Ecological Take Away Packaging

Using banana leaves as a new material to create new ecological packages
for take away. Banana leaves are a product which exists in many regions
around the world. This material has a wax-like surface which is ideal
for wet and greasy foods. It is flexible and therefore can be adapted to
many types of packaging. The leaves last long after they are cut off the
trees. The packages are cut to form using die cutting technology. No
glue is used. The unique qualities of this material allow packages to
be opened simply by tearing the banana leaf along its natural
perforation. 

Today the majority of disposable goods are wrapped in
man-made, often petro-based materials that usually last far longer than
the items they protect. With many companies spending millions on
R&D searching for more sustainable alternatives, an Israeli
designer named Tal Marco has taken a decidedly low-tech and refreshing
approach to package design with his use of natural banana leaves. 

Banana leaves are highly flexible, easy to open and have a naturally
waxy surface that is ideal for food applications. Although not a
completely novel idea, Marco's design uses die-cut leaves that can be
folded into numerous forms and lend themselves well to many retail
applications. His design was showcased in Designboom's "Dining in 2015"
design competition and the concept puts many of the most
"environmentally friendly" packages on the market today to shame.

Comments

[Ann]

I am not sure if banana leaf has ever been used this way in the designer's country. But this is what we in South East Asia are very familiar with. We grew up and have lived with it for decades. However, it's nice to see a fresh look of it.

[MB]

I absolutely agree with comment above. While its presented nicely and in a modern way, this 'packaging' concept is basically centuries old practically in the South East region, and is still commonly practiced today for a lot of local food & snack vendors. Banana leaves, and hand made toothpicks to hold the package secured. Its a good idea to bring to the west for the eco-trend sweeping over right now.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Like others have said, this method of packaging have been used for decades in South East Asia. And have been working great for those indigenous population. However, that part of the world isn't as concern about "healthy and safe" food prep as most Western and developed countries.

It's a great idea. But will it ever take hold in Western societies where we constantly use anti-bacterial soaps. Only time will tell.

[Zack]

I'm a bit hesitant in seeing this as a very ecological/sustainable packaging material. Yes it is biodegradable but banana farms tend to need large swathes of land to grow. It is also a very tropical plant that places outside that band will have to import them resulting in a larger carbon footprint. There's also issues with the labour policies of many banana plantations.

If you're home country doesn't grow bananas then this is actually causing more problems than it really should.

[jackson]

Zack,

1. All plants require space to grow. 2. Growing tropical plants in non-tropical places is why greenhouses were invented. 3. One cannot take responsibility for anyone else's labor practices. A good employer is a good employer.

I think that negativity causes more problems than bananas ever could.

[Ali]

Banana leaf has very limited life span (We are not talking days here, it only takes few hours to go soggy); I am saying it on the basis of personal experience. It has lot more iron and it excrete water that stains anything it touches. After being dried, it loses its ability to hold anything.

[Zack]

Yes all plants need to grow but should we exchange biodiversity and natural animal habitats for banana plantations? Should we ignore the more intensive use of resources that greenhouses require? Or should we not ask employers' to treat their employees fairly?

In any case, critiques are not negativity and we can't forget that everything we chose to do impacts others as well.

[Roohollah Merrikhpour]

A good idea but it is too similar to my idea which selected in "Green life" competition in designboom 6 months ago!With the Best.:)

See it:http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=28&item_pk=34860&p=1

[vikram]

Banana leaves are been used in india for packaging for ages now..

[John]

People in the Philippines have been doing this for ages.

[Payal Machave]

This is an awesome way to reuse natural material. In India the banana tree or leaf has many uses. This is a good way to think FRESH!

[michelle]

Yeah, as a kid, i actually experienced picnics in the farm or by the beach using banana leaves for plates so we can easily throw them in the trash. Some Filipino delicacies (rice cakes) are even cooked using them as containers. Recently, it's been introduced as a container for packed lunch/dinner.

[CPO]

Really cool "Take Away Packaging". Would love to see that in my favorite food store!

[Marti]

For all the nay sayers.....and the alternative is what?

Take it easy, open your mind, this packaging has been used for centuries apparently it works or people wouldn't continue to use it generation after generation! This is a local resource for many tropical countries that currently import paper made from non tropical trees. It is 100% biodegradable. No it is not appropriate for every situation but it has tons of used. The design concepts are clean and beautiful the opening method is a great idea. If you critized this design please post a better alternative. (no plastic, paper, or petrol based products please.) It is so easy to find fault just for the sake of argument without thinking things through!

[Sunny]

did you guys know that banana leaves can also be used for art? in many countries in Africa they have made art out of the old dry leaves (thus not destroying the trees), and one way is how Mike from Kenya does it.. he even sells his art, to be able to build a school for street children, where they can learn it, or other skills.. www.emmanuel-arts.com

[ade]

People in the indonesian have been doing this for ages.

[Pradeep]

Growing and feeding cattle for consumption takes much more space than growing any kind of plantation. All the land used up for banana plantation is very small compared to the cattle industry. Non-vegetarians are actually killing the planet.

[yorik Illescas]

Nice design. How will you do to the banana leaf does not dry? it dries in minutes. I did a direct mail wrapped in banana leaves and gave me lots of problems.

regards

[Josline L]

In Malaysia, banana leaf are been used not only for packaging purpose but it can also increase the tastiness of the food. Banana leaf itself have a natural smell and it works just like a seasoning. Nice try !

[Quan]

Banana leaves are been used in Vietnam for packaging for ages now..

[Sesa]

There's a take-away restaurant in Philippines called "Binalot" (Filipino for wrapped) and they sell lunch set complete with rice + assorted viand + tomato slices + salted egg. That was how lunch was packed during the old times, when wives bring freshly prepared "binalot" meals to the men who work the fields. Banana leaves also add flavor and aroma to the packed lunch. This is very common back home.

Though not a new concept (especially to Southeast Asians), it's nice to have the West be aware of it and appreciate it. I just hope the idea will not be patented by someone when it's been around for generations.

[Mario]

Well... Do 'Tamales' ring a bell for anyone?

[carla]

in Ecuador and many countries of south america and centro america use banana leave for food since always

[reies]

Banana leaves are been used in Mexico for packaging food for ages, actually we called tamal or mixiote.. prehispanic culture discovered.

[Armando Roque]

Banana leaves as 'packaging' are nothing new in Venezuela. They have been used for ever as a food container.