Rhoeco is a word formation inspired by the Greek word ‘ροή’ [rhoē] -meaning flow-, ecology [eco] and cooperation [co]
Rhoeco is a team of young professionals, ecology enthusiasts and herb lovers, who research, experiment, analyse and finally find decent and experienced producers to become our suppliers.
T-shirt Eco-Packaging is a 100% bio and eco-friendly packaging made of palm leaves. During this 5 days project I had the opportunity to develop my packaging idea in collaboration with Berlin-based company Leef.
What's Unique?
The palm leaves I used to create the packaging are handpicked leaves from Areca palm tree, which is commonly grown in Asia. Once carefully washed and dried, the palm leaves are stable and solid enough to make into the form I wanted. The final design has the shape of an unsealed cylinder and is 100% ecological as well as compostable. The curving form from the top creates an opening of the packaging and the circle on the body makes the layout and color of the T-shirt visible. In addition, the packaging is very light and handy.
Written by Thierry Gihan, Global Marketing Director of Tetra Recart.
REDWHITE package is made with Elina Ahonen for FOPDA Food Packaging Design Awards by Stora Enso. The main challenge was to make packages more sustainable.Read more
REDWHITE answers for the need of more sustainable packaging for the ready-made-soups and instant noodles. The challenge was to find a carton board solution for these packages.
The material of the REDWHITE package is liquid packaging board. It is heat-resistant and keeps the aromas and flavours strong. The mouth is sealed with glue but can be easily teared open due to the holes which give a facile grip.
By pushing the sides the package forms into a cup. Easy opening is very important when taking into consideration also the eldery, children and people suffering from rheumatism etc.
The geometric form makes an impressive shelf-presence but also fits well in the hand. It needs little space when packed in boxes in stores and warehouses. This also decreases the transportation expences. Using the packaging as the plate for the food gives you less dishes to wash. After the use it can be flattened easily thanks to the creasings on the sides.
Conceptual packaging design, focused on producing sustainable packaging solutions for fragile objects.
Disposed packaging material is one of the leading causes of soil pollution worldwide and results in vast landfills that are required to accommodate the millions of tons of waste we dispose of each year. "Green" packaging design not only reduces the amount of overall packaging that is produced, but takes processing techniques, disposal conditions and the entire product lifecycle into consideration.
This packaging design fully implements the aforementioned ideas through the removal of all excess paneling, leaving only the remaining "skeleton" that still encloses and protects the product.
Sustain is a soap made from 100% sustainable palm oil. Other bars that use unsustainable palm oil are destroying habitats that are home to some of the most endangered species on our planet.Read more
Working with copywriter Chris Miller, we wanted to show people some of the species that they would be helping save by buying Sustain.
We developed three characters based on threatened animals and created some lovely copy that would tell people about each animal and the habitat they lived in. The pack design was kept simple and I created a brand logo that could be easily recognised and work by itself.
It may only be a little bar of soap, but using products that use unsustainable palm oil has much bigger consequences for our planet.
In 2001, I started selling garbage. 100% authentic New York City Garbage. The trash is hand-picked and arranged in Lucite cubes that are signed, numbered, and dated. Today, more than 1,300 cubes have been sold to over 30 countries.Read more
Regular cubes sell for $50, while limited edition cubes from events like the World Series at Yankee Stadium, New Year's Eve in Times Square and the Republican National Convention go for $100. In March 2007, the first international edition of NYC Garbage was created, thanks to a commission by the organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
In the next decade, the application of LED bulbs will become increasingly widespread due to their increased energy efficiency and the absence of toxic metals in their construction. Although the price for an ~800-lumen LED bulb is quite expensive when compared to an incandescent or CFL bulb, the energy savings over the lifetime of the bulb are significant. At 11¢ per kWh, a 12.5-watt, 800-lumen LED bulb uses $37.50 of electricity over its 25,000-hour life. This is a $142.50 savings when compared to the $180 required to run a 60-watt, 860-lumen incandescent bulb over the same period. While LED bulbs clearly have many advantages, their packaging presents numerous problems including excessive use of plastic clamshell and complicated typographical information. Both of these issues are highly problematic, as they are inconsistent with the bulb’s ultimate goals of conserving energy and promoting sustainability.
