Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Nicole - Designs

Below are images of my designs that I showed to my learning team and Jennie from WVB.  There are a few changes I will be making but in general the design went down well.

Key things to change - Change Yellow to Green.  Add 'locally produced' to front.  Remove yellow borders on WVB logo.  Perhaps put some hops imagery on front.



Remove yellow borders - excess ink

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Nicole - Poop Paper!



Now I've seen everything, this paper is made from the poop of fibre eating herbivore animals - elephants cows, horses, donkeys, moose and pandas to name a few!

Apparently it is odourless (I'll confirm when I've received the samples!), and is a sustainable alternative to tree-based paper.

Here's a link to one of the companies selling it

http://new.poopoopaper.com/

Nicole - Lots of beer/food pairing videos and nformation

Some videos on food and beer paring that are worth a watch


http://vimeo.com/9047083


beer and cheese...


http://vimeo.com/10943413        or


http://www.pencilandspoon.com/2009/02/beer-and-cheese-1-dorothy-goodbodys.html


it's interesting that the young guy in this video (above) mentions the following in his supportive text... "It’s got a really cool logo with the voluptuous pin-up of Dorothy draped across it. The beer itself is pretty sexy too; dark, enticing, complex and full of flavour",  so Wye Valley are already connecting with the younger market.


alternatively you might like to go more hard core and watch this video on beer and spirit pairing?!


http://vimeo.com/8444524


This link takes you to the most recent page of 2011's best beer and food writer as awarded by the British Guild of Beer Writers.  He has an extensive blog on all things beer which will teach you a think or two I'm sure! 


http://www.pencilandspoon.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=50

Nicole - About beer with Wye Brewery Founder Peter Amor

This is a series of short films featuring Peter Amor who is the founder of Wye Valley Brewery. They provide clear information into the various processes involved in the creation of cask conditioned beer.

http://vimeo.com/15392306

http://vimeo.com/16179403

http://vimeo.com/17310545

Nicole - Hairy Bikers TV programme - beer & food pairing

I watched this programme today with the Hairy Bikers.  Even the most sophisticated of palettes can be swayed by the taste of beer! - well worth a watch.


Note It's only on iplayer for the next 7 days so watch it quick if you're interested


Here's the link


http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01885m7/Hairy_Bikers_Best_of_British_Beer_and_Cider/

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Nicole - Green Terms

Biodegradable

Products that, over time, will disintegrate completely back into the earth as its original organic components. This process usually is caused by bacteria or sunlight.

Recyclable

Materials or products that, after serving their original purpose, still have usable physical or chemical properties. These items can be reused or remanufactured to make new products.

Bioplastic

Plastics made from corn, potato or other annually renewable sources which are compostable and biodegradable.

Biocompostable

Paper and Plastic products, which will biodegrade and disintegrate completely and safely when put into a municipal or commercial facility (like yard waste or food scraps). This action is usually completed within 90 days however, it will be faster if products are in smaller pieces.

Compost

A mixture of various decaying organic substances, such as dead leaves, that will usually be used for fertilizing soil.

Eco-Efficiency

The ability to do more, with less of our resources, such as using candles instead of lightbulbs, or opening windows instead of using the air conditioner.

Bagassee

The remains of sugar cane pulp after the juice is extracted. This is used to make bio-products such as packaging supplies, paper products, and absorbent products.

Carbon Footprint

A measure of impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

Conservation

Preserving and re-newing, when possible both human and natural resources.

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun.

Landfill

An area where waste is dumped and eventually covered with dirt and topsoil.

Source Reduction

Source Reduction, also know as "waste prevention," is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials (such as products and packaging) in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of trash created. Reusing items is another way to stop waste at the source because it delays or avoids that item's entry in the waste collection and disposal system.

Nicole - Fab 'green' packaging

WINNER OF THE UK'S PACKAGING AWARDS

Allied Bakeries: The Recycled Bread Bag
Recycling flexible plastics is the flavour of the month and Allied Bakeries is clearly onto a winner with its recycled bread bags for its Little Big Loaf and Crusts Away lines. The bags, which walked out a clear winner in this category, are produced by Bpi.consumer at its Worcester factory from unused offcuts that are left over from the production of other bread bags. Allied Bakeries estimates that some 18.5m bread bags are saved annually thanks to the initiative, the equivalent of 12 tonnes of virgin polyethylene. Our judges, meanwhile, were impressed by the quality of the bags which showed “no obvious quality impact from being in 100% recyclate”. Others praised the clarity of the packs, which were designed by agency 1HQ, while one judge said that producing the bags from 100% recycled material was “very much the right thing to do”.


