UCAN INNOVATIVE GREEN PACKAGING, 2010-2011 - California, USA

Designers: NONOBJECT, Palo Alto, California, USA
Manufacturer: Ucan Products, Menlo Park, California, USA

Project Description

The mission of UcanTM Products is to help Untrash® the world by delivering innovative products that help consumers easily separate all compostables from the waste stream. The Untrash® brand of compostable bags and beautiful countertop compost bin inspire consumers to do what is good for the planet through attractive, easy to use products.

More and more people want to make choices that don’t negatively impact the environment. But negative perceptions, inertia, and convenience get in the way. And what may seem trivial, but is in fact a great driver of purchase decisions, the packaging for many green products is perceived as unattractive and uninspiring.

Against this background, UcanTM Products saw a great opportunity to make the packaging convey that Untrash® products are not only equal to other similar products, but actually superior. Every time consumers grab an Untrash® product off the shelf they should feel pleased, even excited, that they made the switch.

The packaging for all Untrash® products helps people think differently about trash through evocative images and positive messaging. A half-eaten piece of watermelon and an apple core against a bright, white background look appealingly fresh rather than something headed for the trash. Together with the graphically bold typography and the messaging content reduced to its essentials, the packaging conveys an opportunity of positive change and a call to action. This is particularly important for a new brand in a competitive market dominated by established players, and deeply ingrained consumer usage patterns.

The Untrash® product line doesn’t just ask consumers to make a positive change. All the packaging is made from all recyclable materials in the United States, and the packaging is purposely designed with a small footprint to be optimized for greener logistics.

Ultimately, the Untrash® products help people make positive choices and build awareness of the possibilities of Untrash®-ing our world. And one recycled box of Untrash® products at a time, you’re helping reduce the volume of our landfills.