Companies constantly innovate with technology and redesign their packaging to get better performance, improve marketability and enhance sustainability. Here’s a look at four new or redesigned packaging solutions on Packaging Dive’s radar.
X marks the accessibility spot
Microsoft introduced more accessible packaging for Xbox electronics in conjunction with three new accessible gaming devices. It designed the box for the newly released Xbox Adaptive Joystick with considerations for people with disabilities or dexterity limitations.
The shipping box’s center seam is held together with tape that has loops on the ends for easy removal. The controller box has a large tab at the base to aid unboxing, as well as a hinged lid with large loops for ease with removing the device. The packaging does not include twist ties or cables that could complicate handling.
Microsoft applied insights learned during the controller box development to the packaging for other products, too. One example is the redesigned packaging for three new Xbox Series X|S consoles that became available this week. It incorporated loops and a top-down opening for improved accessibility.
“Gaming with a disability is highly individualistic, and we will continue to invest in Xbox’s accessibility offerings – taking into account feedback from the millions of players with disabilities from around the world,” Microsoft said in a news release.
Fun in a box
DS Smith says it “playfully designed” corrugated boxes with multiple secondary uses for Funzy, which makes children’s modular play furniture. While the box protects the furniture products during transport and storage, it can later be converted into a shelf or transformed into toys for children.
The bottom flap contains die-cuts that can be assembled into figures such as rockets and rocking horses. The box can also be formed into a small shelf for children to use.
“The packaging design is intended to create a learning process and the unboxing experience itself can be one of excitement and inspiration for both children and adults as they are exposed to diverse possibilities of a simple concept in upcycling,” the company said in a news release.
Toasting a substrate switch
De Nada Tequila has rebranded, with the help of design firm Sandstrom Partners. It switched substrates for its bottles, the company said in a news release, introducing what it says is the world’s first tequila in an aluminum bottle. The bottles are made from recycled material and are recyclable after use, the company said.
The bottle weighs less than glass, which contributes to a carbon-neutral footprint, the company said on Instagram. And the metal material renders the container not easily breakable, which “is perfect for any adventure — take it with you wherever you go,” the website says.
“In the spirits industry, sustainability should not just be a trend; it should be an expectation,” said Danny Neeson, co-founder and president of De Nada Tequila, in the news release. “Consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and are choosing brands that prioritize sustainability. By adopting aluminum bottles, we are meeting this demand and leading by example.”
The bottles are now available in select retail locations in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. They’ll also ship nationwide when purchased on De Nada’s website.
Shatterproof shower reusables
Plastics manufacturer and recycler Alpla partnered with reusable packaging developer Zerooo to create reusable bottles for cosmetics made of PET. At the end of their usable lives, the bottles and caps can be recycled, the companies said in a news release.
The 300 milliliter containers are available in clear, brown and milky white versions. They are shatterproof, which makes them ideal for use in shower and bathroom settings, the companies said. Each bottle is laser engraved with a 2D code to provide information about the contents and the bottle’s circulation history.
“The digital labelling enables transparency and ensures the quality of the bottles,” said Jörg Schwärzler, senior technology manager at Alpla, in the news release.
Next month, manufacturers in Germany will begin rolling out products in the reusable bottles, and Austrian manufacturers will follow in October.
