Video Reflections

Giving packaging a new life

The information is quite useful for young designers since it shows what materials are recyclable and what processes the materials go through to be recycled. This allows designers to be able to design products that can be recycled more efficiently. The movie changed my view on plastics; i typically viewed plastic as a negative product for the environment. I also found out about some of the technical machinery out there that allows materials to be sorted and put back in the production cycle. I think after watching these videos i will change the way i utilise certain materials in my design projects and think more about the whole life cycle of different materials.

How it’s made: Packaging

The videos showing how certain packaging is made is very interesting because it shows the manufacturing processes, this provides designers with opportunities and also limitations into what can be done. Once you understand how certain packaging is made you gain a significant advantage and you can be more involved in the design process. I think after watching the videos, they will make me think more about Tetrapak especially since it is compact and lightweight, they also are made from mostly recycled materials while keeping food and drink safe for a long time. I will also think differently about the debate of glass or plastic bottles, since the video explores both materials.

The first take home message would be as designers, is to look at manufacturing process more strongly and appreciate them since this can determine final designs of products. Another message is to make every attempt to utilise not only sustainable materials but environmentally friendly production processes when taking into consideration how manufactured goods will be made. The final message would be to help encourage recycling and reusing especially with PET bottles which often end up in landfill, this can be minimised by being well-informed as to the major benefits to the environment by recycling certain materials. These three messages will be something that i always need to consider when designing products, often i mention materials as being ‘environmentally friendly’ because they can be recycled, but i had little knowledge of the infrastructure required to make something environmentally friendly. If I could change the situation i would set up systems that encourage major companies to utilise these types of recycling methods and limit the use of virgin materials. I fee strongly about this issue, since I believe designers are the key in making a sustainable future.