The Challenge
The outdoor and survival food industry has long relied on heavy, plastic-based packaging designed for extreme shelf life, often 20 to 30 years. While effective for long-term storage, these formats are increasingly misaligned with how modern consumers use backcountry meals.
The client set out to rethink this model, aiming to create packaging designed for real-world adventures, not decades-long shelf storage, while significantly reducing environmental impact.
The Solution
A new packaging system was developed using fully bio-based material derived from tree pulp, eliminating plastic entirely while maintaining durability suitable for backcountry use.
Instead of traditional single-serve pouches, packaging was designed in two- and four-serving formats, dramatically reducing material usage while still meeting functional performance requirements for outdoor conditions.
The Result
● Eliminated plastic from meal packaging
● Reduced packaging material usage by up to 75% compared to traditional single-serve pouches
● Delivered packaging aligned with modern sustainability and performance expectations
The innovation contributed to the brand being recognized as a nominee for the Outdoor Industry Association Innovation Award, validating the approach within the broader outdoor industry.
Why It Mattered
By shifting the focus from extreme shelf life to real-world use, the client created packaging that better reflects how today’s outdoor consumers adventure- lighter, more efficient, and more environmentally responsible.
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