med.o

Sustainable Packaging

Overview

September - December 2019

skills

Circular System Design | Packaging Design | 3D Modelling | Video Production | Layout & Brand Design

software

Adobe InDesign | Blender | DaVinci Resolve | CES Edupack

grade

First

collaborators

Maddy Woodburn, Matt Ryan

Summary

The brief was to create a packaging solution for the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on sustainability by considering the entire product - service system. The project was inspired by multiple lectures from industry professionals from companies such as P&G, Ocado and Garcon Wines.

This project taught me to think about the complete system when designing products and packaging. We considered full circularity to improve the sustainability while making sure everything was still feasible. Our research uncovered up-coming technologies and systems which could be used together in new ways. For example, our idea of combining bio-plastics and packaging incineration leads to completely carbon neutral loop with the benefit of producing its own operating energy from incineration.

Video Presentation

Featuring Maddy Woodburn and Matt Ryan, produced by myself

length 4:05

Project outcomes and my role

This project was completed in a team of three. We worked together to research and develop ideas, system models, and solutions while dividing up deliverables. I was responsible for the four minute video presentation, packaging design, renders and branding design.

Outcomes

Our solution considered the entire system and looked to make it as sustainable and circular as possible. The final proposal consisted of some key interventions.

1. Bio-plastics

Packaging would be standardised to just one material. A bio-plastic such as PEF would be used. These are plant based plastics which when incinerated have a net 0 carbon impact

2. Incineration

When the packaging is disposed, instead of recycling, it would be incinerated. The energy produced could power operations, and the carbon emissions would be neutral given the plastic's plant based origins.

3. Distribution

Public transport would be used to distribute the packaged products. The same distribution network would be used to collect waste plastic. Since the plastic is standardised, it can be redistributed to any manufacturer to incinerate and power the creation of more packaging.

4. Smart bins

The standardised bio-plastic waste would have a bin of its own. The bin can detect how full it is and schedule it's own emptying. Bin collection is arranged similarly to product delivery, where the shortest route between full bins is calculated each day.

5. Online

The legally required information on all pharmaceuticals would be moved online to the app used for purchasing. A tick box would prompt the user to read and save the information to a virtual cupboard for future reference. This means packaging can be streamlined and minimised for letterbox delivery.

Product & Packaging Renders