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, academics and other environmental experts who subscribe to CorporateRegister.com. CEOs or high-ranking officials in all companies on the Newsweek 500 list were also invited to participate."

HP’s Reputation Score: 88.44 (out of a possible 100; the average was 34.44); Ranked 1st in their industry and 5th in the Top 500.

Dion Label Printing shares this eco-conscious mindset, and our digital press comes from HP. One of the environmental benefits of digital printing is a significant reduction of color setup waste. For more on the advantages of digital printing, click here!

To check out Newsweek’s Green Rankings 2009, click here!

Green Bay Converting, Inc. has introduced Ever Green bathroom tissue: the 2-ply bathroom tissue made of 100% recycled- minimum 20% post consumer- fiber. What’s more intriguing about this recycled product is the 100% recyclable packaging. Made without any plastic content, the design is similar to the soda "fridge pack," allowing easy dispense of the rolls. The carton also has a slot to collect the empty rolls, allowing the entire system to be recycled. Finally, making their eco-conscious process complete, the containers are shipped on pallets made of honeycomb corrugated cardboard, also 100% recyclable. As for the tissue itself, it is whitened without chlorine-based chemicals, contains no added dyes or fragrances, and is hypoallergenic. All-in-all, it appears to be a necessary commodity reducing its environmental impact.

From Green Bay Converting, Inc.: It's more than our name - it's our philosophy.  Packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials.  Even the pallet this product was shipped on is made from honeycomb corrugated cardboard, so it's fully recyclable!  By buying this product you are creating a strong and sustainable market for recovered paper grades.  Together, we can reduce the need to harvest trees, cut harmful emissions, and help eliminate the need to landfill these very valuable and very recyclable sources of paper fiber.

Recently, DuPont announced the winners of their 21st annual awards for "packaging innovations in enhanced sustainability and performance". The winners were "chosen for their demonstrations for innovative products and processes resulting in breakthroughs in sustainable packaging." The event was held through a global virtual forum for the first time. Click here for a link of the results!

The winners:

• Aveda™ Vintage Clove Shampoo from The Estee Lauder Companies – U.S.
• Whole Foods Baked Goods in Sealed Air’s Renew-A-Pak™ compostable bakeware from Biosphere Industries – U.S.
• Ecolean Group’s Lightweight Packaging - Sweden
• Healthy Choice Trays from ConAgra, Developed and Produced by Associated Packaging Technologies – U.S.
• Invisible Case Polyouters from Procter & Gamble – Belgium and Turkey
• All Days Pads in Tray and Hood Carton from Procter & Gamble – Germany and U.S.
• Bertolli® Pasta Sauce Pouches from Unilever and Amcor Flexibles – U.S.
• Prilosec OTC Pack from Procter & Gamble and Alcan Packaging – U.S.
• Pangea Organics Holiday Gift Boxes – U.S.
• Easy Pour Barrier Containers from A&C Packers - Australia

For those of you in the design field, or if you’re just generally intrigued by stylish packaging, take a look at these unique packaging concepts. The blog is run by a Brazilian-based team enthusiastic about design and the internet. Get inspired!

Packaging manufacturer Smurfit Kappa has developed a liner for corrugated boxes that is said to protect products ranging from glass to rubber that are susceptible to scratching and scuffing. The liner named SKuffguard eliminates the need for protective packaging such as bubble wrap therefore reducing the size of the box itself. This means lower packaging costs, better palletisation, and less time spent packaging for the manufacturer and unpacking the product on the retail end.

Less refuse is produced at the end of the supply chain, which will help retailers reduce their carbon footprint, and there is a single waste stream for recycling, which will help retailers be more efficient in waste disposal - the product is 100% recyclable.

Following a successful launch of "Help I have a headache" and "Help I’ve cut myself" in April 2008, Help Remedies has extended their product redesign to more of their health remedies. This packaging is very simple in design, but addresses exactly what goes through one’s mind as they search the drug store isles for their health solution. Although it is not too drastic of a redesign for Help Remedies, it does take a sweeping turn from traditional packaging. The added color and streamlined packaging size gives the product line cohesion, especially when placed together on the POP display. Furthermore, the packaging is eco-friendly:

Our packaging is made of molded paper pulp and a bio plastic made primarily of corn. We use these materials because they are interesting to look at, and they are compostable—which means one day, they might become part of a large tree.

