In the next decade, the application of LED bulbs will becomeincreasingly widespread due to their increased energy efficiency and theabsence of toxic metals in their construction. Although the price for an~800-lumen LED bulb is quite expensive when compared to an incandescent or CFLbulb, the energy savings over the lifetime of the bulb are significant. At 11¢per kWh, a 12.5-watt, 800-lumen LED bulb uses $37.50 of electricity over its25,000-hour life. This is a $142.50 savings when compared to the $180 requiredto run a 60-watt, 860-lumen incandescent bulb over the same period. While LEDbulbs clearly have many advantages, their packaging presents numerous problemsincluding excessive use of plastic clamshell and complicated typographicalinformation. Both of these issues are highly problematic, as they areinconsistent with the bulb’s ultimate goals of conserving energy and promotingsustainability.
The first problem with the packaging is that it is made out ofplastics, which are primarily manufactured from oil and natural gas, which areboth non-renewable resources. Additionally, nearly all of the molecules thatplastic factories have produced for decades are still with us and will remainpresent for centuries. Plastics litter the landscape and the oceans; they breakinto microscopic particles and enter the food chain. To reduce materials andwaste during production, the assembly of this packaging design requires no glueand is constructed from 100% post consumer recycled paper that is manufacturedcarbon neutral. Also, this design promotes a system where consumers can easilysend their incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs to a recycling facility asthe package also serves as a prepaid return-shipping container. To increaseutility while maintaining structural rigidity, the inside of the box holds aninnovative paper design. This design can quickly transform to fit any bulbplaced back inside of it, while protecting it from being crushed duringtransport.
In addition to new regulations regarding bulb packaging, starting inmid-2011, the Federal Trade Commission announced that new laws regarding thelabeling of light bulb packaging would commence. The new labeling requirementswill promote consumer education by clearly displaying information that willhelp them select the most efficient bulbs that best suits their lighting needs.The label on the front of the package will emphasize the bulbs’ brightness asmeasured in lumens, as watts are a measurement of energy use, not brightness.Currently, reliance on watt measurements alone has made it difficult forconsumers to compare traditional incandescent bulbs to more efficient bulbs,such as compact fluorescents. A compact fluorescent bulb may be able to producethe same amount of brightness as a traditional incandescent bulb, while usingsignificantly less energy, or watts. Finally, new labeling will also displaythe estimated yearly energy cost for the respective bulb. These changes ininformation presentation will be key drivers in helping consumers make educatedpurchasing decisions as they transition to more energy-efficient types of bulbswhile contributing to the overall increase in the adoption and promotion ofsustainability.
My concentration lies in the intricacies of the
packaging. As seen in current packaging design, the graphical aspects overpower
the technical construction of the box, and this is a flaw. A thoroughly
researched and frequently revised foundation is essential when perfecting
something as delicate and complex, as a glue-free, sustainable box. While
designing the package for the LED bulb required a deep knowledge and
investigation of paper, folds, and graphical language, the prospect of
developing a package capable of recycling dead bulbs, and still retaining its
beautiful object-like qualities was exhilarating. As a result, I was able to
develop a springy, protective, interior core made only of folded paper. This
interior piece cushions the new or old bulb so that it remains in place and can
handle disturbances during transport. The resulting combination of a durable
outer shell and a flexible inner body creates a perfectly balanced box.
The use of plastic in packaging is no longer
advantageous to the manufacturer and is most often disposed of improperly. As
more people become knowledgeable about sustainability it was also important to
investigate the mindset of consumers and how their behavior and attitudes
influence their aspirations in terms of footprint on global sustainability. By
producing the re-usable, recyclable packages, the future consumer will be more
likely to recycle or consider the implications of recycling their bulbs and
packages simultaneously, creating minimal amounts of waste.
Since this package is manufactured carbon neutral, from
100% post consumer recycled paper and without the use of any glue, it’s an
extremely sustainable solution for packaging items. The design is meant to
ultimately create a movement towards glue-free, plastic-less, globally
sustainable packaging. With the appropriate graphic labels, focusing on lumens
as opposed to watts and emphasizing annual economic savings for the consumer,
the bulbs should be steadily purchased. With the bulb purchase and subsequent
removal of its package for use, consumer interest in the unique packaging will
be stimulated. The consumer will be encouraged to recycle their old bulbs using
the highly flexible paper interior. The distinctive packaging and graphic label
contrasts greatly from every light bulb package on the market today, and
therefore would promote using glue-free packaging for all companies. In short,
the sustainable nature of my packaging should ultimately create competition in
the packaging world, pressing a green movement in other major companies who
continue to use wasteful products in the production of their packaging.
Modern technology has been a huge advantage for me in
my design process. For this project, I used Adobe Illustrator to construct
paper-cutting patterns that I could easily send to my university’s precision
laser cutter. With this advanced technology at my disposal, I could easily
design all the paper-folding patterns I imagined and perform a wide variety of
paper studies. The advancement in software has allowed me to rapidly prototype
every idea that comes to mind.
For several months, I explored
the potential of various papers. I experimented and tested for durability,
flexibility, and memory. I compared and organized several papers until I had
retained enough knowledge to match the appropriate papers with my vision for
the packaging graphics. From here, I studied historical packaging techniques
and paper engineering. My main historical reference is Josef Albers, and the
design movement he was a part of at Bauhaus. During my private research, I
studied under Matt Shlian, a current University of Michigan professor and
internationally known paper engineer. From here, I began production and created
countless iterations of my design with curiosity as my driving force. I had a
desire to test every possibility and from that curiosity, grew a specific set
of challenges. How few tabs are required to bind the paper together? How much
force can one type of paper sustain over another? Which direction of forces
would be most threatening to the bulb and how can it account for those forces?
Often by answering my own questions, my curiosity only expanded. Not only does
it drive me as I produce iterations, but it compels me to do further research.
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