Design Against Littering
Mitigate littering through enhanced packaging design
The majority of a product’s lifecycle is determined during its design phase. Choices regarding materials and composition, for instance, determine whether the packaging can be recycled into new products or easily source-separated.
However, the design of the packaging also plays a significant role in determining whether it re-enters the circular economy at all. This is especially pertinent for products with a high risk of becoming litter, such as on-the-go items, snacks, and take-away packaging. Hence, it is crucial to assess the littering risk a product poses during its use phase and take measures to minimize the likelihood of the packaging ending up as litter.
In the ‘Design Against Littering’ project, we have focused on how to reduce littering stemming from packaging in consumer products. Collaborating with packaging developers and experts, we have formulated principles for effective packaging design and compiled recommendations in a dedicated design guide.
Design guide featuring 7 strategies to reduce littering
The design guide provides specific advice on how packaging can be designed to minimize littering.
Additionally, a specialized course module has been developed, slated to be part of the Emballasjeskolen in 2024. Emballasjeskolen is an in-person educational program organized by the Packaging Association.
This project is a collaborative effort involving Keep Norway Clean, Mepex, Green Dot Norway, and the Packaging Association, with funding from the Retailer’s Environmental Fund.
