Did you know that up to 80% of a product’s environmental footprint is shaped during the design phase? That’s right—everything from material selection to end-of-life considerations can be decided before an item even hits the shelf.

Join us as we explore the creative collaborations, exciting product developments, and industry insights that highlight how conscious design can pave the way for a healthier future.

Collaborations 🤝

🌊Dundrun & Sulapac Team Up for Plastic-free Sea-Tagging

Scallops are among the top 5 exported seafood species, which means they cross vast bodies of water before reaching their destination. That’s the dilemma: after extended periods out of water, they begin to open, so tagging each scallop is essential to ensure freshness. Traditional tagging methods require plastic, yes, tonnes of it.

Facing the reality of 1.2 million tags each year in Norway, seafood specialist Dundrum decided to turn the tide by adopting Finnish Sulapac’s bio-based material, after significant research.

This is the first time Sulapac Universal Flex, made from sustainably sourced wood chips and plant-based binders, will feature in the fish industry. The material is also compostable under industrial conditions and compatible with existing manufacturing equipment, ensuring scallops remain tagged for freshness without additional plastic entering the oceans.

Next up in the business plan: Biodegradable QR codes?

More on the labelling front:

200+ brands adopt Sinclair’s compostable produce sticker despite absence of mandatory regulations

💄 Wildsmith’s and Shellworks 100% home-compostable packaging

Ever wonder what happens to your empty skincare containers?

Wildsmith, an award-winning UK-based skincare brand, is tackling that question head-on. Their newest 100% home-compostable packaging uses Shellworks Vivomer, a biopolymer made with plant-based ingredients and natural microbes—meaning it can break down in 52 weeks.

No fuss, no muss, no landfill guilt.

More

Product Developments 💡

💐 Smithers-Oasis’s New Plant-based Floral Foam

Smithers-Oasis, a global horticultural leader, is making floral design greener with OASIS Renewal foam.

Unsatisfied with just going plant-based, the brand decided to set an example of quality. Its new foam boasts an OK Biobased certification and a 4-star rating from TUV Austria for its plant-based composition while matching its petroleum-based counterpart’s performance with a 56% lower carbon footprint.

The result? A bouquet of freshness—minus the petroleum-based baggage. The minimalist, lightweight design highlights the beauty of flowers with less labor and cost.

OASIS Renewal will be available soon in several countries with free samples. Commercialization announcements are expected later this year.

🧪 Green Science is Cooking Up a Biodegradable Plasticizer

Japan-based Green Science Alliance is exploring how leftover cooking oil could power eco-friendly innovation.

The company’s biodegradable plasticizer is made from waste oils and plant-based ingredients and is compatible with a wide range of materials rubber, resins, adhesives—you name it. This development is poised to shake up multiple industries including F&B and Fashion

🖨️ NatureWorks delivers fast & high-quality printing with Ingeo 3D300

NatureWorks, a U.S.-based bioplastics pioneer, has unveiled Ingeo 3D300—the newest star in additive manufacturing. The biopolymer is derived from annually renewable resources and prints faster and cleaner while maintaining top-notch quality.

For designers and makers, it’s a sustainable way to turn big ideas into tangible products—without the big carbon footprint.

Compromising for a realistic transition?

BASF releases the world’s first biomass-balanced polyethersulfone (PESU)

Education 📚

🪑 “Chairing” the Future: Geoff Isaac’s Call for Designers to Lead the Transition

Australian author Geoff Isaac uses chairs as a metaphor to dive into the nuts and bolts of sustainable product design—from cutting down on waste to transitioning to bio-based or recycled materials. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or an enthusiastic consumer, this read offers fresh insights into the current state of plastics & solutions, circular designs (featuring leading designers), and support on how to educate customers.

Industry Insights 🌍

🤖 Top Packaging Trends 2025: Where AI Meets Circular Economy

What does the future hold for packaging?

Think AI-powered smart solutions, connectivity that tracks the product life cycle, and circular economy initiatives that keep materials in play (expect to hear more about reusable and renewable). This forecast, courtesy of the global industry platform Packaging Insights, shows that tomorrow’s packaging is all about feeding data back into design—so we can keep iterating toward a more sustainable future.

You'll also find insights about the organizations driving trends and regulations that will shape the future of packaging.

Want to dive deeper?

That’s it for this edition!

Whether you’re creating next-gen scallop tags or rethinking skincare containers, remember—great design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about building a legacy where beauty and functionality meet environmental responsibility. Until next time, keep designing a world that outlasts us all! 🌎