industry trends
award-winning innovation
Our client, Lighting Science Group had quite an impressive week at this year’s LIGHTFAIR International conference, taking home the top LIGHTFAIR International 2012 Judge’s Citation Award for their Definity Motion Activated PAR 30 LED.
LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) is the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. Over the years, LFI has established a record of joining the top Architecture, Design, Engineering and Lighting professionals with exhibitors from around the world.
If Lighting Science Group’s award-winning PAR 30 were a car, it would have controls for everything and could probably parallel park itself. This amazing LED light is 80% more efficient than the 65-watt halogen lamp it replaces. It integrates both motion and ambient light sensing directly into the lamp, eliminating the need for separate controls. The light also has user configuration options built directly into the bulb that include time delay, dimming range, and motion and distance sensitivity. Like we said, controls for everything.
The conference also held the 2012 Next Generation Luminaires competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Association of Lighting Designers. Lighting Science Group took home this award as well for their 4 inch 9.5-watt Glimpse LED downlight.
Lighting Science Group Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth expressed his excitement about receiving the awards and getting these innovative products in the hands of their customers.
“While other companies are struggling to develop performance LED lighting products, we are bringing to market some of the most advanced and exciting lighting products in the world. Demonstrating our speed to market, most of these new innovations that we are showing at LIGHTFAIR will be in the market by the end of this year or beginning of next year.”
We at Foerstel are honored for the opportunity to work with such distinguished leaders of the LED industry and wish them all the best in their continued innovation of environmentally responsible lighting products. Congratulations!
trending
I had the opportunity to attend the National Restaurant Association (NRA) food show for the first time this year and it was a little slice of heaven for a foodie like myself. One of the things I enjoy about shows like this is often they are a sneak peek into upcoming trends.
The popularity of the food truck seems to still be full-steam-ahead as there were many booths dedicated to mobile gastronomy. The gleaming steel surfaces beckoned so convincingly, I had to admit I caught myself daydreaming about all the delicious food that could possibly pass over those stainless counters.
Passing from new trend to more of a “I’m-here-to-stay” kind of status is the gluten-free movement. When this first came out, I fully expected it to go the way of low carb but with several of my friends being diagnosed as gluten intolerant and another handful opting for a gluten-light lifestyle, producers are finding a big market that is welcoming their products with open arms and hearty appetites.
The third trend that I saw coming into full blossom was the biodegradable/compostable cups, flatware, plates, and to-go container industry. I’m thrilled that so many companies are finally going down this path… my only question is what the heck took you so long? The products are durable, attractive and I can’t wait to see them more widely used!
What other trend did I see? Hopefully one where I get to return to the NRA show again and again!
the power of color
For more than a decade, global color authority Pantone has awarded one of their own hues as the Color of the Year. Over the past 12 years the prominence of each year’s color has grown to influence design, fashion, cosmetics and beyond.
A few short months ago, Pantone announced Tangerine Tango, a ’spirited reddish orange’ reminiscent of sunsets as the Color of the Year for 2012.
‘Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,’ says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Eisman went on to say, ‘Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, for a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.’
The announcement’s effect was visible almost overnight, as websites such as In Style, HGTV and others quickly embraced what was sure to be one of the most prominent fashion trends in the months that followed. Before we knew what hit us, Tangerine Tango was showing up on logos, purses, interior accents and shades of lipstick.
Adding to the heated popularity of this bright color, a feature in Pantone’s 2012 Color Spring Report has caused Tangerine Tango to start popping up in spring collections from notable designers such as Tommy Hilfiger and Nanette Lepore. Celebrating the color this spring, many fashion experts have predicted the color’s popularity will carry over and be apparent in Fall fashion trends as well.
An evolving symbol of boldness, Pantone’s Color of the Year made a colorful splash beyond fashion and design. Last month, cosmetic giant Sephora launched its inaugural collaboration with Pantone. The first release from the newly-formed partnership honored the 2012 color of the year with a limited-edition collection of Tangerine-colored blushes, polishes and glosses.
Gilbert Soliz, a lead artist for Sephora described the collection, saying, ‘The products allow for on-trend, uninhibited expression, while being exceptionally wearable,’.
Throughout Pantone’s growing role in establishing new fashion trends, its presence in the design industry remains omniscient. The color of the year quickly made its way into the hearts of many top design firms who began incorporating the bold color into their work.Tangerine Tango’s influence can even be seen in our Italian sister agency, Matitegiovanotte’s newly crafted logo and website.
Not long after their Color of the Year announcement, Pantone released 336 new colors to its PLUS Series. The new collection bolstered Pantone’s total number of colors to a whopping 1,677. Carefully taking note of areas between colors where splashes of subtle tones could be created, Pantone developed many hues both lighter and darker to their already existing shades.
the more you know…the more you grow
It’s no secret that we here at Foerstel have a passion for all things organic. As a design firm dedicated to sustainable practices for over two decades, we provide food companies with beautiful and effective packaging that complies with organic food industry standards. As such, we are honored to be asked to partner with CCOF and OES for a second consecutive year.
