Packaging is one of the most exciting pieces of marketing design a brand can create ⸺ and it’s 100% tangible! But in order to be successful, it’s crucial to stay on top of trends to comprehend both what consumers want and need. To help guide you through this jungle of information, our strategy and design teams have selected four relevant packaging design trends you should know about for the upcoming years.
Refillable Systems
The refill format is a fast-growing sustainable packaging solution that saves both natural resources and money. A refill system can reduce waste by eliminating the need for the “one-use” primary package and replacing it with a “forever” package made from a more durable material, such as glass, metal, or even wood. The consumer keeps this packaging and purchases refills that come in lightweight packaging that is easy to recycle. Why replace the entire package when you can just replace the contents? [1]
Byproducts
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another one’s treasure and in all production, there is some form of byproduct that can be useful and repurposed. Byproducts from the food industry have great potential to be used as new foods or even packaging material. The UN Sustainable Development target 12.3 aims to halve per capita global food waste by 2030. Using byproducts can be a great effort towards helping to reach these targets. [2]
Downsizing
Mycelium is more than simply mushrooms. From the massive to the microscopic, it is absolutely everywhere. Pretty much all life on Earth is dependent on the branching structure that both literally and metaphorically connects everything together, and as a primary decomposer of biological matter, it is the biggest recycling system on the planet. We can see the trends of mushrooms growing both as a packaging material and also as a key ingredient in everything from face oils to snacks and coffee. [3]
Mighty Mycelium
Mycelium is more than simply mushrooms. From the massive to the microscopic, it is absolutely everywhere. Pretty much all life on Earth is dependent on the branching structure that both literally and metaphorically connects everything together, and as a primary decomposer of biological matter, it is the biggest recycling system on the planet. [4]
Do you want to know more about what consumers want, what’s popular, and which trends work best for your company? Get in touch with us!
Isabelle Dahlborg Lidström
Creative Director & Head of Design
isabelle.dahlborg.lidstrom@grow.eu
[1] Compact refills from Iräye, reusable containers from Nesquik and Circolution GmbH, intelligent refill system from Kjaer Weis
[2] Biodegradable juice bottle from Tomorrow Machine, Cocoa Paper from Ecopack
[3] Waste-inspired brand packaging from United & Free, dissolvable packaging from Plus, sauce powder packets replacing single-use plastic bottles from Awsm Sauce
[4] Mycelium technology packaging from Heackels, Life Element and Treaty