DISSOLVABLE LABELS




It is based on a feature already present on the fruit and vegetables sold in supermarkets – the oval or circular peel-off labels fixed to their skins – but uses the same space to provide a new, innovative twist on traditional designs.

The labels dissolve into an organic soap mixture which can then be used as a cleaning product, partly aiding in the removal of substances from the fruit or vegetable’s surface, like pesticides and/or wax.
Amron
The so-called Fruitwash Labels are the brainchild of Scott Amron who, on his website, lists a number of plus-points associated with the technology, without divulging exactly what makes them work or what’s in them.
Resistant to water, the Fruitwash Labels can be treated as conventional labels if required but, as their designer points out, there’s no need.
According to Amron, the Fruitwash Labels take away the requirement to acquire and use separate fruit wash treatments.
While the labels resist water, they dissolve when rubbed.
Prior to the fruits or vegetables passing into consumers’ hands, though, they can function in the same way as a traditional label, displaying barcode information for retail stock-check purposes alongside the retail price.
The Fruitwash Labels have not yet reached the production stage but Amron is presently seeking an investor to purchase a 10% stake in the Fruitwash Label Intellectual Property.
Summer 2012
According to Gizmag, he anticipates that these dissolvable, food-cleaning labels could make their market debut in around summer 2012.
Speaking to Gizmag, Amron said: “I’ve always been discontent with fruit labels and felt they could do more than just display product info and be difficult to peel off.
“We buy, wash and eat fruit. So, the wash step was the next thing the label should help with.”
“The best thing is the labels help make the fruit cleaner. And, there’s no label to peel off and throw away unless you choose to peel the label off and throw it away.”

PAPER WINE BOTTLE


The company (GreenBottle) said that it is currently in talks with supermarkets and wine producers to make it available to the public as early as next year.


GreenBottle said it developed the “environmentally-friendly” packaging to save conscientious customers a trip to the bottle bank.




The bottle works by combining a paper outer with a thin plastic lining to keep the wine fresh, and was the brainchild of inventor Martin Myerscough following a chance conversation with a waste tip supervisor worked about the growing problem of plastic bottle waste.





Paper milk bottle


According to the Woodbridge company, the paper wine bottle is based on its paper milk bottle, launched earlier this year in Asda stores.
GreenBottle claims that consumer reaction to its milk bottle has been a success. It is currently celebrating its 100,000th sale since its launch earlier this year.


Landfill


According to the firm, each day, more than 15m plastic bottles are used in the UK and the vast majority of these, are ultimately destined for landfill, where, because they do not decompose, they will remain for up to 500 years.


Paper vs. plastics


Myerscough said: “The best thing about GreenBottle is that consumers just ‘get it’. We’ve found that if you offer them the choice of a paper bottle or a plastic one they’ll chose paper every time.
“Choosing milk in GreenBottles enables consumers to ‘do their bit’ for the environment every day – and our sales show that ever-greater numbers of consumers are doing this.
“We’re hopeful that the success we’ve had with GreenBottle in milk can be repeated with wine. It would mean an end to those morning-after trips to the bottle bank.
“All you would need to do is rip out the plastic lining and put the paper outer-casing in the bin or on the compost heap.”


PAPER MADE FROM POOP!





POOPOOPAPER products are natural, recycled and odorless (!) paper products made from poop from a variety of different fiber-eating vegetarian animals such as elephants, cows, horses, moose, pandas, and donkeys. 
These fiber-eating animals eat lots of grass and vegetation everyday and they poop almost as much. Since the digestive systems of these specific animals don’t really break down the vegetation all that well, their poop has plenty of fiber even after their meal is consumed. Knowing that fibers are the base material used in making pulp for paper production (albeit tree fibers typically).
POOPOOPAPER PRODUCTS ARE PLAYFULLY OUTRAGEOUS WITH A SERIOUS UNDERLYING MESSAGE OF SUSTAINABILITY!

UK's LIGHTEST WATER BOTTLE


The new PET bottles, for the Buxton Natural Mineral Water and Nestlé Pure Life brands, have a shorter neck and an ergonomic shape and use, according to Nestlé, an average of 25% less material than their predecessors.


