The paints are water/solvent and oil based, and that means they are using two kinds of packaging - plastic for solvent based and metal for oil based paints. Moreover the secondary packaging is being used to protect the tin and plastic with corn starch around them, so they would not move.
The company, that is based in the UK, has to get the paints form Germany or Sweden, after the manufacturers from these countries get the packaging from Poland. There is a lot of ground to cover and the carbon footprint is even too scary to calculate.
And what happens if there is a spill? We had to think about the paint.
As E. Bulmer's product manager Peter Lawley mentioned that premium paint companies still expect tin cans for packaging as a norm.
But there are a lot of issues with tin cans:
- They tent do roll around when being transported
- They tend to get dents - that means cannot be displayed on the shelf
- They rust
- Cannot be refilled
- Can be recycled, though have quite an impact on earth
There is no way tin cans should be reintroduced to the Pots of Paint. There are so many ways to go beyond metal nowadays, that it is just silly to stick to the option we have known for decades. Especially when the company's wealth is in interest.
As I decided to move from tin cans and plastic quite radically, I began to research various alternatives to liquid packaging:
Started from compostable food packaging:
"Eatware products come in a variety of shapes and sizes, can safely hold oils and water, be stored in the fridge, are microwave-safe, AND are 100% compostable. Eatware is made of 100% natural fibers from bamboo, sugar cane pulp, starch and water- and no chemical additives! While there are several biodegradable food container companies on the market, some potato starch based; some corn starch based, Eatware is among the most durable and safe- decomposable in the compost and dispersed in water in just two weeks."
How Dell Turned Bamboo and Mushrooms Into Environmental-Friendly Packaging:
"At Dell, the sustainability team, working with suppliers and recyclers,
has developed new compostable packaging materials made from bamboo and
mushrooms. As John Pflueger, Principal Environmental Strategist, says,
“It’s absolutely amazing.”"
Mushrooms and bamboo? Dell delves into packaging alternatives:
"Dell didn't come up with the whole mushroom cushion idea itself. Its partner in the ongoing pilot is Ecovative Design, a company from Green Island, N.Y., developing new materials derived from mycelium, which it likens to a "living polymer.""
EcoFeutre. Natural Packaging - Info telling us that paper does not only have to be made from wood:
"All additives used in the production process to provide molded cellulose with mechanical properties, either physical or for special purposes, are entirely biodegradable. For instance, it is a natural glue which is used to strengthen the fibers. This way more recycled (short) fibers can be used in packaging production."
As well as this - GreenBottle:
Completely biodegradable, lighter in weight, keeps the drinks cold, and contains any kind of liquid.
GreenBottle is made from 2 components
- A moulded outer shell made from either virgin or preferably recycled paper / cardboard. The bottles can be moulded to the same shape as most plastic equivalents.
- A loose plastic inner liner that the consumer separates from the cardboard outer to recycle separately.
- The cardboard outer can go into the mainstream recycling streams and can then be used to make other recycled cardboard products.
- The outer shell can itself be made from 100% recycled material
- Cardboard recycling rates across Europe are about 69% (European Recovered Paper Council 2010) and paper can be recycled as much as 6 times
- The cardboard shell is made from a renewable and sustainable source.
- The carbon footprint is lower than the competition - in the case of PET and glass, significantly lower.
- The inner liner uses 70% less plastic than a plastic bottle and this figure is set to increase to nearly 80% with our recent technology advances
"In this section you will find our handmade seeded papers. All of these papers (apart from Lavender) can be used and then planted to produce a variety of different flowers. We are able to offer a bespoke handmade paper making service where you can choose your own colour/shade of paper and seed of your choice."
So, it is pretty clear what options are there to take. All sustainable, lessening the carbon footprint.
- Multi component molded pulp with inner film liner. Can hold all liquids. 100% recyclable and degradable.
- Paper made out of bamboo or palm leaf fiber. Can hold all liquids. 100% recyclable and degradable.
- Hand made seeded paper. May be planted. Good for secondary use. 100% recyclable and degradable. Might be too thin for packaging. Better for labels.
Packaging ideas:
The main idea:
To have an Outer Shell and an Inner Pouch.
Outer Shell. It would be made out of bamboo fibers - 100% biodegradable or recyclable. Packaging shape would be for easier handling and comfortability.
Inner Pouch. Would be made out of completely 100% recyclable plastic. Up to 70% less plastic (#4LDPE plastic, produces low volume waste) vs. plastic bottles. Compatible with standard fillers. Has a cap on top.
Label. Would be made out of seed paper. Easily separated from the packaging. May be planted. Can be printed on or embedded.
Ink. 100% biodegradable ink if used. Otherwise, embedded.
Transportation. The transportation would be in twos. Made out of pulp/ mushroom/ plastic carrying two Inner Pouches from a chosen country to Germany/ Sweden. Imported to the UK when filled. Put into the Outer Shells and transported to shops in the same transportation rack.
The rack could be held in shops, in case a client wants two refills at once.
Refills. It could be refilled in the UK into the same Inner Pouch when brought by a client back to a certain location and used again.
Secondary use. The label could be easily separated from the packaging and planted into the ground, watered and wildflowers/ spices grown.
References:
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