Milk carton : Rethinking classic packaging.

Can we achieve net zero waste from showering despite the excessive production of plastic containers and packaging? Milk carton

Now that body wash and shampoo have almost completely replaced soap, plastic shower containers and packaging are discarded daily. Even though plastic containers can be recycled, the carbon emissions are higher and not as environmentally friendly as that from paper products. Milk carton is a mostly classic packaging design. 

Answering the questions by packaging design. Milk carton

Therefore, Japanese design genius Oki Sato led the Tokyo Olympic torch design team ‘Nendo’ to solve the problem of overproduction of plastic shower containers. They designed a reusable paper container with a pump, looking just like a milk carton with a straw.

This package consists of three parts: a base, a pump, and a gable-top paper carton. The first two parts can be reused. When the body wash is used up, we can just get the paper carton replaced.

A packaging design responds to two predicaments in life

Using this design is very simple. Firstly, turn the gable-top carton upside down and place the top end into the base to fix it (in a V-shape). The flat bottom of the carton contains an opening, so the pump can be inserted into the carton like a straw. The carton’s gable top resting at the base forms a collection tank, which effectively collects all the liquid so that liquid hand wash, shampoo, or body wash can be used to the last drop. This design is very convenient and helps us remain environmentally friendly in our everyday lives. What a genius design!

This container is expected to be launched in 2022. It is a product designed by Nendo for Mitsubishi Corporation Packaging Ltd. and Nippon Paper Industries.

Rethinking classic packaging

When designers are thinking about packaging, they often try to reinterpret the classics. Sometimes the latest concepts come from classics that we are all used to from the old days.

Where did the gable top carton come from?

The first gable top carton was called Pure Pak®, it was patented in 1915 and designed by American John Van Wormer (1856-1942) . This kind of carton continued to evolve in the following decades, and engineers developed the FFS machine that can form, fill, and seal the carton in one production step.

Wormer’s invention solves the problem of transporting fresh milk. The paper milk carton is economical and convenient since it is lighter than a glass bottle, easy to seal and can be mass-produced. Moreover, the gable top design makes it easier to pour milk.

Packaging is to meet the needs of life

Packaging can alleviate more inconveniences from life.

Power for the possible. We are Fudy, your product packaging consultant.

Source 1｜ nendo     

Source 2｜ELOPAK