One of the biggest challenges in my role is to help regulatory production and design work better together to produce packaging that's more appealing to consumers. The challenge is to get across to business organisations that people in regulatory are not there to just say 'no', but rather, 'have you thought about doing it this way?'
We have many opportunities. The continually evolving world of packaging production and legislation gives the regulatory team greater opportunities to assist with both the development and presentation of packaging and the materials that they contain. This ever-changing field of legislation allows a fast-responding team to stay one step ahead of the competition.
In 10 years' time packaging is going to become greener. We're going to be seeing a lot more recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging as the legislation and growing consumer concern demands packaging with less of an impact on the environment.
My favourite piece of packaging has to be the self-heating Rocket Fuel Hot Cup for coffee as I like its combined functions [The self-heating cup works by generating a small thermal reaction between the inner and outer packaging. Activation is triggered by clicking the base of the cup and shaking the can a few times]. Fullers Beer is also a favourite – bottles of beer have made a great comeback on the supermarket shelves. Glass is a very good recyclable material.