The first problem with the packaging is that it is made out of plastics, which are primarily manufactured from oil and natural gas, which are both non-renewable resources. Additionally, nearly all of the molecules that plastic factories have produced for decades are still with us and will remain present for centuries. Plastics litter the landscape and the oceans; they break into microscopic particles and enter the food chain. To reduce materials and waste during production, the assembly of this packaging design requires no glue and is constructed from 100% post consumer recycled paper that is manufactured carbon neutral. Also, this design promotes a system where consumers can easily send their incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs to a recycling facility as the package also serves as a prepaid return-shipping container. To increase utility while maintaining structural rigidity, the inside of the box holds an innovative paper design. This design can quickly transform to fit any bulb placed back inside of it, while protecting it from being crushed during transport.
In addition to new regulations regarding bulb packaging, starting in mid-2011, the Federal Trade Commission announced that new laws regarding the labeling of light bulb packaging would commence. The new labeling requirements will promote consumer education by clearly displaying information that will help them select the most efficient bulbs that best suits their lighting needs. The label on the front of the package will emphasize the bulbs’ brightness as measured in lumens, as watts are a measurement of energy use, not brightness. Currently, reliance on watt measurements alone has made it difficult for consumers to compare traditional incandescent bulbs to more efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescents. A compact fluorescent bulb may be able to produce the same amount of brightness as a traditional incandescent bulb, while using significantly less energy, or watts. Finally, new labeling will also display the estimated yearly energy cost for the respective bulb. These changes in information presentation will be key drivers in helping consumers make educated purchasing decisions as they transition to more energy-efficient types of bulbs while contributing to the overall increase in the adoption and promotion of sustainability.
UXUS is proud to announce their latest project, the brand identity and packaging design of APL Wines’ new label, Indulge. The brief was to create an innovative packaging concept and website that targets specific lifestyles. The design’s concept focuses on the practicality and accessibility of its specific target group’s lifestyle: the Fashionista, the Active outdoors-person, the Retro-lover, and the Leisurely. Packaged in a lightweight Astrapouch and featuring bold illustrations, Indulge wines marry lifestyle with conscious packaging. The new packaging is ideal for BBQs, picnics, the beach, parks, and outdoor theatres.
UXUS partner George Gottl says, “We are thrilled to have been invited to create such an innovative approach to wine packaging. The various graphic motifs of Indulge spark diversity of the target audience they are reaching out to. This brand sets a new benchmark mapping the wine varietal to the preferred lifestyle of a specific consumer.”
Four (4) categories of wine will be offered to cater to the various assortments of lifestyles and preferred flavors; “Good Taste on the Go”, “Accessorize with Good Taste”, “Toast the Moment” and “Pair this with Life” are the themes aimed at the distinct lifestyles. The bright and bold watercolor illustrations reflect each distinct customer from the shoe-adorned graphics for the Fashionista to the picnic graphics for the laid-back denizen. An innovative handle integrated in the package allows easy transportation and the spigot on the bottom of the pouch easily controls the flow of wine.
Indulge wines will issue a 2009 Central Coast Pinot Noir and a 2009 North Coast Sauvignon Blanc with each their own unique Astrapouch illustrations. Each Astrapouch is equal to two (2) 750ml wine bottles yet is accountable for only 2% of the weight of the traditional glass bottle. It is a durable, convenient and eco- friendly package that saves energy, weighs less, and is cost efficient.
"Let's make it! Project lets Groovisions explore an idea of making "sneaker tissue boxes" which can be used to package sneaker shoes and can act as a tissue box at the same time. It is made from 100% recyclable materials too!Read more
P&W have designed a range of eco paper and cleaning products for Tesco’s US chain Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. The range consists of everyday paper products, such as paper towels, bath tissue and facial tissue, and household cleaners such as dish liquid, laundry detergent and cleaning sprays.
