Landor Associates publishes a packaging trends forecast. 5 areas they foresee will be further discovered and focused on, in 2014. “Trends in packaging are demonstrating slow but steady innovation that keeps customers engaged and excited. Green packaging in particular is coming of age, evolving to add perks well beyond efficiency and waste reduction.” Read the 5 areas below and the full report here.

Plant-based choices

Bioresins and plant-based packaging will continue coming to market in 2014. In addition to simply replacing plastics with these materials, manufacturers are finding innovative uses for biological packaging to give consumers extra product benefits. The potato starch and paper container from Veuve Clicquot is not only 100 percent biodegradable and recyclable, it also insulates the bottle, keeping it cool for up to two hours. Many brands have zero-waste options in the works, such as edible rice paper food wrappers and packaging that washes away in water.

Second life

Packaging with dual uses resonates with the environmentally conscious and the budget conscious alike by reducing waste and giving the customer two products in one. A Dutch company sells lightbulbs whose packaging can turn into a lampshade. Lu, the French biscuit brand, has introduced a box that becomes a child’s toy when refolded.

Pure and simple

Customers today want to know where their food comes from and what ingredients go into it. To meet this demand, food brands are rolling out packaging that communicates simplicity, purity, and natural origins. Beautifully photographed, fresh-looking ingredients are gracing packages on nearly every grocery shelf. Target’s Simply Balanced private label uses a circle graphic paired with appealing food photography on a field of turquoise. Pillsbury’s Simply line is clothed in a white package with no-nonsense typography and product imagery. Natural hues and unbleached papers combined with pops of vibrant color are being used to show flavor variety, as with Triscuit’s bright accents reminiscent of colors used in fashion and home décor.

Beauty to go

In 2014 we’ll see on-the-go packaging move into the beauty category. Sample sizes not only fit perfectly in a travel bag or purse, but are a great inducement to try a new luxury item. Sephora is taking advantage of the latter opportunity by including trial-size products with purchases. Offering samples at checkout is a smart targeting move—with freebies given only to those who have already shown an interest in high-end beauty.

Celebrity co-branding

More and more brands are adding cachet to their lines through the name recognition of artists and designers. Target is well known for partnering with major fashion designers including Phillip Lim, Alexander McQueen, and Jason Wu. Sephora recently collaborated with Pantone and Disney; Jarden Consumer Solutions (parent to Oster and Sunbeam brands) enlisted French Bull to design a line of small appliances. Commemorative Andy Warhol designs have appeared on Perrier, Nars, and Campbell’s soup packaging this year.”

By Kristina de Verdier on 26 November, 2013 In Re-use, Trends

Lovely way to encourage the usage of tap water. Designed by Designers Anonymous. “We designed refillable water bottles for use during meetings held in our studio. Our bottles feature a simple silhouette of a boat (in-keeping with our brand styling) the boat was a natural fit for a water bottle. On the still water bottle It’s anchored and stationary; for sparkling water, the propeller creates bubbles.”

By Kristina de Verdier on 12 November, 2013 In glass, Re-use, tap water, water

“Life is a recycled paper-made water container designed for Milano Expo 2015. Despite recycling initiatives, there are still tons of plastic bottles being thrown into landfills. Life is a product designed to dissuade people from using plastic bottles with a one-day-use bottle easy to be recharged and recycled again. Life is made from recycled paper and it doesn’t use any chemical ink or adhesives. The green cord is made from natural cotton.” Designed by Andrea Ponti

By Kristina de Verdier on 22 April, 2013 In Beverages, Re-use, water

Designed by Jog. Provenance makes high-quality homeware products from recycled, reclaimed and renewable materials. As the packaging has to sell the story of the materials as much as the product, the brand language ‘this is now’ and ‘this was’ is used on the face and reverse of each product’s packaging, to introduce the story of its provenance. In keeping with the products, the packaging is designed to achieve high shelf and low environmental impact. Strong orange is used for the boxes to draw attention to the display, the corrugated board for these boxes is 100% recycled (100% post-consumer waste), and is left unbranded to encourage reuse (but can be easily recycled). It is self-coloured to make any in-store damage less visible, reducing the need for re-boxing. Branding is restricted to the paper sleeves, which are made from 80% recycled paper (80% post consumer waste with 20% eco-pulp from FSC-certified sources), with minimal ink coverage and no foil blocking to ensure they can be readily recycled. Sleeves minimize waste when adapting packaging to different languages. Where products are boxed, the sleeve carries a simple line drawing to identify the contents instead of photography for a cleaner aesthetic, as the retailer will always display the physical products. Where possible, cut-outs frame the material of each product, drawing attention to it as much as to the completed product, which should only be one form the material takes in a wider journey of recycling. Like the products themselves, all Provenance packaging is made from materials that are 100% recyclable.

