Sustainable Packaging Competition 'Better With Less' Roundtable; Finalists Share Insights and Inspiration

The second Better With Less Design Challenge was created to find new environmentally-friendly and functional packaging solutions for some of the world’s most frequently used, fastest-growing types of consumer packages. Organized by Metsä Board, the European producer of premium fresh fiber paperboards, the submissions were judged by an international jury, including renowned packaging design experts from various fields related to packaging, design, brand strategy, and innovation. 

After we identified the finalists and chose the winners, Metsä Board convened a Roundtable of the finalists and winners to get insights from these package designers on what motivated and inspired them to create these concepts and whether they believe they would motivate other companies to seek sustainable design solutions.

What was the initial idea for your “Better With Less” concept?

Alessandro Grossi, Twist, Pop-up & Host Snack Packaging: The main concept is a critique of the excessive standardization of the packaging industry. I've always been interested in the users' behavior, and I'm currently examining the way conditioning behaviors can affect environmental issues.

Eric Smith and Pushan Panda - Bruk Beverage Carton: Our initial idea was to create the most sustainable and convenient beverage carton that is 100% recyclable. We were motivated to design this solution when we learned that paper milk cartons are often not recyclable because they are produced by sandwiching paper between two very thin layers of plastic. We felt that by using “cradle to cradle design” principles, we could design a carton that is just as convenient but is 100% recyclable without needing advanced recycling steps, making it better suited to a circular economy.

Christine Gamboa – Expandable Eco Street Food Package - The design aims to replace single-use plastics in the global street food industry. People are spending more money on unique food experiences, but the packaging has also become one of the most prolific contributors to single-use plastic in the world.

Hamzeh Za’balawi – Reload Battery Package: We created a package that is not only sustainable but functional. One side is for used batteries housed separately from the full batteries, so as not to cause confusion, while also eliminating the need for a special box for empties. Each time a used battery is inserted, the red bar moves, and, once full, it’s ready to go into the battery recycling box. The package can be adapted to most battery sizes and is made with uncoated paper.

Elisabeth Wittauer – Online World Ecommerce Packaging: In the online world, it is difficult to give the customer a perfect unpacking moment, one that surprises the consumer and also is environmentally friendly. Tissue replaces the plastic that is often found inside e-commerce packages for protection. The package opening is simplified, with two stripes placed across each other. The packaging can be opened at the perforated line created for it, and closed with sticky tape. For returns, the stripes simply have to be replaced by the sticky tapes inside. It’s also easy to stack and deliver.

Anna Nowak – Cradle Box Children’s Toy: The initial idea was to create packaging that has a second life. I think that those two ideas, better with less and second life, are very consistent.

Silvana Ruiz – Crayon House Packaging: The design of this packaging is specifically created to appeal to kids. The shape of a house provides whimsy and sets it apart from other crayon packaging. The package can also get used for creative purposes. For example, kids can customize and draw on it. The handles enable kids to take it anywhere and draw anytime.

What do you think the future is for this type of concept?

Magdalena Schmitz / Sarah Redlich / Mikayla Just / Alejandro Don Flores – Razor Dispenser: Our design concept aimed to significantly reduce the amount of material needed to package disposable razors as well as add a secondary function to the packaging. In the future, we think it is important that packaging is more than just what covers the product. Giving the packaging another function extends the life of not only the package but the product, therefore decreasing waste. This is just the first step towards reducing the environmental impact that disposable razors have. 

Jasper Chou – Project FF, French Fries/Ketchup Packaging: I think it should be used in many fast-food restaurants to replace the existing chip boxes. It is better both from the perspective of user experience and environmental protection.

Elisabeth Wittauer: It will revolutionize the online market. My packaging is good for the environment and gives the consumer a perfect unpackaging moment. It is very easy to use, and you can design it freely.

What are the main challenges to creating beautiful and functional packaging that’s also sustainable?

Priscila Rios Salas – Cosmos Cosmetic Packaging: One of the main challenges is to find a way to use the least possible material and create a great design that can give a second use to your product.

Eric Smith: The main challenge was in building robustness and reliability into a simple and aesthetically pleasing design. For our beverage carton to succeed it must reliably contain the beverage in an easy to use and familiar form factor, while also being convenient and easy for people of all different physical abilities to tear apart for recycling.

Alessandro Grossi: When it comes to food, the main challenge is preserving the contents, but luckily, new materials have been designed in recent years that guarantee good preservation performances.

Jasper Chou: I think the question goes back to the original meaning of design because design is for the consumer. I wanted to be functional first, and then address the look, while being environmentally friendly. Although Louis Sullivan said, “form follows the function,” nowadays, I still think simplicity is best, so the biggest challenge is to balance all three.

How is sustainability taken into consideration in your design?

Jasper Chou: Sustainability is the most important part of my design. I designed a structure that can get rid of the glue, as well as the waste of independent ketchup packaging, thereby reducing packaging to the minimum.

Alessandro Grossi: I've researched the most sustainable material for my project, and I tried to work on the psychological consequences of interaction, both physical and non-physical, with the aim of shaping a positive mindset that could value the correct disposal of the pack.

Christine Gamboa: This mono-material packaging can be a multi-tool for serving food with the intent of replacing various single-use plastic and Styrofoam containers. The package was created with inspiration from different cultural street food influences while also ergonomically designed to have different functions ranging from a cone for handheld food to allow the consumer to be on the move, to a plate for full meals and/or flat-type foods allowing consumers to sit down and enjoy their meals. It is also constructed to minimize the space occupied by the container during storage and disposal, taking up only 1mm when folded.

Eric Smith: Our design uses materials that are 100% recyclable and can be recycled into the same product multiple times. We designed Bruk to be simple, fun, and easy, so that it’s recycled every time.