Converters, Packagers (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 )
When all other things are equal, cardboard is a safer packaging material compared to plastic. Psychological Health Buyers are keenly aware of the increased risk level from handling possibly infected products and product packag- ing. Occurrences of anxiety symptoms in 2020 have ap- proximately tripled compared to those reported during the same time period in 2019. Hygiene and physical and
Fear of contamination has been lowered – but not erad- icated – by the CDC’s reassurances that, “transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented,” or that touching a surface with viral particles on it “…is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” As a result, many people are disinfecting or quarantining packages before bringing them into their homes. Packaging design must adapt to meet both the physical need and psychological desire for safer, more hygienic packaging. Physical Health There are a number of ways to prioritize health in pack- aging design. Keep in mind the importance of protect- ing products from possible viral exposure. Among other things, avoid product packaging with open cut-outs that would impact the integrity and hygiene of the products. In addition to providing additional packaging to protect prod- ucts, converters can also make strategic choices about the packaging materials themselves. The National Institutes of Health study that has become the primary guideline for how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive on various surfaces states that “the virus can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic.” This information provides packaging de- signers and manufacturers with valuable information on how to keep consumers safer.
mental health are top-of-mind for many. And even after the pandemic, people’s heightened awareness of health con- cerns will not disappear overnight. Reassuring your cus- tomers and that you have their well-being at heart will con- tinue to be a powerful message. Well-designed, thoughtful custom packaging can speak to those anxieties. Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2020
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September 28, 2020
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