If your detergent and cleaning items packs seemed boring or cumbersome so far, it might be time to reconsider. Usually, when we talk about innovation in packaging and sophisticated graphic design, we refer more to food and beverages, technology products and cosmetics / fragrances. However consumer demands and trends in packaging should be taken into consideration from the detergent industry as well. Therefore, ease of use, functionality, environmental consciousness and modern graphic design are the basic concepts that now incorporate the companies in packaging.
The ease of use and functionality are normally two concepts that complement one another. AS a result, manufacturers try to meet specific requirements or by the condensation of the product, the use of lighter materials, the use of refillable bottles and innovative injection and dosage systems product. Of the above, the concentrated products and the use of lighter materials are the most widely used, and noteworthy interest are refillable packages.
Usually the revolutionary refillable packaging is applicable in concentrated products. It is a fact that most cleaning products we buy almost consist of 90% water. The new packaging saves money and reduce the volume of waste by making it easy to add water to your favorite products using a reusable bottle that fits perfectly onto a refillable pods containing the concentrated detergent. Therefore, by avoiding the water transfer to the products and the use of reusable bottles, companies manage to limit the use of the plastic and reduce the emission of carbon gases by 90% compared to the consumption of products in plastic bottles disposable. Extremely important is the convenience of consumers in the transport of products as they are lighter as well as their reducing purchasing costs. As new packages reloaded at least 3 times, households save considerable costs as the supply of detergent species becomes less regular.
Another example of a user-friendly and functional packaging relates to spraying and dosing systems of products. The new packaging is compact, lightweight and very easy to use. The product is 8 times more concentrated and packaging uses less plastic by 36% as 50% of it is made of recycled plastic. What can be regarded as innovative, is the packing injection system, which has a jet pump that sprays four times. It is equal to one dose of detergent for a wash, while the hyper-concentrated composition of the product allows the use of a package for 50 washes. Furthermore, it is easy to hold it with one hand as it weighs less, it is easy to store it due to its small size and easy to use due to its operational pump that prevents detergent drops from pouring on the packaging
All these innovative packaging is clearly and environmentally friendly because they use less plastic, lighter materials and smaller sizes thereby contributing to the reduction of waste and emissions during production and transportation. However, there are even more environmentally conscious packages, which are made from 100% recycled cardboard and newspapers in the ratio 70/30 respectively. The carton contains a plastic bag for holding the liquid detergent and has a plastic cap on the top. Nevertheless, it uses 66% less plastic than conventional packages and the material from which it is made of is completely recyclable and can be composted as well. Whatsoever, the plastics can be recycled in some industries, thus enhancing the environmental awareness of both companies and those consumers who buy with this in mind.
Finally, the refined and imaginative graphic design is not absent from the detergents and cleaners industry types. For example the use of matte and metallic colors mentioning design cosmetic products and the kind of printing refers to the sophisticated technology of the product. Also, the use of glossy stamp refers to premium products. Another illustrative example is found in laundry detergent for baby clothes. To be more readily understood, these bottles are designed in the shape of a cute baby standing. The design of the packaging exudes intimacy in an attractive way and shows clearly and directly what product is used for underwear and what for casualwear. Moreover, a nozzle in the cap allows users to squeeze the container and pour the detergent into the washing machine, and can also be used to measure the amount of detergent.
References : Packaging Digest (2015), Sustainable is Good (2015), Reddot 21 (2015), Hickman (2011), www.dkconsultants.gr