The paper goods are made from 100% recycled paper with 80% post consumer waste and whitened without chlorine. They are also uniquely packaged in a plastic outer wrap, which expires in 12-18 months, eliminating any contribution to landfill. The cleaners are made from a plant based formula, free from phosphates, dyes and perfumes, they are pH neutral, biodegradable and scented with essential oils.
Green credentials are delivered through the name ‘green things’ and the leaf background, suggesting nature and earth. The strap line ‘powerful and kind’ appears on the cleaners to reassure customers that the products are effective whilst still gentle to the environment. Icons were designed for each pack to communicate the key product attribute, i.e. cuts grease and plant based formula and color-coded to differentiate each product and it’s scent.
The target consumer would be making a conscious effort to buy green products so creating a brand look that was iconic, strong and clear was very important to us. We wanted the design to have a friendly and approachable look and feel taking cues from nature and plants. We created a hand drawn logo that looks organic and has a unique personality. We also needed to ensure that the product would be clearly visible on shelf and the branding reflects the benefits of the product.
The assignement was to make make a packaging for "Møllerens" new line of (fictional) muesli, called "REN" (pure, clean). We decided to change the name REN, because it gave associations to cleaning products or water. So we just called it "Økologisk Müsli" (Organic Muesli).Read more
The main target group were females who were living in the city, 25+. They care about being healty and keeping the earth clean. They are also focused on their career and have a good job.
The product was supposed to be organic, so it was important that the packaging showed that it was made of eco friendly material. The package is made of 100% recycled materials.
Our goal was to make a muesli packaging that no one had ever seen before. Then we thought why not make a sexy muesli packaging.
Illustrations by Iver Ottesen
Re-Pack Project - Recycling existing packaging is a way to produce and pollute less. The more you recycle, the less you have to dispose of. And the better it will be for planet earth.Read more
To coincide with a greater availability in stores across Canada, Camino is unveiling a new brand packaging system for its line of premium organic and fair trade products, gradually expanding outside the realm of cocoa and sugar products.Read more
Developed by Karacters Design Group, the brand idea “a joyful food revolution” captures Camino’s belief that through the joy of eating great tasting food made from quality ingredients, people will be encouraged to think differently about their food – where it came from, who made it and what’s in it.
With organic and fair trade products increasingly entering the mainstream, Camino’s refreshed packaging is designed to appeal to the wider demographic who are demanding better food politics.
“Not only has demand increased for organic and fair trade products, but competition has increased dramatically as well,” says Henk van der Molen, chief operating officer, Camino. “Facing stiff competition from brands owned by large conglomerates, we needed to differentiate ourselves and turned to Karacters to help us express our story.”
Camino comes from the Spanish word path. Using this as an inspiration, the custom-drawn map used on the bright packaging is filled with quirkily named streets of joy; the illustrations reflect the happy, vibrant and sustainable communities that Camino contributes to through its organic, fair trade, and co-operative partnerships and practices. The creative platform developed by Karacters allows for consistent application across a variety of packaging formats, helping Camino to build strong brand recognition and shelf presence as it expands its product lines to chocolate snack bars, sugars, various baking products and more.
“Camino is a remarkable company that produces great tasting, high quality products that are start-to-finish, top-to-bottom organic fair trade,” says James Bateman, creative director, Karacters Design Group. “Through a growing range of premium organic, fair trade foods, Camino is doing its part to bring social change to the world. For their partners, cooperatives of family farmers in Southern countries, they contribute to bringing greater health and prosperity. For their customers, they bring everyday moments of joy they can feel good about.”
Camino’s new visual identity will be extended to all customer touch points, including a refreshed logo, signage, stationary and website, all timed to coincide with the launch of the new packaging.
The joyful illustrations on Camino’s packaging are by illustrator and fair trade advocate Chris Haughton.
The Organic cannabis Foundation, LLC (OrganiCann), the largest medical cannabis dispensing collective in Northern California, announced exciting new home compostable packaging.
OrganiCann’s new packaging is made from certified-compostable film printed with water-based inks. The compostable film is made from sustainably produced wood. OrganiCann’s packaging safely biodegrades in home or commercial compost. It will even biodegrade in a wastewater environment.