BEFORE & AFTER:

The products can be purchased online and at a few retail locations. Definitely take the time to explore Help Remedies’ witty website.

We read and write a lot about how marketing consumer goods is more difficult than ever. To set your products apart from the abundant options for consumer beauty products, your promotions need to be creative and take advantage of technology and trends. Here are some recent tips from Global Cosmetic Industry on how to not only reach out to new customers, but to keep the loyalty of your existing ones:

Kits. Offering a combination of smaller sized products for the price of one normal-sized product is a good way to get new or existing customers on board for your entire product line.

Samples. Whether they are priced lower or free, attached to normal sized products or offered on their own, samples allow customers a low risk opportunity to test your product.

Free Stuff! Free samples are a great idea for an in-store/spa promotion. It’s a way to attract new customers without them having to make an investment.

Get online. Between e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or your company website, quick and easy online access to your target market allows you to send out up-to-the-minute information and promotions.

Go green. The green movement continues to grow, so allowing customers to contribute through the purchase of your eco-friendly products will show return even though they may be more expensive. At Dion Label Printing, our processes are eco-friendly, and we have eco-friendly material for your labels. Request samples here!

Know the competition. Keep up to date with the promotion tactics of your competitors.

Full article here

You may already be familiar with the cold-activated blue mountains on the label of Coors Light bottles. But the company has also recently introduced this feature on 8-, 10-, 12- and 16-ounce Coors Light and Coors Banquet cans. The confidence of serving a perfectly chilled beer is created by thermochromatic ink. This ink on the bottle labels and aluminium cans is temperature sensitive. In these cases, the ink turns color as it cools, but it can also be activated by heat, based on the desired activation temperature.

Boisset has also introduced a Cooldot® on bottles of their Mommessin Beaujolais Grande Reserve. Best served chilled, the Cooldot® spot changes color when the wine temperature is optimal for serving. The aluminum bottle is also more environmentally friendly than the traditional glass wine bottle. Thermochromic ink can be function and style: it is a way to ensure your product is used at its best and an added feature that, if applicable, will make your product stand out.

Dion Label Printing, Inc. has the capability to print thermochromic inks. To request a quote, click here.

In today’s environment, everyone emphasizes what they are doing to be "green," "natural," "socially responsible," and just about any other do good word or phrase you can think of. So, what do these buzzwords actually mean in the health and beauty industry? A recent article in Beauty Packaging breaks down some of these interpretations within the beauty industry and shows some gaps that present great opportunity.

NATURAL- The word "natural" means the product is "safe for use on skin." Women may believe the product is mineral based, healthier for you, or does not contain dyes or additives. About 73% of women believe natural beauty products are safe to use on their skin.

ORGANIC- Women associate "organic" products as "without chemicals." They also believe that they are healthier to use and do not contain dyes or additives. However, compared to natural products, only 54% of women perceive organic products to be safe to use on their skin.

GREEN/ECO-FRIENDLY- These products are seen as "helpful to the environment". Not only are they safe for the environment, but women also say that they utilize biodegradable packaging, have packaging made of recycled materials, are made of renewable resources, and are made by companies that use renewable energy such as wind or solar power.

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS/RESPONSIBLE- Women think more of the company when it comes to these key words. They believe it mostly means the company gives back to the community and does not test on animals.

When polled on which kinds of products women were interested in and if they had actually used them, the results show some interesting gaps:

Clearly, many of the women interested in "natural" beauty products are already using them. The greatest opportunity gap exists for "green/eco-friendly" products. Although fewer women associate these products as healthier for you, they do seem intrigued by the effect their beauty products have on the environment. Research also shows that these potential consumers are more hesitant to buy. Getting samples without investing in the products and greater product awareness may be a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Read the full article here.