Provenance product materials: Provenance products are manufactured exclusively from ecological materials: 100% reclaimed teak (100% post consumer waste), 100% recycled glass (100% post consumer waste), 100% renewable cork (100% sustainably harvested). Client: Nick Powell and Alan Thornton (Provenance). Creative Director: Robert Smith (Jog Ltd). Designer: Andrew Hatcher (Jog Ltd). Photographer: Alan Thornton.

By Kristina de Verdier on 27 May, 2012 In provenance, Re-use

Re-used jars, via La Factoria Plastica. Make your own, or buy here. Thanks Chantal Harb for spotting it

By Kristina de Verdier on 7 May, 2012 In Design, glass, jars, lamp, luminaire, marmelade, package, packaging, Re-use, reuse, sustainable

Dilmah Tea by Manic Design from Singapore

By Kristina de Verdier on 8 September, 2011 In Beverages, dilmah, manic design, metal, package, Re-use, Refill, singapore, tea, tin

Ceramica Meridiano makes ceramic packaging made of clay; a natural material, abundant and non-polluting. In addition air emissions during its manufacture follow the current legislation. They also have a variety of locking systems available. For exclusive cheese, butter or other tasty products. Ideally this package is being reused – and as opposed to many other 2nd life products I really see the potential here; an espresso cup, serve snacks or keep dried berries in.

By Kristina de Verdier on 15 March, 2011 In butter, ceramics, cermer, cheese, Food, packaging, Re-use, reuse, sustainable

Afro Coffee is inspired by the idea that African coffees and teas should no longer be exported solely as raw materials but should instead be offered as independent high quality branded products. The Afro Coffee is more than just a culinary experience. The design, fabrics and colours of the cafe also celebrate contemporary African culture, far from colonial kitsch or tourist folklore. Many of the products were produced in the townships of Africa and can be purchased from the Afro Shop

By Kristina de Verdier on 22 January, 2011 In afro, Beverages, Coffee, Re-use, tins

French Løv Organic inspired of the scandinavian nature, offers a selection of organic whole-leaf teas in subtle and simply elegant flavours. The cotton muslin tea bags, unbleached and free of staples or glue, allow the tea leaves to unfurl and release all of their aromas. All of the cardboard packing has the FSC label meaning that the cardboard originates from responsibly managed forests. And colorful, reusable tins. See more info at PSFK

By Kristina de Verdier on 20 December, 2010 In Beverages, Løv, organic, Re-use, Refill, reusable tins, tea

Wonderful! After the first commercial application, the box can be turned on itself and thus be reused, by Sabrina Digregorio studio H-57 via Packaging UQAM

By Kristina de Verdier on 20 December, 2010 In box, Cardboard, fold, Paper, Re-use, reuse

From Dan & Deluca “This high-quality oil is obtained exclusively from prestigious Coratina olives, which are classically cold-pressed using granite grindstones and state-of-the-art processing equipment. Part of the Orci collection, it comes in a traditional Puglian jar, made by the expert hands of skilled master ceramists and covered with rainbow stripes”

By Kristina de Verdier on 20 December, 2010 In Food, jar, olive oil, package, Re-use, reusable

Spanish couple Sergio Carratala and Petz Scholtus who live in Barcelona have made these kitchen cabinets from wooden wine crates and told the world how others can do them too.

By Kristina de Verdier on 18 December, 2010 In barcelona, crate, Design, Kitchen, packaging, Re-use, wine, wine box, wood, wooden

It took four months to sail a boat made of discarded plastic bottles from San Francisco to Australia. The catamaran was built with 12,500 recycled plastic bottles and a fully recyclable plastic material called Seretex and held together with organic glue made from cashew-nut husks and sugarcane. The bottles were packed into the Plastiki’s pontoons in a pomegranate-like structure, giving the boat 68% of its buoyancy. Rothschild’s mission to change the public’s perception of plastic continues as his team brainstorms new ways to reuse the commonly discarded material in everything from surfboards to wind turbines. Every year people are throwing away tons of waste, that can actually be used as building material. Via Time who just rewarded the 50 best inventions of 2010.

By Kristina de Verdier on 17 November, 2010 In 2nd life, Material, packaging, plastic bottle, Re-use, reuse, sail boat

Milk bottle lamp from lovely Droog design agency.

By Kristina de Verdier on 1 March, 2010 In 2nd use, Interior Design, lamp design, milk bottle, packaging design, Re-use, recycled