Press Release Summary: The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) and sustainable business experts Envirowise have collaborated on a new design guide aimed at helping product and packaging designers, as well as marketing managers and buyers, to improve the sustainability of their packaging, optimise costs and focus on achieving environmental aims.
Press Release Body: PackGuide: A Guide to Packaging Eco-Design explains how to minimise the total amount of resources that go into making the packaging, without reducing it to an extent that the contents are spoiled.
The quick reference, practical nature of the Guide will make it an invaluable daily working guide for anyone interested in the environment and cost optimisation. It explains what needs to be considered to design packaging systems which will optimize the use of materials, energy and water, and minimize waste.
The guide gives practical examples of how to minimise the environmental footprint and optimise costs for delivering products safely from farm or factory to the consumer or other end-user.
Jane Bickerstaffe, Director of INCPEN says: "When Envirowise came to us with the intention of producing a guide, we were very keen to get involved. As a House of Lords Committee said in its recent report on waste reduction, there are gaps in knowledge on designing for sustainability. We agree and think there is a real need for a quick and easy to use reference document to help designers make good design decisions. We feel this guide will help fill that knowledge gap."
Jenni Rosser, packaging specialist at Envirowise, says: "The need for eco-design and its competitive advantage has been recognised by leading retailers, brands and suppliers who are setting bold packaging targets. The Courtauld Commitment for example, a voluntary agreement between WRAP and major UK grocery organisations such as ASDA, Tesco and M&S, aims to deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by 2010 and we believe many other companies would see the benefits of making such a commitment."
The PackGuide: A Guide to Packaging Eco-Design is available on request via the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794 or visit: http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/GG908 ENDS
Media Enquiries: Please contact: Caroline Charles or Harriet Jones at Bray Leino PR Telephone: 0117 973 1173 Email: ccharles@brayleino.co.uk or hjones@brayleino.co.uk
Notes to Editors PackGuide: A Guide to Packaging Eco-Design covers the following areas:
About Envirowise Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over GBP1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
# The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794 # An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information # Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions
About INCPEN The Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment is a research organisations set up in 1974 to study the environmental and social impact of packaging. It draws together an influential group of companies that operate throughout the supply chain and share a common interest in packaging, the environment and sustainable development.
Web Site: http://www.envirowise.gov.uk
Contact Details: Bray Leino Bristol The Blue House Clifton Down Bristol BS8 3HT Caroline Charles or http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/ Ali Shah ali.shah@summitmedia.com