Brand Packaging's Sustainable Packaging Design Gallery is an online showcase of packages that have creatively addressed their impact on the environment. Brand Packaging has chosen companies that have made valiant efforts to go green as well as show how environmentalism can still address the marketing considerations of a brand. This online resource center also contains a directory of suppliers and brand/design firms offering sustainable products and services. This resource center divides eco-friendly packaging into four main groups: recycled materials, compostable packaging, reusable format and sourced reduced.

Click here to visit this gallery!

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) the world’s largest restaurant company and parent of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, has opened an environmentally-friendly KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts. The restaurant is the Company’s first effort to pursue certification under the United States Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. With the assistance of some of the leading sustainability and restaurant experts, Yum! Brands has carefully studied the environmental performance of the existing KFC-Taco Bell restaurant design and through the application of an integrated approach, a green transformation has occurred.

"The Northampton KFC-Taco Bell is part of our E3 Initiative focusing on the Energy, Environment and Economics of our buildings," said Jonathan Balas, AIA, LEED AP, KFC Project Architect, the architect who spearheaded and coordinated the project.

Highlights of the restaurant design can be categorized by several key aspects: reducing carbon footprint, water conservation and quality, and sensible building materials and resources use. The restaurant, designed to use 30 percent less energy and water than a conventional building, also cuts CO2 emissions, reduces waste going to landfills/incinerators and educates visitors and employees on sustainable design.

In order to reduce its carbon footprint, the restaurant uses solar energy to preheat fresh air coming into the building which reduces the use of natural gas. Additionally, the restaurant is using a sophisticated lighting control system that maximizes the use of natural light. LED lights, the most energy-efficient available today, were utilized where feasible both inside the restaurant, in the parking lot and on signage. Utilizing more energy efficient kitchen and building equipment, and purchasing renewable energy credits, also minimizes the restaurant’s carbon footprint.

Water conservation is a high priority in the new KFC-Taco Bell restaurant. Harvested rainwater is used for irrigation. Fixtures with lower water consumption rates, and a rain garden with filters that improve storm water quality, are in place to address conservation and water use.

Many of the materials used to build the green restaurant, such as counter tops and building insulation, contained recycled content. The wood used during construction was sustainably harvested. The restaurant composts and recycles waste, including enhanced cooking oil reclamation. The building also reduces the environmental impact of new construction and provides a testing "lab" to confirm the feasibility and green performance of new technologies.

Massachusetts is an ideal setting for this ambitious building exploration. Northampton residents have already embraced efforts to reduce society’s environmental footprint on the planet, so the restaurant was a good fit. Customers can cycle to the restaurant utilizing a bicycle path which connects to the parking lot, and patrons driving hybrid cars will enjoy the benefit of preferred parking.

Yum! Brands issued its first Corporate Responsibility Report titled "Serving the World" during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Report examines Yum! Brands’ social, environmental and economic impact based on company and external stakeholder expectations, with focus on: Corporate Governance and Ethics, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Culture and People Development, Health and Nutrition, Environment, Supply Chain, and Community Giving and can be accessed on www.yum.com/responsibility/.

Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants, with more than 36,000 restaurants in more than 110 countries and territories. The company is ranked #253 on the Fortune 500 List, with revenues in excess of $11 billion in 2008. Four of the company’s restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s – are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza, Mexican-style food and quick-service seafood categories, respectively. Outside the United States, the Yum! Brands system opened more than four new restaurants each day of the year, making it the largest retail developer in the world. The company has consistently been recognized for its reward and recognition culture, diversity leadership, community giving, and consistent shareholder returns. For the second year, the company launched the world’s largest private sector hunger relief effort in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme and other hunger relief agencies. To date, this effort is helping to save approximately 4 million people in remote corners of the world, where hunger is most prevalent.

Do you want to teach your kids how to conserve energy and save money? Power-Hog is a new green friendly gadget that monitors energy consumption. All you need to do is plug the hog’s tail into your power outlet and connect the device to the hog’s snout and you are good to go! You must insert a coin into the Power-Hog for 30 minutes of time using the electronic device currently plugged in; this is a great way to monitor kid’s computer or television usage. Of course, this piggy bank like gadget allows you to remove the money when necessary. The hog itself is made of recycled PET and is 100% recyclable! Look out for these pigs to start flying off shelves nationally.

