Eco-efficiency of packages can be significantly improved by new types of packaging. This was clearly demonstrated by the winners of the 2008 Food Packaging Design Awards.
Stora Enso and the University of Art and Design Helsinki in Finland have announced the winners of the 2008 Food Packaging Design Awards. A common feature of the prize-winning packages was their successful use of paperboard to replace plastic, glass or aluminium packages, thereby offering new types of food packaging with a reduced environmental impact and, in particular, a smaller carbon footprint. This shows that more sustainable types of packaging can be created for a variety of foodstuffs, from meat products to sauces, liquids and ready meals.
“Making packages more sustainable by using renewable and recyclable raw materials is a field in which we can successfully work together with designers, the packaging industry and brand owners to curb the climate change,” says Päivi Harju-Eloranta, member of the jury and director of environmental affairs at Stora Enso Consumer Board.
Reducing waste of food
The Food Packaging Design Awards competition was open for students of selected design schools worldwide. The first prize of EUR 3,000 was awarded to Hanna Päivinen from the Lahti Institute of Design in Finland for her folded, two-compartment paperboard tray, which can be made of Stora Enso Trayforma board. “The waste of food that puts a burden on the environment is reduced, since half of the contents can be used first and the other half is preserved in the tight package. This tray is suitable for the packaging of a variety of different foodstuffs, such as ready meals and cold cuts. It is perfect for smaller households and a magnificent, new break-through for paperboard, with plenty of market potential,” stated the jury.
Marika Luoto and Thomas Åkerfelt took the second-prize of EUR 1,500. According to the jury, their round carton has considerable market potential and a luxurious image. The package, which can be made from Stora Enso Natura liquid packaging board, is easy to flatten and suitable for recycling. The third prize of EUR 1,000 was awarded to Saana Hellsten and Elina Ahonen for their take-away or ready-meal packaging with an advanced closing and opening mechanism. The prize winners are students of the Lahti Institute of Design. In addition, the jury granted an honourable mention to Juho-Pekka Virtanen and Matti Pärssinen from the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
Great versatility of ideas
“The competition entries showed great versatility and an exceptionally high level of quality. The award-winning entries were particularly successful in combining the theme of the competition with the requirements of production, the specific characteristics of the material, and the universal applicability of the solutions. The best entries are the result of strategic planning, generating major volume benefits and supporting the creation of brand value,” says Tapio Vapaasalo, Jury Chairman and Professor at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. “The strong performance of one particular school sets an attractive challenge for other schools, most of which do not necessarily give such a high priority to packaging design in their curricula.”
View the entries at our dedicated food minisite!
