New Trend Hunter “Packaging Innovation” Report Emphasizes Sustainable Design

October 15, 2021 | TrendHunter.com’s latest free report for Toy Association members looks at the newest developments across package design.

“Packaging, especially when seen in stores and on shelves, can often be a consumer’s first impression of a product, and this report highlights how brands are utilizing packaging to better engage consumers through technology, storytelling, and other immersive components,” said Anne McConnell, senior director of market research & data strategy at The Toy Association. “We hope this report inspires our members as they search for new ways to engage their own audiences.”

The “Packaging Innovation” report features the following key consumer insights:

• Eco Deliveries – Some emerging brands in the e-commerce space are aiming to reduce their impact by prioritizing eco-friendly packaging solutions. This includes services like EcoCart, which offers an application programming interface (API) for shippers and a Google Chrome browser extension for consumers that calculates the carbon footprint of a delivery and gives customers the chance to purchase its carbon offsets (adding typically less than $1 to an order). The funds are then invested into eco-conscious projects.


• Package Gaming – Brands are creating more engaging product experiences for consumers by adding gamified features to their product packaging. Items in this space include video games attached to candy packaging via QR codes such as Trolli Gummy Worms’ Deliciously Dark Escape Game or Pepsi’s use of limited-edition QR codes that unlocked digital versions of famous soccer players who compete in a virtual game of "keepie uppie.”


• Sugarcane Pack – Brands are turning to sugarcane as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic packaging. Brave Robot Ice Cream’s FSC-certified sugarcane paper containers disclose their carbon footprint on the lid, while L'Oréal is working with carbon recycling biotech company LanzaTech and fuel company Total to produce sustainable shampoo bottles derived from sugarcane.

The report also called out specific examples of companies that have encouraged consumers to use packaging more sustainably. One such example is Samsung’s Small World play-inspired cardboard packaging. In celebration of World Environment Day, the company encouraged consumers to “reimagine, recreate, and restore” by transforming its cardboard packaging into artful, play-inspiring creations.

This report is the latest in a series from Trend Hunter offering in-depth perspectives and trends in various areas related to the toy industry and youth markets to help spark unique ideas. For additional relevant trends, toy companies can click on the report’s consumer insights examples, scroll down, and click the images for further information.

TrendHunter.com has accumulated nearly 3 billion views from more than 100 million visitors. The data research company helps clients “Dive Deeper,” “Work Smarter,” and “Save Effort” in order to increase the overall success of their companies and brands.