It takes up to 500 years for a disposable diaper to biodegrade in a landfill. Thanks to a company called gDiapers, eco-friendly diapers are available. Cloth diapers are also a green option. However, gDiapers is the best of both worlds, cloth and disposable diaper all in one. gDiapers consist of a washable outer lining that contains a plastic-free flushable diaper refill. "gDiapers puts waste where it belongs, in the toilet. Not the landfill," states gDiapers.com.

These ‘little g’ pants come in a variety of colors and are available at $16.99 a piece. They are made up of 92% cotton and 8% spandex, perfect for little ones on the go. Refills go for about $14.49 a piece, a bargain price for saving the planet! Read all about gDiapers here at their website.

The Mobius loop, often called the recycling symbol, is used to promote recyclable content of paper products. The three chasing arrows symbol came about in 1970 when Gary Anderson, then a 23 year old college student from the University of Southern California, entered a contest put on by the Container Corporation of America. Gary’s entry into the raising awareness of environmental issues design contest is now the universal symbol for recycling.

According to thepapermillstore.com, "When you use the recycled paper symbol, you are indicating to consumer that the paper or envelope you are using was manufactured using recycled fiber - either pre-consumer or post-consumer waste. This is considered less harmful to the environment because less virgin fiber is used; thereby reducing tree harvesting, water usage, energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases and pollution."

The recycling symbol is not a trademark; therefore, it can be used on any product as long as it is not misleading or deceptive. There are many variations of the recycling symbol. When the universal symbol is found inside of a circle shape, it lets you know that the object has been made from recyclable materials. If you peek at the bottom of your bottled water you will see this form of recycling symbol, the plastic resin type symbol. This triangular shaped recycling symbol has a number from 1-7 placed in the center denoting what type of resin the bottle is formed from. These are only a few of the numerous variations of recycling symbols; go here to check out a few more.

Let Dion Label Printing, Inc help you become sustainable! Currently at Dion Label we have 30%, 50%, and 100% post consumer content. Along with our post consumer content we also have a PLA material, which is a film material made from corn. To see printed samples on eco-friendly material, please request a sample packet.

Localgreenie.org is a free online listing of green and socially responsible businesses. Their directory covers environmental impact, fair trade, recycling, solar energy, community support, and more. Users of the localgreenie.org site can utilize the site as a guide to green products and services, or even learn about how the local businesses in your community are taking steps to becoming green. We have recently printed some promotional materials for Localgreenie.org on PLA material.

PolyLactic Acid (PLA) is an environmentally-friendly material that is made from corn. PLA is biodegradable; when PLA comes into contact with an organic substance, such as soil, it will decompose completely in about 100 days. Due to its biodegradable nature it has become useful for loose-fill packaging, compost bags, and food packaging. PLA is only one of the many options we have at Dion Label Printing for eco-friendly material. Visit our sustainability page for more information!  

Bloomsberry & Co is taking a bite out of the chocolate industry with their witty packaging and delicious chocolate. Graphic designer Giles Barker and his wife Vanessa Kettelwell are the brains behind Bloomsberry & Co. Their chocolate is harvested from cacao trees in warm, often tropical, areas. Cacao bean is one of the main ingredients in chocolate and is found within the cacao pods, these pods are harvested once they hit the ground. The quality of Bloomsberry & Co chocolates are due to the patience and precision they take during the harvesting period.

"There are some big players in the chocolate category, but by creating a unique gift item with a story behind our brand, Bloomsberry transcends that," says Mr. Barker. "Chocolate packaging is typically a very traditional and serious business – we are coming at it from a very different position." Different position is right! In a world of boring packaging these chocolate bars contain names such as bochox, emergency chocolate, girth control, and lusty. With their bold colors and humorous slogans it’s no wonder why this New Zealand based company is now spreading like wildfire. Bloomsberry & Co can be found in Manchester, Melbourne, Paris, Singapore, and New York. The chocolate bars can be found in retail chains such as Barnes & Noble, Borders books, and Whole Foods Market. To learn more about Bloomsberry & Co you can visit their website here.