It is also launching a new sports cap with a tamper evident seal that stays within the lid when it is opened.

Nestlé’s new factory in Buxton is also designed to reduce supply chain environmental impacts. It combines the bottling facility with warehousing and, according to the company, will house new lines that will reduce energy usage.




The factory is due to open in spring 2012. It will produce Buxton Natural Mineral Water in 25cl, 50cl, 75cl and 1l formats as well as 33cl and 50cl formats for Nestlé Pure Life.




Nestlé has not disclosed the exact weights of the bottles or the identity of the pre-form producer.




Nestlé Waters UK country manager Paolo Sangiorgi said: “This significant investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to our portfolio of bottled water and to ensuring the category remains relevant and exciting for our customers and consumers.”

ECOVER UNVEILS NEW PACKAGING MADE FROM SUGARCANE


The company said that all of its packaging will now be made from recyclable plastic made from sugarcane. It claims that Ecover is the first cleaning brand in the UK to use it.





Ecover brand manager Emma Bennetts said: “We wanted to give our packaging a brighter, more eye-catching new look and think it really captures the essence of the Ecover brand.


“Our commitment to using Plant-astic across the whole range goes hand-in-hand with the new packaging, meaning our makeover is more than skin deep, and we can remain true to our values, naturally.”



 Resource: Packaging News Magazine

Nicole - An alternative to traditional paper

Flextrus PaperLite

PaperLite®

A unique thermoformable paper material with strong consumer appeal

Flextrus PaperLite® is a paper-based packaging material that puts a pack with the attractive look & feel of paper in the hands of consumers. Its real natural paper look and feel gives you the opportunity to differentiate your products and attract consumers who prefer fibre-based packaging. Flextrus PaperLite® is based on Billerud FibreForm®. The material runs well on standard packaging lines.
Like all Flextrus food packaging, Flextrus PaperLite® is approved for food contact. Flextrus is ready to guide you in delivering the right product to cover your specific demands.

Quick overview of Flextrus PaperLite®

  • FSC certified thermoformable base web with real natural paper
  • Flextrus PaperLite® is based on sustainable, renewable paper from FSC-certified sustainably managed forests
  • Enables reduction of plastics in packaging – a true environmental benefit
  • Reduces packaging weight compared to standard polymer-based materials, which offers environmental benefits and reduces packaging fees
  • Range of sealing layers combines with easy-opening options for consumer convenience
  • Designed specifically for shallow trays
  • Excellent capabilities on existing Form Fill & Seal machines with as superior formability and easy cutting
  • Suits high quality flexo printing and advanced graphic reproductions for striking visuals
  • Contains no iso-cyanates or solvents

Monday, November 28, 2011

Nicole - Supermarket Psychology



This video gives an insight into how customers view the shelves and make decisions based on the packaging and the information it contains.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Nicole - CAT Visit

The Centre for Alternative Technology was an interesting insight into the way we could live in order to reduce our impact on the world.


The new building in particular was quite beautiful, big rooms, high ceilings, south facing windows, remote control sky lights, solar panels - all very desirable things in the housing market!


Jo's talk and tour of the centre was interesting as it enlightened us to things that we wouldn't have otherwise spotted/known, such as the longevity of the toilet block roof.


glasses recycled from bottles


a seat made from recycled plastic


a compostable sack




The remote control sky-light


The theatre


The mud wall of the theatre.  The hole is where the steel support was removed after construction


Mud and wood - the majority of the building materials used




a solar panelled roof


insulating materials




















Very wordy information board


small stand alone solar panel


an information board obscured by a tree


an interactive information board  - or at least it would have been if it had worked!


Another interactive board - more images and less words would have got the message over much quicker

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Nicole - An interesting second use

Reusing builders' bags as vegetable beds

A builders bag makes a great growing container. When our neighbours had a loft conversion last year we rescued a builders bag with about 15cm of sand remaining in the bottom from the skip. We topped this up with the contents of the compost bin and a couple of spent grow bags previously used to grow squashes in. The sides are folded down so it’s just under 40cm deep.

Last year we grew a crop of potatoes in it. This year we have the most fantastic crop of cut and come again salad leaves. It’s right outside our front door and much more convenient for salad picking than a 15 minute round trip to the allotment.

What a great idea!