Both the recycling student and I were tasked with selecting a packaging item for a redesign project, and together, we chose to work on revamping squeeze pouches. These pouches have a notorious reputation for their negative impact on recycling and, consequently, the environment. We were well aware of their popularity, driven by several factors such as their convenient resealing feature that prevents spills and their appeal to babies, often the target audience, due to their stimulating nature. However, we've also observed a growing trend of adults using them to hold yogurt and protein drinks. Our shared objective was to redesign this container while retaining its benefits, with a strong emphasis on making it easily recyclable, thus eliminating the need for it to be composed of sometimes up to five different materials.
Our collaborative solution involved drawing inspiration from cardboard ice cream lollies that can be pushed up and out using a plunger-like mechanism, combined with a screw-on top to create a pump-like feature. This design retained the fun and resealable aspects of the original squeeze pouch. Importantly, we aimed to make the entire container from a single type of plastic. To explore the feasibility of this idea, we reached out to a manufacturer in China and provided them with CAD models and renders. After a thorough review, the manufacturer assured us that it was indeed possible to produce this design with an all-plastic construction, including the seal.
