World Packaging Organisation and World Design Organization announce joint project to tackle sustainable packaging

This initiative will work in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, to address internationally relevant topics, including food waste and safety, sustainable packaging, circularity and education to help spur meaningful change at both the individual and industry level.

“The WPO is thrilled to be involved in this first ever joint venture with WDO,” stated WPO President, Pierre Pienaar. “Design, and even more so sustainable design, is such a key element to the future development of packaging that at this critical time, we must ensure the impact on our global natural resources and our environment is minimally affected. We therefore enthusiastically approach this opportunity and anticipate innovative outcomes to the benefit of multiple communities and generations.”

“Since its inception in 2020, WDO’s World Design Challenge concept has empowered hundreds of designers who all volunteer their expertise to examine issues and validate ideas towards quick and tangible resolutions on a number of significant social problems. “What our international design community can accomplish remotely within this two-week period without ever even meeting in-person is nothing short of amazing,” stated WDO President, Srini Srinivasan. “Under the guidance of subject matter experts, we collectively map out the problem, generate ideas, make quick decisions and develop tangible prototypes that are then ready to be tested prior to implementation.”

1. How can we design sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce?
2. How can we redesign packaging that reduces consumer food waste?
3. How can we develop sustainable solutions to food service delivery packages to reduce packaging waste in particular with online food ordering and delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, as well as meal kit providers such as Hello Fresh?
4. How do we design sustainable packaging for healthy and on-the-go lifestyles?
5. How can we improve packaging sustainability in communities where no collection systems are in place?
6. How can we develop packaging that is child proof but easy to open for the elderly and those with physical vulnerabilities?
7. How can we change/engage consumer behaviour to help increase sustainable habits such as recycling, reusing, upcycling, composting and reducing food waste?

Expected outcomes of this initiative include shareable design-led solutions that can be extended to both packaging industries and other sectors, as a way to encourage waste prevention, engage and educate consumers and foster more sustainable business models.

Designers and other professionals with experience and/or interest in sustainable packaging design are invited to apply as participants and facilitators on or before 30 April 2021, 11:59 EDT.