Founded in 1973, the California Certified Organic Farmers Association (CCOF) was one of the first organizations to perform organic certification in North America. In addition to being a full-service organic certification and trade association, the CCOF has been a leading provider of information, resources and advocacy for organic food and agriculture for more than 30 years.
With their latest Organic Labeling webinar around the corner, CCOF is preparing to give insight into the most common mistakes companies make with their organic labels. Because of our knowledge, experience and commitment to the industry, we were asked to provide a variety of packaging images, tailored specifically to enhance their presentation. This educational event will use our real-world examples as a resource in defining a step-by-step process for developing labels that comply with the USDA National Organic Program.
If you are planning to update your organic label or create a new product line, you won’t want to miss this informative event.
Webinar Dates:
Wednesday, May 9, 1:00-2:30 p.m. PST
Wednesday, May 16, 9:00-1:00 a.m. PST
For more information and to register, click here
set your site on artful sustainability
We like art (obviously) and sustainability is near and dear to our hearts, so when we found this web site that combines the two, we were instantly engrossed.
“Sustainability” is one of those words that the more that it is used, the more confusing and undefined it becomes. The Lexicon of Sustainability had undertaken the deconstruction of this vocabulary and has made the overworked idea fresh and approachable again with captivating photos and playful approach.
Pop on by the web site to learn about the edible school yard project pioneered by Alice Waters fifteen years ago or the advantages of biodiversity over monoculture farming. The format–coined as information art–is addictive and you’ll be a sustainability savant in no time!
farm bill cuts to organic agriculture
The deficit-reduction procedures adopted as part of the debt ceiling deal that became law in August 2011 have had a great impact on federally funded programs. We are in a budget-cutting environment, like it or not. The House and Senate Agriculture committees are working on cutting Farm Bill spending by $23 billion over the next 10 years.
Despite the growth of the organic food industry in the last decade, the federal budget for organic farming, research, and conservation is very small, and anticipated budget cuts will have an impact on the organic food industry.
The voice of the organic and sustainable community is making itself heard in Washington, with independent farmers and organizations submitting their budget recommendations to Congress. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, one such group, provides an informative look at budget cuts and their effects. They are basically asking for restored funding to programs that spur jobs, innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Read more about the Farm Bill.
what is the future of organic farming ?
The upcoming 2012 Farm Bill budget cuts are threatening the growth of organic farming and the independent small-scale organic farmer is feeling the heat. Currently the Farm Bill funds the National Organic Program which provides for organic product standards, data collection, crop insurance, organic certification, organic research and assistance for farmers transitioning to organic. We are left wondering how the budget cuts will affect the future of organic agriculture.
A new report by the Organic Farming Research Foundation cites the overwhelming economic benefits of organic farming over those of conventional farming. Maureen Wilmot, executive director of the nonprofit organization, says the report is a long-anticipated review of the American scientific literature concerning organic farming in the United States. Studies compiled in the report show that the organic industry has grown from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $29 billion in 2010. Speaking to the strength of the organic food movement is the fact that federal assistance has only been in place for the last four of those 13 years.
Some interest groups are concerned that budget cuts will endanger the organic food supply and that organic food prices will increase. Whatever the outcome of the Farm Bill, and despite the impact that may be felt, we must remember that there is an organic revolution under way. Our world has seen the effects of processed foods and industrial farming on our health and our environment, and we are not willing to let those negative impacts continue.
Ensure the continuing strength of the organic revolution by getting involved. Sustainable agriculture needs your support. Educate yourself, and learn more about the Farm Bill budget cuts to organic agriculture. Make your voice heard, and support organic farming.
what is the farm bill?
This broad and complex piece of legislation comes up for renewal every five years and is due to expire September 2012. The Farm Bill is a nickname for the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act and covers much more than the name implies. It allocates federal funds for conventional, organic, and industrial farming, land conservation, renewable energy, rural economic development, and nutritional assistance programs.
It is responsible for large-scale commodity-farming subsidies and crop insurance, but also includes programs that affect small-scale, sustainable farmers and organic research. The majority of the bill funds the $70 billion-a-year food stamp program, with very little allotted for organic agriculture.
The Farm Bill is not easy to understand given the various interest groups with budgets at stake, the intricacies of politics, and the complex nature of the bill. In their download, ” Farm Bill 101, “ American Farmland Trust outlines the issues covered in the bill, along with how the legislation impacts farmers of all sizes.
Learn more about the Farm Bill budget cuts and how they will affect the future of organic farming.
The Process of Improving Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable package design is certain to be a major buzz this week at Expo West. Improving the environmental friendliness of packaging is a hot topic for all professionals associated with the food and beverage industries.
As today’s consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) move closer to sustainability or “green” packaging, there are many factors that drive decisions, from petroleum use and government policies to sourcing raw materials, through the life cycle of the product, and all are proving to be challenging and complex.
