Sustainability in Package Design

Conversations around sustainability, environmental impact, and eco-friendliness have become more central to brands and their products. Not only is it ethical for companies to consider their environmental impact, but it is also necessary in order to be trusted by their consumers.  

We partner with brands to execute their sustainable efforts on and off pack, from presenting eco-friendly design solutions to communicating efforts through various media. 

Through our client partnerships, we’ve seen the tactical ways brands bring their sustainability efforts to life through their products and packaging. Because it’s Better aims to provide a healthier, more sustainable protein alternative for dog food through their innovative plant-based products. All Free and  Clear pure provides a powerful clean through a 99% bio-based detergent, which is gentle on skin and better for the environment. ZeroWater’s EcoFilter helps consumers use fewer plastic bottles by providing unmatched filtration technology straight from the tap. Plus, unlike competitors, its long-lasting filter utilizes no plastic filter shells, also cutting down on waste.  

Education is also a central component in sustainability. We’re partnered with clients to create concise and intelligible communications both on and off pack (via QR codes and digital content) that guide consumers on how to properly recycle packaging.  

With increased environmental focus and research bringing more solutions to the forefront of design, we’re excited to continue to help brands innovate for a healthier future. Recyclable packaging, waste-reducing solutions, safer chemicals in cleaning products – every step towards sustainability is progress. 

Interested in learning more about our experience working with brands on their sustainable packaging solutions? Contact us below and click here to read about our membership in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.  

Smith Design Joins the Sustainable Packaging Coalition

We are excited to announce that Smith Design is now a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition! We are honored to join the ranks of brands, agencies and manufacturers across the supply chain that are committed to finding and implementing more sustainable packaging solutions.

Sustainability has long been a core value at Smith Design. As brand and packaging designers, we feel a unique responsibility to be accountable for our own footprint and to be actively engaged in and committed to advancing sustainability in the packing industry as a whole. We look forward to continuing our journey towards a greener future, both as an independent business and in partnership with our clients. To learn more about the SPC and its initiatives, click here.

The Importance of Sustainability

Sustainability, environmental impact, eco-friendliness – these are more than just trending buzzwords. Not only is it ethical for companies to consider the environmental impact of their operations, but it is also necessary in order to be trusted by their consumers (especially socially-conscious millennials). The way many brands approach sustainability in their products and packaging has adapted with increased environmental focus and research. 

Some brands are created with green-friendliness at the core of their products. Ocean Huggers produces plant-based alternatives to seafood. Ahimi replicates raw tuna with tomatoes, and unami utilizes eggplant to replace freshwater eel. The goal is to reduce the stress overfishing causes on our oceans. 

In addition to eco-friendly products, many companies incorporate sustainability into their packaging as well. Seed Phytonutrients, a producer of natural bath products, is credited with developing the first shower-friendly paper bottle. These unique bottles use 60% less plastic than traditional bottles. The paper is able to withstand water without getting damaged, then it dries to look good as new.  

Pretty famously, Saltwater Brewery created a biodegradable six-pack holder in response to the overwhelming amount of plastic in our oceans. The sustainable holder safely disintegrates in water and is actually edible for ocean wildlife. The Florida brewery hopes this innovation will draw attention to the environment and inspire people to find ways they can contribute to a sustainable future. 

As the impact we have on the environment becomes increasingly apparent, people are discovering new ways to innovate towards a healthier future. From creative shampoo bottles to new enzymes that break down plastic in record time (learn more in our newsletter), every step towards sustainability is progress.