HP, based in Palo Alto, Calif., used recycled polyester copolymer RPETG to replace PVC, opening up a new world of eco-friendly packaging. RPETG thermoformed products are used in new HP inkjet cartridge products sold at member-owned commercial sites. “HP has corporate goals to improve the environmental impact of products and packaging,†Lantz added. “I set a goal for my team to create more environmentally friendly packaging for our membership-based customers. We work closely with member-based shopping malls to understand Their needs, and they also participate in the design process." Lantz pointed out that RPETG can be listed as the preferred material for PETE. She also believes that PET, RPET, and RPETG are easier to recycle than PVC, so another environmental advantage of this packaging is resource savings. What is Rpetg? One of the biggest advantages of RPETG may be that it allows customers to have a well-recognized SPI #1 PETE recycling mark, but Tidball still insists that there is no recycling of these materials for non-beverage use.
Eco-friendly packaging involves a series of complex situations such as changing materials, developing new types of packaging, and fixing packages to a small number of forms that can withstand dozens of different changes over the years. "This is all about improving the environment," HP explained to Andrea Lantz, engineering and customization manager.
HP also works closely with the packaging vendor Display Pack, who supports material selection and testing.
The inkjet cartridges are packaged by Display Pack, Inc., a 0.018 inch transparent RPETG thermoplastic and provide printed inserts with graphics. The printed insert is also eco-friendly: it consists of 100% recycled lithographic paperboard with 5 colors on the front, 4 colors on the inside, and waterborne paint. Each insert meets the thermoformed bevel angle, which is a 45 degree angle along both sides of the front thermoforming, providing a distinctive look that seamlessly integrates the entire product line.
“I am excited about this new packaging approach not only because it meets the environmental and cost requirements but also because of its attractive appearance,†Lantz said. “Our marketing team is also helpful in this effort. The front plane of the package provides a large display card for the marketing chart, which helps the member store customers to choose the right product. For the trademark and sturdiness, the beveled side of the package mimics the bevel of our single-package inkjet cartridge. ."
Major achievements, major changes
According to Lantz, HP has completed improvements to member store packaging through several years of hard work. She pointed out: "As part of our long-term commitment to the environment, HP has been working towards replacing other affiliate packages since the launch of 'Tripacks'." HP is selling member stores (especially Costco, Sam and BJ). All inkjet cartridges were switched to this new package and reached a total of 25 different items.
New packaging no longer uses PVC thermoformed products, reducing the total amount of packaging materials. "We want to replace PVC with a more environmentally-friendly material," Lantz said. "We tested a number of materials and structural designs and found that this form of RPETG effectively meets our needs for the protection and display of quality products, while at the same time meeting the needs of member stores to prevent theft and meet the needs of the shopping mall environment."
It is worth noting that HP used only four thermoformed packages to satisfy the packaging of 25 types of ink cartridges and their accessories: one for all products and three for different products.
“Although the shape of the ink jet cartridge is fundamentally different, HP can design a variety of different products for the same thermoformed package by carefully designing cavities,†Lantz said, “because the inkjet cartridges are put directly into the packaging. In the new packaging format, the packaging is reduced by one layer. The previous packaging format was to place the inkjet cartridge in a separate retail carton."
An additional advantage for consumers is that they can see the actual cartridge through the transparent back of the package, Lantz added.
Transparent protection
Hole design also provides product protection. "Every single product fits into the cavity and is protected separately," said HaJung Kim-Gifford, HP's packaging engineering and planning manager.
Lantz also pointed out that although the overall size of the package is smaller than the previous package, its size is still sufficient to meet the anti-theft protection requirements of member stores. The size of the package makes it difficult for a possible thief to hide the unopened product. Affiliate shopping malls also require customers to open packages using scissors-like tools.
Kim-Gifford led the structural design work. HP was able to maintain the thickness of the thermoformed product at 0.018 inches as before. Hajung tested the performance in terms of compression, impact, and drop and proved to be as good as PVC packaging. Kim-Gifford also experienced unexpected surprises. "Transparency surprised me. It's a little blue, but it feels comfortable. It fits well with our design. We are very satisfied with the changes in packaging materials." Blue The color pigments mask the yellowing associated with the reprocessing of recycled PET or PETG. He also believes that the use of radio frequency RPETG sealing is better than RPET, because the release of ethylene glycol emissions pressure RPET, making it easier to seal. "This type of seal will not be as brittle and breakable as other methods," Lantz added.
HP's team also includes Jean Gingras, the company’s North American environmental marketing manager. "HP is always looking for new ways to improve the recyclability of materials and products," Gingras said. "This is a clear testament to HP's consistent commitment to environmental responsibility. We are constantly looking for alternative materials for inkjet cartridge packaging to be more environmentally friendly." Friendly, you will see that this trend will continue."
To be sure, HP will continue to create new packaging that is meaningful to businesses, customers, and the environment.
Marty Tidball, head of sales and marketing at Display Pack, described the difference between recycled PET (RPET) and recycled PETG (RPETG). He claims that RPETG, a polyester copolymer, is often used in pharmaceutical and medical packaging applications when it is not in use. in.
"According to our understanding, there is no recycling plan for PETG, or, frankly, for any thermoformed plastic used in "non-beverage" container packaging. Non-beverage plastic packaging materials are either disposed of or they are buried, regardless of What SPI mark," Tidball said. “Our RPETG comes from the PETG waste that remains after production.†Display Pack company in a closed-loop system by three companies to obtain RPETG sheet material.
Why not Rpet but Rpetg?
Tidball believes that the biggest problem with RPET is that it is difficult to completely seal and it tends to become brittle after sealing. He added: "RPETG has better sealing performance than RPET."
“In fact, RPETG has the impact resistance of PVC, which is one of the major advantages of PVC.†Display Pack has already provided HP's previously used PVC packaging.
Tidball claims that this material has slightly better transparency than PVC. After the recovery process, RPET/RPETG tends to yellow over time, so blue pigment is added to cover yellow. Blue may frighten some customers, but HP's staff feel the blues are trendy and complement blue in their blue-based designs.
Tidball predicts that Display Pack will use 3 million pounds of RPETG per year for HP. He acknowledged that the sources are reliable but also limited. “Unlike other polymers of PVC or RPET, RPETG supplies are limited and it is more difficult to find. We had to 'drill holes in walls' to find ways to support this project.†Display Pack recycles its RPETG waste, Return to the material manufacturer.
Source: International Packaging Business
Eco-friendly packaging