The age of ‘Make-Use-Return’ has arrived with actiVlayr

In a world that has long suffered from a polluting ‘throw-away’ culture, steps are finally being taken to dramatically reduce plastic waste.

Part of this thrust is a Make-Use-Return principle to replace the existing model of Take-Make-Waste.

After all, when you look to nature, there is no waste. Once something biodegrades it returns to the eco-system. Now there is a consumer-driven movement to help the natural world by reducing waste, especially plastics, and transitioning to the Make-Use-Return approach.

For a brand owner, Product Stewardship is a vital part of this process. It recognises that producers, manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers need to accept responsibility for reducing a product’s environmental impact.

This means avoiding wasteful products, eliminating unnecessary waste, ensuring materials are recyclable and even redesigning products and packaging to achieve the desired result.

The NZ Government is also on board with a consultation document being circulated that ensuring MP’s understand the task at hand, the role of Product Stewardship and which products should be part of a regulated system.

There’s simply no more important issue facing packaged goods manufacturers today.

How Onfire works to design sustainable packaging

Working on packaging challenges with brand owners and marketing teams has placed Onfire in a unique position when it comes to developing sustainable packaging solutions. With vast experience in packaging design Onfire understands what steps can be taken to meet consumer expectations in the short term as well as the planning required to minimise plastic packaging in the long term.

For example, Revolution Fibres recently utilised Onfire’s expertise to develop new packaging for its product actiVlayr. After a rigorous process of questioning, challenging and experimentation, Onfire collaborated with a local box manufacturer to create a new format that eliminated the need for an inner plastic tray.

By removing plastic from the production process the new packaging also achieves a per-unit cost benefit and delivers an unboxing experience that is more aligned with consumer expectations of a premium priced product.

Onfire’s advocacy of Product Stewardship ensures the right questions are asked long before production begins. For example, does the packaging deliver the required shelf life and protection for distribution? Is the packaging designed for minimal use of material? Could the packaging be simplified to a single material? Is the packaging recyclable within the current NZ waste management system?

If you would like to know more about the Onfire process around Designing for Sustainable Packaging, contact Onfire here.

We're excited to be part of the push for more planet-friendly packaging.