The goal of this project was to take a type of packaging used by a brand/product of choice, and explore ways to improve its ecological impact, looking at the entire life cycle from raw material selection and sourcing, to manufacturing processes, product and user needs, supply chain needs, branding, and end of the package's useful life.
The packaging examined here was a common resealable lined plastic bag used for whole bean and ground coffee. Independent Chicago roaster Metric was chosen as a stand-in brand due to its preexisting commitment to transparency and ethical sourcing of its product. A small roaster with locally-focused distribution was also chosen to help demonstrate a solution model that could be replicated within similar markets.
Recommendations included working with local supply chain partners, use of compostable materials, and facilitating a simplified experience for end users for proper disposal of their used packaging.