In our current economic state, convenience is a huge driving factor for consumers. Not only has this impacted the customer but packagers have to reconsider packaging designs and materials, as well as their transportation and distribution processes. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscience and are demanding eco-friendly products and packaging. They are turning more and more to packaged food and beverages that are allowing them convenient, healthy alternatives to going out to eat.

Sargento Potato and Salad Finishers are a perfect example of restaurant style quality at home in an affordable package. These two lines are available in stand up pouches that are functional and have sustainable benefits, all while meeting the consumer’s requests. Another example of this would be Diageo’s Value Added Packaging gift packs that were across shelves this recent holiday season. These gift packs featured 100% recyclable materials and were paired with popular brands such as Jose Cuervo, Crown Royal, VO, and Captain Morgan. The new design of the gift packs featured recycled PET rather then the old polyvinyl chloride film. The change in the packaging materials is in direct response to consumer’s desire for sustainable products.

Baby Boomers make up a third of the U.S. population and spend $2 trillion each year, and they are spending their money on products that meet their desires. Consumer convenience is an essential need for the consumer’s hectic lifestyle and packagers have begun catering to their needs.

Click here to read the entire article. Looking for sustainable labels? Dion Label Printing can help you!

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The United Kingdom is encouraging the dairy industry to become more sustainable. They are aiming for a 50% reduction in plastics used in milk packaging by 2020. Marybelle dairy started selling milk in 2008 using GreenBottles. Greenbottles are used in place of the milk cartons. These bottles are molded from recycled office paper and low-density plastic liners and have a 48% lower carbon footprint then a normal milk container.

Another example of sustainable packaging from the United Kingdom is the use of JUGIT. JUGIT is a reusable jug that is associated with a plastic pouch of milk. The lid of JUGIT features a spike attachment that punctures the milk pouch when closed. The milk pouches use 75% less packaging then normal plastic milk containers! There is also a company located in the United Kingdom that is trying to introduce polystyrene milk bottles which would make the bottles weigh 20% less and reduce costs 25%!

Whole Foods Market announced last week it will be the first company in the United States to generate all of their energy needs by the use of recycled cooking oil. The recycled kitchen oil is generated from the Whole Food Markets commissary kitchen, generating about 1,200 gallons per week.

"Being able to repurpose over 1,200 gallons of cooking oil a week, which was previously considered a waste product, to fuel a system that reduces our dependency on conventional fossil fuel sources and results in less harmful emissions helps us move one step closer to our goal of becoming a ‘zero waste’ company," said Jeff Turnas, president of Whole Foods Market’s North Atlantic Region.

To learn more about Whole Food Market efforts go here.

Recently, Wal-Mart unveiled its packaging scorecard. Wal-mart's goal is to reduce packaging across its global supply chain by 5% by 2013. Dion Label Printing, Inc. is continously changing and improving our processes so that we can offer you more sustainable printing techniques. Aside from offering eco-friendly material and printing with earth friendly inks, we've done a number of things internally to be sustainable. Check out our sustainability page, or download our "Proud to be Green" articles.

Wal-Mart’s packaging scorecard is a measurement tool that allows suppliers to evaluate themselves relative to other suppliers, based on specific metrics. The metrics in the scorecard evolved from a list of favorable attributes announced earlier this year, known as the “7 R’s of Packaging”: Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew, Revenue, and Read. Through months of consultations, the Packaging Sustainable Value Network, a group of 200 leaders in the global packaging industry, including suppliers, experts, and internal and external stakeholders, outlined the following metrics for the packaging scorecard:

• 15% will be based on GHG / CO2 per ton of Production
• 15% will be based on Material Value
• 15% will be based on Product / Package Ratio
• 15% will be based on Cube Utilization
• 10% will be based on Transportation
• 10% will be based on Recycled Content
• 10% will be based on Recovery Value
• 5% will be based on Renewable Energy
• 5% will be based on Innovation

For more information visit Walmart.com or Walmart at Pack Expo 2008.