If you missed the special report about sustainable packaging, published earlier this year by Anne Marie Mohan, editor of Greener Package, here is a recap highlighting the fundamental areas to consider before you make incremental changes to improve your packaging sustainability and scorecard.
Mohan suggests that by making small but significant changes to various components of your packaging, you can reduce environmental impact and at the same time achieve cost savings for manufacturers and consumers alike.
In Mohan’s report, she lists 10 specific areas to consider for improved packaging sustainability:
- Use a life-cycle approach to package design – Utilizing the LCA software tools available will help packaging designers evaluate and make better-informed material decisions.
- Evaluate each component of your package – Using less material without compromising the integrity of the product can help save precious natural resources. New technology is offering more options and better packaging components. As package-to-product ratio improves, so too will its carbon footprint.
- Consider new alternatives for distribution – Waste at the retailer level can be minimized if packagers utilize machinery and new technologies that require fewer materials to create multi-packs, bundles, and pallets.
- Look for opportunities to make your packaging reusable – Searching for ways to repurpose a package can reduce water, energy, and diesel consumption – all contributing to the environmental impact.
- Consider changes in your product – Rethinking product formulations that allow for smaller, more sustainable packaging can reduce the resources needed from the factory to retail shelf. Smaller packaging leads to less waste in our landfills, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions from transporting shipments.
- Whenever possible, design for recyclability – Consider new technologies such as molded-pulp packaging that allows formerly non-recycled products to be recycled. Making products easy for consumers to disassemble and recycle benefits everyone.
- Employ packaging strategies that encourage product consumption – Making packaging that helps the consumer use the majority of the product in the container reduces the amount of food wasted each year.
- Know where your packaging materials come from – With consumer demand for transparency on the rise, using non-genetically modified crops is a core value of sustainability. Using responsibly sourced packaging materials contributes to brand authenticity and loyalty, and reduces the risk for criticism.
- Evaluate your distribution system for space-saving opportunities – Wasted space in packaging results in excess materials, transport, handling, and storage. Maximizing load density minimizes environmental impact.
- Consider materials made from renewable feedstock – This is a rapidly growing area. From bioplastics made from corn or sugarcane, to packaging constructed from mushroom roots, new packaging materials and technology are emerging constantly. New technologies that promise to make packaging “disappear” are an alluring idea, but some scientific experts charge that the methodology and environmental safety factors may not live up to their claims.
While manufacturers desire high sustainability scores on their packaging, generally speaking it is not something that can be measured easily. Sustainability is not an object, or state of being, but rather a process. We can start that process with incremental change and by making better decisions that have the least impact on our environment.
Read Mohan’s full report at greenerpackage.com.
we’ve only just begun
Remember The Carpenters’ lovesick melody “We’ve Only Just Begun?”
So many roads to choose
We’ll start out walkin’ and learn to run
And yes, we’ve just begun
Little did the pop-duo know that they might just as well have been talking about sustainable packaging!
Sustainable packaging has traveled many a road in the past several years, and at times has appeared to be going in too many different directions, and nowhere in particular. It started out walking, but quickly learned to run. Now it has picked up speed and is running the race of a lifetime.
the roads chosen
The Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry was challenged several years ago with reducing excessive packaging waste and started the ball rolling with the often-heard mantra “Reduce, reuse, recycle.” Programs that reuse packaging materials to make other products started popping up. Product owners started looking for recyclable materials for their packages, and worked to educate and compel consumers to recycle. Package size and reduction of packaging materials were top of mind and brought the added benefit of savings in material and transport costs to companies. The entire life cycle of a package had to be taken into account, and this required educating product owners, distributors, the supply chain, and consumers.
Large corporations, including Walmart, Coca-Cola, DuPont, Kellogg’s have been involved in this movement, which has allowed the materials manufacturers more financial support and opportunities for research and development, and they continue to develop new materials that use fewer resources, renewable resources, or materials that can be recycled, recovered or reused.
what’s in store for 2012
COLLABORATION BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS – National and global organizations have been created in response to sustainable packaging needs; the collaboration among with these organizations to standardize language and metrics, and to provide numerous resources to the industry, is encouraging. That collaboration will only grow stronger in 2012 and beyond.
COMMON METRICS AND INDICATORS FOR ANALYZING PACKAGING SUSTAINABILITY – Released in 2011, the Global Protocol on Packaging Sustainability (GPPS) should help with this issue as businesses become aware of it and begin implementation.
WASTE RECOVERY – New packaging recovery analysis from GreenBlue introduced January 5, 2012, outlines practices to improve waste recovery in the United States.
NO PACKAGING STORES – Buying in bulk to avoid unneeded packaging has been around for some time, but we will see many more stores adopting this practice, in addition to seeing the new zero-packaging or no-packaging stores that are becoming popular.
WASTE TO ENERGY – We will see more taking place in 2012 with a new style of landfill being built to manage waste and turn it into energy.
We have only touched the surface of what’s in store for 2012. There are great strides being made, and sustainable packaging is quickly becoming an integral part of business and our lives. This year promises even more progress because, as Richard and Karen said…we’ve only just begun!
