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1 - Ecodesign Examples: 1-1 Ecodesign Example at MAKSS Packaging

1. MAKSS Packaging in Uganda underwent an ecodesign workshop to redesign their cardboard packaging boxes. Their existing fruit and flower boxes were outdated and did not meet current transportation requirements. 2. The workshop generated ideas to strengthen and lighten the boxes, such as reducing cardboard thickness and integrating lids. Customer feedback was also gathered. 3. After further support, MAKSS launched redesigned 5kg fruit and flower export boxes. The fruit box saw an 11% weight reduction through a one-piece design. The flower box had a 12% weight cut through a thinner bottom, requiring one less production step. Both boxes saw cost and sustainability benefits.

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29 views4 pages

1 - Ecodesign Examples: 1-1 Ecodesign Example at MAKSS Packaging

1. MAKSS Packaging in Uganda underwent an ecodesign workshop to redesign their cardboard packaging boxes. Their existing fruit and flower boxes were outdated and did not meet current transportation requirements. 2. The workshop generated ideas to strengthen and lighten the boxes, such as reducing cardboard thickness and integrating lids. Customer feedback was also gathered. 3. After further support, MAKSS launched redesigned 5kg fruit and flower export boxes. The fruit box saw an 11% weight reduction through a one-piece design. The flower box had a 12% weight cut through a thinner bottom, requiring one less production step. Both boxes saw cost and sustainability benefits.

Uploaded by

frank niel fajilan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 – Ecodesign examples

1-1 Ecodesign example at MAKSS Packaging

MAKSS is a manufacturer of cardboard packaging materials in Kampala, Uganda, who took


part in the Ecodesign Workshop, held in August 2002 at the UCPC in Kampala (see Figure 1).

Before and during the workshop, two company visits to MAKSS Packaging were made. The
production of packaging boxes for fruits, chicken, fish and flowers was investigated – mainly
focusing on product development aspects.

The design of most of the boxes was rather old – the fruit box, for example, had not
changed for almost 20 years. In the meantime, transportation has changed and the boxes
nowadays have to meet different requirements. The ratio of the packaging to the mass of
the packed contents can be seen as a key indicator. At the moment, the mass of the
corrugated cardboard box amounts to about 10 to 15% of the contents mass, depending on
the packed contents, e.g. fruits or beans, and this ratio is even worse with flowers. Since the
goods are first transported by lorries on rough roads and are later shipped by plane, for
instance to Europe, the corrugated cardboard boxes need to be very robust and lightweight
at the same time. The technology provided by lightweight engineering can help to reduce
the material input for the sake of environmental considerations but also to reduce costs
related to expensive air transportation.

First ideas were generated during the workshop, such as strengthening the boxes with stiff
edges and stiffeners and reducing the thickness of the corrugated cardboard from five layers
to three layers. Other ideas, such as integrating the lid into the box design, aimed also at
reducing the total mass of the box.

Another important aspect was an intensive dialogue with the different customers (e.g. flower
producer) to determine their requirements and adapt the design of the boxes accordingly.
This can reduce costs and the environmental impact at the same time.
Figure 1: Ecodesign Workshop at the UCPC

After the one-week workshop, MAKSS was further supported by the UCPC and, owing to this
support, the following results could be achieved.

MAKSS will launch two redesigned products on the Ugandan market: a 5 kg fruit box and a
flower box for export. Both have been redesigned according to Ecodesign criteria. The
benefits achieved by the redesigned boxes can be summarized as follows:

• Less material used;

• Less waste generated;

• Less costs caused;

• Better product designed.


In the case of the fruit box (Figure 2), the following improvements could be achieved by
applying Ecodesign:
• Improved resource efficiency: weight is reduced by 11%.
• Improved production process: the production of the box involves one production
process less since the new fruit box is a one-piece box. Off-cuts are used for making
pads for other boxes.
• Cost reduction: the box is sold at a cheaper price to the costumer, cargo charges are
lower since it is lighter.
• Functionality and costumer satisfaction: stability and ventilation are excellent. The
easy locking system saves handling time. A one-piece box is easier to handle, less
space is needed for packing. No imbalance in stocks between tops and bottoms can
occur.

Figure 2: Fruit boxes – old and new design (Mwesigye, P., UCPC flyer)

In the case of the flower boxes (Figure 3), the following improvements could be achieved by
applying Ecodesign:
• Improved resource efficiency: weight is reduced by 12%.
• Improved production process: the production of the box involves one production step
less since the bottom is three-ply instead of five-ply. The box is self-locking and does
not require any tape or staples.
• Cost reduction: the box is sold at a cheaper price to the costumer, cargo charges are
lower since it is lighter.
• Functionality and costumer satisfaction: this design provides a higher degree of
ventilation for the flowers, thus the product is better protected, the flowers will arrive
in better condition and consequently have a higher value.
Figure 3: Flower boxes – old and new design (Mwesigye, P., UCPC flyer)

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