Packaging is one of the largest global consumers of materials (Global packaging materials market size was estimated at just under USD 1.1 trillion dollars in 2022 (source: Global Market Insights) and one which impacts upon everyone.
Packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring that the vast majority of products, from delicate fresh produce to large pieces of industrial equipment, reach their destination in pristine condition and can be traced throughout the supply chain on their journey from manufacturer to consumer. Fundamentally, materials selection for packaging relies on having a good understanding of the structure, and properties of materials, and their performance during their first life and beyond and how they can be applied to deliver pristine products.
In recent years greater emphasis has been placed on sustainability and circularity; materials selection and design are key in ensuring that packaging is fit for purpose and environmentally responsible. There is increased emphasis on making packaging that can be easily recycled, with an emphasis on reducing the use of difficult to recycle materials and designs.
The Brief
The challenge for this brief is to select a piece of packaging that you think would be difficult to recycle:
- Explore the materials and format used and explain why it is difficult to recycle.
- Design an alternative packaging format for the same product where the shape, materials and functionality can provide at least the same level of convenience for the consumer while improving its sustainability credentials.
- Explain the sustainability improvements that you have made.
You can select any piece of packaging that you think would be difficult to recycle.
Identify where the packaging is in need of improvement, thinking about:
- its carbon impacts
- the manufacture of the packaging,
- the consumers use of the packaging and
- the eventual end of useful life scenario for the packaging.
In the course of research, you should consider the following:
- How the current design of the packaging is influenced by the material choice
- What the carbon impacts of the current packaging are
- How the current packaging is manufactured
- How the current packaging flows through the supply chain
- What the consumers experience of using the current packaging is
- How the current packaging is treated in the existing waste management infrastructure
- The priorities for sustainable packaging design - Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- The material, format and manufacturing process of the new packaging
- How the new packaging flows through the supply chain
- The consumers experience of using the new packaging
- The way in which your new packaging will be treated in the existing waste management infrastructure.
Entry Guidelines
You should submit the findings of your investigation in the form of a 3,000 word report together with design boards illustrating the keypoints of the proposed design alternative supplied as pdfs or in a powerpoint presentation.
The 4 A3 development boards uploaded as a single PDF document should include the following:
- Research board.
- Design exploration board.
- Net of recommended design solution.
If appropriate any visual evidence should be uploaded as a single PDF document and should:
- Showcase the front, back and sides of the model.
- Be shot against a white background and in focus. These images will be used in the Starpack Students Competition book and potentially for additional promotion.
- A maximum of 4 images should be uploaded.
- For students who are unable to supply a final model, 3D renderings and drawings are accepted.
- The project names submitted at the time of entry will be printed as typed, if there are any errors and certificates/trophies need replacing, then the entrant will be liable for these costs.
- If you are not able to attend the ceremony in person or the ceremony becomes virtual, certificates and trophies will be sent by post to the entrants to the mailing address listed in the entry on 2 July 2026.
- Please make sure you have access to the mailing address past term times. If you are unsure, please enter your home address.
- IOM3 is unable to issue replacements for certificates/trophies sent to wrong addresses.
- The entry fee is £20 per entry.
- You will be invoiced for the entry payment once you have submitted your entry. If you have indicated that your college/university is paying for your entry, please ignore the invoice directed at you as another invoice will be sent directly to your college/university.
- The invoice will be received by Monday 30 March 2026 at the very latest and the deadline for payment is Friday1 May 2026. If your invoice is not paid, your entry may not be shortlisted for judging.
About the Entry
Judging criteria
- Quality of research and presentation of findings
- Discussion on life cycle assessment and sustainability
- Discussion on potential applications of the chosen material and design.
Brief G Judges
Mike Swain B.Sc.(Hons.) FIMMM APkgPrf MInstPkg(Dip)
Tom South CEnv FIMMM
David Little FIMMM, MInstPkg(Dip)
Prize
Winner: £500.00 cash prize
Runner-up: £100.00 cash prize
IOM3 presents trophies to Gold, Silver and Bronze and certificates to Highly Commended entries.
About the IOM3 Packaging Group
The IOM3 Packaging Group (formerly the Packaging Society) traces its roots back to the Institute of Packaging. This network provides people with knowledge, information and best practices on all aspects of packaging materials and technologies enabling considered choices, good design and more sustainable packaging. The group helps provide an understanding of the key role packaging materials have in reducing food waste and in working towards a net-zero society.
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