Monomaterial: A sustainable packaging solution
What is monomaterial?
Monomaterial is a material that consists of a single type of plastic. It is an alternative to multi-layer plastics, which are often difficult to recycle and have a negative impact on the environment. Monomaterials can be recycled and reused more efficiently, making it a more sustainable solution.
Monomaterials are not only more environmentally friendly, but are also more cost-effective than multi-layer plastics. As only one type of plastic is used, it is also easier to produce and recycle monomaterials.
The benefits of monomaterial
Reducing plastic pollution
Traditional packaging that contains several different types of materials is often difficult to recycle or dispose of properly. Single-material packaging, made from a single type of plastic, can be more recyclable and reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment.
Improved recyclability
By using mono-material, we make it easier to recycle packaging. The material flow becomes more streamlined and can be part of a more efficient recycling process. This helps to reduce the need for new production of raw materials.
Monomaterial in a packaging context
Packaging plays an important role in the visual appeal of your product. It is therefore crucial that we address the environmental challenges associated with packaging production and disposal. One promising solution is monomaterial, which represents a sustainable approach to packaging. At Packwise, we understand the importance of sustainability and we focus on delivering packaging solutions that make a positive difference.
Lower CO2 footprint
One of the positive effects of monomaterial packaging is that it can have a lower carbon footprint compared to multi-material packaging. By reducing the complexity of production, energy and resources can be saved, helping to reduce the carbon footprint.
Improved durability: monomaterials can make packaging more durable, which can reduce the need to produce and transport additional packaging. This can also help reduce waste and material waste
Mono materials and food waste
Food waste is one of the biggest challenges in food production
food production. Packaging can play an important role in reducing food waste, and monomaterial packaging can be part of the solution.
| Tips | Description |
| Make sure you choose the right mono material for your industry | Not all monomaterials are equally suitable for all industries. Do your research to find the best material for your specific industry. |
| Redesign products with monomaterial in mind | Optimize your design to include monomaterial as a key component to create more sustainable products. |
| Investigate recycling options for your monomaterial | Recycling is one of the biggest benefits of monomaterials. Research how your monomaterial can be recycled and create a sustainable circular economy in your business. |
| Set sustainability and efficiency goals | Work on setting concrete goals to increase both sustainability and efficiency in your business by using monomaterials. |
These tips can help you implement monomaterial in an
efficient and sustainable way. By taking these steps, you can contribute to a
more sustainable future and a more responsible use of materials.
At Packwise, we are ready to help you with your transformation to
monomaterial packaging.
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Information and mandatory text on packaging must first of all be easy to decode. It is of the utmost importance that the product declaration and product description is a clear, informative text that is adequate for the purpose. To make the text easily digestible and delicious, the choice of font is also a relevant element to put effort into. Fonts help to communicate what consumers can expect from the product. A more text-heavy label can be simplified with a light and simple font. A simple font – combined with visual elements – would be preferable on 
When it comes to packaging design, there are a myriad of options and we know it can seem overwhelming. At Packwise, we want to help you as best we can, so feel free to contact us 
The difference between primary and secondary wrapping
What is the difference between primary and secondary wrapping? Primary packaging is in direct contact with the product, which secondary packaging is not. Secondary packaging is therefore the outer packaging, which can be of many different materials, shapes and sizes. It can serve different purposes. For example, it can protect the primary packaging and thus the product. In addition, it can bring together several products in one box. These boxes help to give the consumer a feeling of exclusivity, as it is an added luxury to have the products neatly packed in a box. This way, the products are protected while being collected in a nice box. At Packwise we have developed several high quality boxes in good materials. It’s a way to spoil your customers a little extra.
If your secondary packaging is a box, the consumer may end up using it for decoration, storage or something else entirely. If you want your box to end up on the consumer’s shelf rather than in the bin, try to create a design that they will want to keep on display. It is therefore important to think about how you can get the consumer to keep your secondary packaging once the product has been used. Your box should be aesthetic and functional, thus persuading the consumer to keep it. So if you hope your customers will use your secondary packaging for storage or other purposes, you should consider this when designing it. A good example is Apple’s gift box, which, with its stylish design, has won a place on many consumers’ shelves rather than in the bin. See examples of jewellery box designs in our blog.
Gosh
Several brands in the cosmetics and personal care industry are running Christmas calendars in the run-up to December. Examples include Clinique, Makeup Revolution and Clarins. Other brands produce a limited number of products in specially designed Christmas-themed packaging. Such Christmas collections can be found, for example, at the cosmetics brand M.A.C. Cosmetics, which has various collections throughout the year. The collections consist of their standard containers, which are always to be found in their range, as well as some new containers. The collection has an overall theme that influences the design of each product. So there is an overall interaction that makes the products belong together. As there are limited numbers and the products come in an exclusive design, the products often sell out before December is over.
One of the world’s leading beer companies, Carlsberg, has replaced the traditional plastic packaging for 6-packs with a sustainable alternative. Snap Pack holds the beers together using recyclable glue, reducing the carbon footprint by reducing the risk of plastic waste. According to Carlsberg, plastic use will be reduced by 76% compared to previous multipacks. This means that 1200 tonnes of plastic will be saved annually once all 4-, 6- and 8-packs have been converted. Carlsberg is committed to making a difference in reducing plastic waste. At the same time, the initiative is in line with the growing focus on sustainability, which has led consumers to demand sustainable alternatives more than before.
It can be difficult to describe the colour you want your packaging to be. Army green, dark blue and pink look different depending on who you ask. That’s why at Packwise we use the Pantone Matching System. Using this system, you can designate exactly the colour you want for your packaging. The Pantone colours are systematised with identification in the form of numbers, which makes it easy to exchange information about the colours. The system ensures that you get the specific colour you want.
Origins, the skincare and cosmetics brand, focuses on colour in its designs. They make use of powerful colours, creating cohesion in the product lines and catching the consumer’s eye on the shelves. Each product is adorned with a colour, which is used to create associations with the product’s benefits and ingredients. For example, the ‘GinZing’ product line can be found in the Origins range, where the packaging has a fiery orange colour. Orange is often associated with healthy, juicy fruits, vitamin C, warmth and energy, which is consistent with the purpose of the GinZing products: to give skin a fresh, healthy and radiant glow.
LØS market is a 100% organic and packaging-free shop that offers the consumer a green purchase. All their products are sold in bulk, which means that LØS market does not bother unnecessary waste. As an alternative to the disposable packaging in which much fruit and vegetables are packed, we offer LØS market packaging that can be used again and again. They have organic cotton bags, glass jars and patent bottles. For the jars and bottles they have a deposit system. LØS market is one of the companies that has taken up the fight against over-packaging.
Instead of simply making packaging more eco-friendly and less environmentally damaging to dispose of after use, packaging designers are now wracking their brains to devise easy ways to recycle used packaging.
Less is more