“At OrganiCann, we are committed to sustainability in everything we do,” said Dona Ruth Frank, Managing Member of OrganiCann. “Whether it is how our medicine is cultivated, or how it is packaged — we are continuously developing more environmentally friendly solutions.”
Until now, most medical cannabis has been packaged in plastic. OrganiCann’s new packaging protects the quality and integrity of its medicine, while eliminating unnecessary plastic waste. Unlike many compostable packages that require the high heat and pressure of commercial compost facilities, OrganiCann’s packaging will safely biodegrade in home compost. Patients who don’t live in neighborhoods with commercial composting can place the packages in home compost piles where they typically biodegrade in just a few weeks.
“OrganiCann gave us a very clear mandate. Produce a design that first and foremost protects the medicine, but that also has the least environmental impact possible,” said Glenn Martinez, Co-Founder of Branditecture, the branding agency that developed the packaging.
OrganiCann offers home compostable packaging for a full range of products from dry cannabis and joints to concentrates and even cannabis-infused teas.
“Home compostable packaging is just one part of our overall sustainability effort,” says Frank. “We look at everything we do and ask ourselves, 'how can we do it greener?'.”
Pit-Stop café is a simple transportation system for four coffees and anything that goes with it. It is conceived with post-consumer recycled board and out of one single sheet of paper. I think the images describe well the concept.via Packaging | UQAM
eBay just launched a new set of reusable boxes as part of a pilot program to make shipping a little greener. Starting in October, the company is giving away 100,000 shipping boxes to eBay sellers, and encouraging reuse. According to eBay, if each box gets used five times, the program could protect nearly 4,000 trees, save 2.4 million gallons of water, and conserve enough electricity to power 49 homes for a year.Read more
Designed by San Francisco-based Office, the boxes engage sellers by emphasizing potential benefits to the planet with friendly illustrations and copy. Tips for greener packing include finding "a new calling for old phone books." A happy little bird asks, "Where to next?" And to track each box's journey, there's space to write a note so the next person to receive it can see just how far its come.
Each eBay Box is made with 100 percent recycled content, printed with water-based inks, and designed to require minimal tape. And once it reaches the end of its useful shipping life, it's fully recyclable. From the box's fine print: "Don't worry, it will come back as something nice, like a birthday card or movie theater popcorn bag.
In efforts to reuse, versus recycle, I designed a package that would enable the HP Ink consumer to send back their empty ink cartridge in the self addressed, same box that the new ink cartridge is bought in. Conceptually, HP would start a “refilling” option, where the user would order their next cartridge online ahead of time and receive a discount by entering a the code found on the box.Read more
I chose to use recycled chipboard as my material and to screen print the graphics (using only process inks cyan, magenta, yellow and black).
The ink cartridges are packaged separately, allowing the consumer to purchase only the ink that is empty – Black or CMY. The package also provides a simple and quick solution for recycling empty ink cartridges.
See, we don’t want clean to come with a price – to you or the environment. Too often packaging is designed to transport water. Packaging that still had a one-time use and ended up where we’d rather not have it go.
We decided to look at the problem differently and to make an environmentally friendly cleaner in a bottle you reuse, again and again (because there’s nothing enduring about a throw away culture). The result is a cleaning system that makes for a happier wallet, home and planet.
We love recycling. Unfortunately, all too often recycling is just throwing away something, but done with a better conscience. Where it goes after it’s out of your hands is a matter of faith. We know you expect better.
And we know we can all do better. Let’s reuse what’s already been made. Let’s get a couple of more lunches out of those sandwich bags or find something for a shoebox to hold. It’s a smarter way to use products. It’s a better way for us all to live.
Whenever we eat bread, at the picnic, in the cafe or airplane, we usually use disposable butter. I replaced its ordinary container lid with a wooden, knife shaped one. This way butter can be easily and quickly spread. Butter has 4 flavors which allow the user to make a choice, just as he would chose his favorite ice-cream. This container is not only easy and fast to use but also it makes daily routine of spreading butter more fun and exciting.Read more
