Oreo Package Redesign
I used my Photoshop skills to redesign the packaging for one of the most popular cookies in the world, Oreos.
Problem:
The current packaging for Oreos (Standard U.S. package of classic Oreos with outer tear-away cover & interior cookie tray) is almost entirely non-recyclable.
Plastic Waste Stats:
• There's 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world – some 6.3 billion tons of that is trash
• Only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled in 2018 in the US
• Many recycling programs only accept limited plastics (#1 and #2)
• 91.3% of all plastic waste generated in the US was NOT recycled (2018)
• 29.1% of PET bottles and jars, and 29.3% of HDPE natural bottles were recycled in 2018
More plastic waste stats →
Current packaging (US based)
The outer wrapping of the Oreo packaging is made from a multi-laminate flexible film or other plastic. This wrapping is not recyclable.
The interior cookie tray is Polystyrene (identified as Plastic No. 6). According to https://everydayrecycler.com, No. 6 Polystyrene can be recycled, HOWEVER, "It can’t be recycled in your recycling bin, but there are specialist recyclers who will take it." Not all curbside recycling programs will accept it.
Mondelēz International, who owns Oreo (along with 37 other brands like Triscuits, Ritz and Chips Ahoy!), say they are aiming for all their packaging to be recyclable by 2025.
Concept:
I decided to redesign a fully recyclable package. Also one that could be slightly easier to grab a delicious cookie from. The current design (seen above) shows cookies hidden underneath the flap opening. I've had it happen multiple times, it's kind of a hassle to snag one of the cookies towards the front. Ease of use was also on my mind.
I also looked at the overall branding. I personally enjoy minimal design and know packaging is all about trying to catch consumer's eyes. However I feel minimal packaging does just that; given it stands out from the rest of the bright-colored, graphic filled products on the shelf.
***Please keep in mind that I am not a package designer so my concepts are not 100% accurate in terms of any packaging guidelines.
Redesigned Oreo box packaging.
Interior of packaging with traditional 3 rows of cookies. This design highlights the ease of use versus the current design pain point described above.
Interior shot of packaging liner to help minimize movement during transport.
Interior of packaging replacing the No. 6 Polystyrene plastic tray with a biodegradable paperboard molded fiber material.
The top cover of the packaging box with a more simplistic design approach
Display case.
Packaging Materials:
For the exterior box itself, simple cardboard material would be the most logical here if we're talking about recyclability. It would be sturdy enough during transport.
The interior would be the larger difference; using a biodegradable molded fiber paperboard tray (typically seen as drink trays). This material can be molded just like plastics, but is 100% compostable and biodegradable.
**A snag I came across late in the game was the issue of sealed freshness. Majority of food packages use thin film plastics to seal the entire package. These are typically made from virgin plastics and aren't recyclable too.
I've found a couple of companies (NatureFlex and TIPA) that have tackled the plastic packaging issues by offering complete compostable solutions. This would provide an outer layer to fully seal the package, to keep the product's freshness.