Why Shrinkwrap a Cucumber?: The Complete Guide to Environmental Packaging

by Stephen Aldridge, Laurel Miller

Designed for all those involved in the packaging industry—packaging designers, manufacturers and retailers—this book provides a comprehensive illustrated guide to designing environmentally friendly packaging. Containing comprehensive directories of different packaging materials, including their environmental credentials, and of different packaging formats, this book offers those seeking to answer design briefs with an environmental requirement a comprehensive guide to the possibilities available to them.

Genres: Design, Sustainability, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now understand why - though I still don't like it - some vegetables are shrink wrapped in plastic. This book is a fascinating study of what goes into the process of designing packaging materials. The authors look at the function of packaging, the design and style of it as related to branding, as well as the environmental impact. There are case studies and in-depth examinations of each material that companies use to pack their products. Of particular interest is the break down of just what is a bioplastic or a biodegradable plastic and why many of these items are neither recyclable or compostable without industrial composting facilities available. The latter half of the book is Directory of Materials which takes you through every possible material that can be used to package a good and looks at the impact it makes on the planet. Beautifully designed book, too.

[William Doo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I usually buy vegetables shrink-wrapped. This way I can see the condition of the product and the general absence of air allows the vegetables to be stored longer. If you are planning to open a similar business, then you should definitely think about using a shrinkwrapping machine from the Kempner company, because here you will find ready-made solutions that can be easily adjusted to your requirements and products.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noiosetto, piuttosto e anzichenò. Non ho capito chi fosse il target di questo libro: i designer, chiamati a battersi ed immolarsi per creare solo packaging ecologici e rifiutare commesse da clienti inquinatori? L'utente finale, che può usare l'ultima parte del libro come vademecum casaligno per la raccolta differenziata, facendosi convincere a tentare il compostaggio domestico? O l'hipster alimentare, con fede cieca in tutto ciò che è biologico?
Sono un po' perplessa. E sono perplessa anche dal design stesso del libro: grande formato, patinatissimo, foto splendide senza risparmiare sull'inchiostro. Invece il consumatore finale dovrebbe sentirsi in colpa perché ha comprato 2 bistecche al supermercato, adagiate nella scatoletta di plastica, sopra quel tappetino igienico il cui unico scopo sembra quello di insozzare il pianeta e ridurci all'estinzione.
Ci sono informazioni interessanti e può essere utile per iniziare, ma seg ià fate la raccolta differenziata (nel mio paese è obbligatoria da lustri e abbiamo raggiunto anche un discreto livello di differenziazione) c'è poco da imparare.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The typeface was annoyingly small. Why make the readers strain? The pages were also arranged in a way that makes designers happy (plenty of white space), yet is frustrating for readers who are left to wonder why they have to squint at tiny fonts when there's lots of room to make the letters bigger. A bit ironic, really, when the point of the book was to explain why designers make the choices they do for packaging. Form over function, anyone?

[Goedele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A could overview of the impact of packaging on the environment. It does not give an answer what is the best way of packaging a product. Because this is dependent on various factors. Because of it's nuance and it's style and design it makes a very good read for those working in packaging, retail or design.