GIFT BOX UNWRAPPED ..

putting my gift box apart ...

hopefully it gives better idea... next is a plasticine model...same concept but 3D visual without use of cardboard
 

RESEARCH 6, GREEN LOGOS AND SYMBOLS

Packaging recycling symbols and logos

There are a number of symbols which commonly appear on packaging products. Some of these indicate the whether the item is recyclable, whilst others show the recycled material content.

Metals

Most beverage and food cans made from steel and aluminium can be recycled. Look out for the following symbols:

Recyclable aluminium

Recyclable steel

Cardboard

                                                                   or   

The above symbol, called the Mobius loop, is most commonly found on cardboard packaging and denotes that the item is recyclable. If the centre of the loop contains a number, this means that the item is made from a certain percentage of recycled materials.

                                                                         

Another symbol often displayed on paper and cardboard packaging is the RESY recycling symbol. This symbol guarantees that packaging with this symbol is recyclable and will be accepted by cardboard recyclers.

Glass

                                                                          

Whilst most glass containers are recyclable, this symbol reminds consumers to recycle glass jars and bottles, either at bottle banks or, where available, through kerbside collection schemes.

Plastics

There are a wide range of plastics used in packaging. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, the American Society of Plastics Industry developed a standard marking code to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic. These types and their most common uses are shown below:

	PET	Polyethylene terephthalate - Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.
	HDPE	High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.
	PVC	Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.
	LDPE	Low density polyethylene - Carrier bags and bin liners.
	PP	Polypropylene - Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.
	PS	Polystyrene - Yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.
	OTHER	Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. - An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.

Other symbols

                                                                        

Another symbol often appearing on packaging is the German 'Green Dot'. This does not have any environmental significance, meaning only that the manufacturer has paid a fee towards the packaging recovery system in Germany.

                                                                     

The European Eco-label has been developed by the European Union to encourage the development of products which keep the impact on the environment to a minimum. It is a voluntary scheme and the 'flower' symbol is awarded to products that meet a set of stringent environmental and performance criteria. These criteria take into account all aspects of a product's life, from its production and use to its eventual disposal (cradle-to-grave approach). About 400 products - from washing machines to footwear - currently carry the label. Packaging is included in this life cycle analysis where it is integral to the product, such as washing up liquid or laundry detergents.

                                                                    

If you see this symbol - it means you can put the packaging into your council's compost collection box or bag (if they provide one!)
This is a relatively new symbol found on biodegradable plastic packaging. The symbol signifies that the packaging has been tested, and is suitable for putting into local authority compost collections.

INETERSESTING FACTS..

I have found these interesting PDF file on www.paper.org.uk website:

INTERESTING FIGURES..

E. COLI BACTERIA CREATE SUSTAINABLE INK !

 

The notorious E. Coli bacteria, renowned as a source of food poisoning, has lately been undergoing something of a rehabilitation tour. Various strains of E. coli are being developed to make sustainable BIOFUELS or convert sunlight into USABLE ENERGY and in the latest example, a team of chemists from Tufts University in Massachusetts has engineered new strains of fluorescent E. coli bacteria. These strains can grow into colorful patterns that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

colorful pattens that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art, reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13sT8)

colorful pattens that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art, reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13sT8)

 

olorful pattens that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art, reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13sT8)

colorful pattens that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art, reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13sT8)

colorful pattens that could form coded messages, signs, or works of art, reducing the need for inks or paints based on petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13sT8)

RESEARCH 5 CONTINUES - MOLDED PULP - LIGHT BULB MOMENT OF SECONDARY USE !

I have contacted several companies like Cell pack Solutions, Paper Pulp Solution, Pacific Pulp, Molded Paper, Molded-Pulp and Cullen with regards to their products and pricing. 

Some of them are based in UK and some in USA. So far only Pacific Pulp got in touch and gave me some idea on their price.

Also I had light bulb moment! instead of seeds the box will be impregnated with seeds like flower seeds, herbs, or even hops. To attract the variety of buyers it would be a good idea to vary the seed selection.  As one of Wye Valley proverb say: 'A LITTLE BOX OF WHAT YOU FANCY DOES YOU GOOD'

The company that does such thing is Molded Pulp (http://www.molded-pulp.com/plantable-packaging.html ). They generate Plantable Packaging™

which is the latest innovation in “green” packaging, a UFP Technologies brand.  Plantable Packaging is a 100% recyclable custom packaging solution with flower seeds embedded.  Instead of tossing away your packaging in the trash, it can be planted in a garden to grow! A variety of flower, herb and vegetable seeds can be selected to be embedded within your packaging. After a few easy steps your packaging can be planted into soil.

in UK I haven't found a company that would do such thing...apart from seeded paper:

Plantable Seeded Paper: http://www.plantableseedpaper.co.uk/categories.asp?Sector_ID=1