A SUSTAINABLE TOOTHPASTE PACKAGING DESIGN THAT THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX - LITERALLY!

[Bayard]

The next time you go to a general store, take a look around you carefully. You’ll notice how heavy the packaging is around the smallest of items and it will mostly be plastic. There is so much redundant boxing of products that we’ve made hours of content on “unboxing” them. Let’s start with solving this problem for one of the most popular everyday products and the first step to our mornings – toothpaste!

An academic project gave birth to Coolpaste – the eco-friendly alter ego of our trusty old toothpaste. The aim was to develop a sustainable packaging design for toothpaste in a way that didn’t affect their durability while being transported or stacked on shelves. For the purpose of the project, Colgate toothpaste was used as the object of study. Coolpaste not only got a physical makeover that was better for the environment, but the graphic elements of the product were also refreshed to reflect the goal of the project. The paper box was eliminated after an in-depth point-of-sale study without affecting the integrity of the toothpaste. This made the product lighter, reduced waste, and simplified branding also eliminated the chemical inks making Coolpaste a success in terms of sustainable packaging and ecodesign.

In the final proposal, Coolpaste was presented as a product that would hang instead of being stacked and it’s packaging was not only recyclable but also biodegradable. This design would solve logistical and environmental issues for global toothpaste brands if implemented. Coolpaste also comes with a cap(e)!

https://www.yankodesign.com/2020/01/16/a-sustainable-toothpaste-packaging-design-that-thinks-outside-the-box-literally/


I think this could be applied to SO many products.... More pics at link.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Packaging redundancy drives me crazy!

I love this.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Looks like a good, and long overdue, idea...

[Duppers]

3. THIS is great!

Yay!! Now to get Crest to put their new Gum toothpaste in this packaging.

[Cartoonist]

4. That doesn't look tamper proof

Good idea. Needs work.

[SCVDem]

11. Like an inner seal

Along with outer shrink wrap?

I remember before the Tylenol tampering in the early 80s we never cared.

[Mariana]

12. It probably has a little foil or plastic cover sealed to the opening.

You would have to remove that before you could use the product.

[lunatica]

5. I'll definitely buy that.

[frazzled]

6. Unless you order the toothpaste online

I try to avoid online purchases as much as possible. I see the amount of packaging that arrives in my building every day, delivered by a number of behemoth vehicles; and my eco conscious son, who has shunned owning a car, manages to pile up scads of shipping boxes every week to take care of the needs of his family. I frankly don’t get it.

But I succumbed a few months ago. I need several cosmetics items, but was prevented by work pressures, weather conditions, and other factors from going out to get them. So I ordered from a department store online, with the temptation of free delivery. One was a very small bottle of foundation primer, no more than an inch wide and 4 or five inches high, and an eyeshadow stick, the size of maybe half a pencil. Both could have fit together in the smallest size padded envelope. Instead, each item arrived in a separate giant box—each large enough to contain a pair of tall men’s winter snow boots—stuffed with tons of packing material. I was confounded.

Next time, I will take the hour or two to shop in store, and put these items in my pocket.

[tecelote]

7. Absolutely

A lot of items are more packaging than product!

[2naSalit]

8. Until they

start making toothpaste that has no mint and doesn't taste like bubble gum, I'm stuck the same old, over packaged, crap I have to use so I don't burn my face off or make the inside of my mouth peel.

Allergy to mint, it's odd but it's real.

[eggplant]

13. Tom's makes a variety of flavors you might be able to use.

Some with and some without fluoride. You could always contact them to ask specifically about your allergy. They'll probably send you a sample tube!

Here's one of their flavors: https://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/oral-care/whole-care-toothpaste/cinnamon-clove

[2naSalit]

19. Tried it

don't like it because my mouth doesn't feel right after use. I've tried them all, trust me, this is an ongoing and lifelong issue... and I'm not young.

[Chellee]

21. Have you tried Lush's Toothy Tabs?

Specifically, the Boom! flavor? It's black pepper.

https://uk.lush.com/face/dental

[2naSalit]

22. I have not,

must be rather new. I use lots of LUSH products, have since before they were in the US. I don't need to order anything yet so I haven't seen the product There are no shops anywhere near me. I do confess I never looked for dental care products with them. I love their lotions, soaps and shampoos.

I'll look into that, thanks. I'm open to new stuff nust not the stuff that's been around for a long time and isn't a good fit for me.

[Karadeniz]

9. Thanks for letting us see that people are still thinking about this problem!😀

[Old Crank]

10. In my stores in Munich

The toothpaste still comes in boxes. But I can get mustard, mayonnaise, and tomato paste in tubes. The tubes are standing screw cap down stuck into the shipping box. So the shipping box is the display rack and is recyclable cardboard. So it can be done.

[calimary]

14. K&R!!! What a great idea! I hope we see a LOT more such ideas.

We need it. Our planet needs it!!!

[certainot]

15. if it's going to hang it should have a uniform rectangular cross section so it's uniformly thinner

instead of thin at one end and round and fatter at the dispensing end. even if it's not going to hang that would allow closer stacking anyway.

that's my 2 cents!

[James48]

16. Unfortunately

Much of the packaging is where legally required things are found. Like:

Ingredients list.

Bar code

Endorsement seal of the American Dental Association.

Instructions for use

Warnings for those allergic to ingredients.

Consumer warnings.

Net Weight.

Sometimes the packaging is how manufacturers comply with legal requirements.

[FirstLight]

17. PLEASE! YES!

I hate looking on the shelves in the store and seeing plastic and crap everywhere!

If we could go back to some of the older, most basic packaging it would be HUGE!

EVERY major corporation involved with food production should compete to see who can get their packaging down to little or no waste...

Definitely long overdue!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

18. I have become a big fan of the flip top cap on the tube.

In the box you can't tell if it is attached. No matter the brand, they can be different.

Amazon picked up on this ...
2 x 5 Toothpaste Flip Top Caps for Crest - Close-Up - Colgate - Aquafresh and More. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719GDBVD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B83jEbFXT25KX