November 5, 2011
With the negative effects of plastic on the planet now being discovered, there is an emphasis on waste reduction for companies and consumers alike. But how do you reduce packaging without compromising the product itself? One company we worked with – Grow Your Own Pots – wanted to find a solution to this problem, and we came up with an inventive solution: make the packaging part of the product!
The product – a kit allowing you to grow your own fruit/veg at home – consists of a 500ml outer pot; an inner, holed pot; plant seeds; and growing medium. All the packaging is recyclable. The outer pot has a dual purpose – it forms the packaging and doubles up as a watertight container for the inner pot.
This plan did not come without its complications. The first challenge was to find the right growing medium. It had to support both seedlings and the maturing plants. It also had to be of a consistency that would flow through our machine without clogging – many composts and other growing media are too lumpy for this. Thirdly, it had to be fibrous enough that in transit it didn’t all run out of the holed pot. Finally, we had to be able to measure out very small quantities.
Once we had sourced a suitable growing medium, the next step was sealing the package. For this, we invested in a pot-sealing machine. The machine we acquired can film- seal all kinds of containers and is also capable of sealing pots with a lid if required.
The project was a huge success, and we are looking forward to tackling more challenges like this in future. If you’re interested in reducing the packaging of your products, be it for the environment or as a cost-saving initiative, don’t hesitate to get in touch and see what Glowcroft can do for you!