Ecolean Packaging

 

Ecolean is a new packaging alternative dubbed as "A Lighter Approach to Packaging". 

"Lightweight packaging is our answer to the demands of the liquid food industry and consumers asking for modern and clever packages. By using a minimal amount of raw material we create a lightweight package which combines low environmental impact with consumer convenience. Saving resources is saving the environment. That is why lightweight packaging has become a heavyweight argument.

The unique, pitcher-looking design has a generous face for consumer communication. It has a perfect surface for really high-quality print. Colours and sharpness will do justice to any communicative intention and will certainly draw the attention of a fast moving consumer. 

Saving resources is no longer just a matter of looking at the waste end of a package life cycle. Equally important are the resources used at its beginning. 

Ecolean uses less raw material from the start. Our packaging material is made from a thin plastic film, part plastic (PE and PP) and part chalk (40% by weight), one of nature’s own material. That adds up to a truly lightweight package that takes less energy to produce. 

Low waste volumes also save considerable resources in the waste handling process. Light and thin as the packaging is, you will find resource-saving arguments for it throughout the whole product life cycle."

Ecolean products are currently sold in over 30 countries around the world, not yet here in the United States, but lets hope it makes its way here soon.

More images of Ecolean after the jump.

 

Comments

[Ariel]

I know it's not the point of the entry, but I really want to know WHAT is inside those. Milk? Flavored milk? Why are there different fruit pictures on them? WHY

[jennasaisquois.blogspot.com]

I think these are a great idea, but the big flaws are that they aren't resealable as far as I can see...and can you imagine a child being able to pour from these without creating a huge mess?

[Shannon Doran]

So many questions. So few answers.

The concept, however, is great! They mentioned using it for yogurt on their website, which I could see as saving a lot with the individual packages. The re-sealability is a big question for anything more than single servings though.

Now that I think about it, maybe it's fruit yogurt in the mystery packages, though it does look like milk.

[Yael Miller]

Here's what I'd like to know more about: What equipment requirements are there for implementing these packages in production? (I'm also really intrigued by the air-filled-bladder-as-a-handle element.)

For instance, if a dairy processing plant in the US were to decide to jump on board this packaging style, what type of equipment outlay costs would they be looking at? In addition, what might be the cost/materials reduction savings over time (vs. the injection blow-molded bottles that most milk comes in)?

All it will take is one US processor to implement this packaging and the others will definitely be more likely to follow.

[EZ]

Okay, obviously the packages use less raw material, but how much plastic is used in this type of packaging compared to beverage packages that are already available? Compared to a regular milk carton, I'm guessing (?) that this design uses more. The amount of material used is much less of a concern than whether or not the material is biodegradeable.

[buy r4 ds]

I have used these product.It is great to know the packages are manufactured and printed by Ecolean in accordance with each food producer’s instructions.Thanks.