Researcher’s Column

As increased household waste separation is required across Dalarna, many households now have additional bins on their properties. This means that more plastic, paper and cardboard must now be managed at home and so packaging may therefore feel even more present in our everyday lives.

The question addressed in the Column by Carl Olsmats is, are all these packages truly necessary?

“At first glance, packaging may appear unnecessary: it incurs a cost, generates waste, and creates inconvenience when we have to deal with empty containers. Yet packaging does not exist for its own sake. Tetra Pak’s founder, Ruben Rausing, once remarked that ‘a package should save more than it costs’.” (translation from the Column)

Packaging is often regarded as a problem but what if it is, in fact, an important part of the solution? Carl reflects on how something as simple as a banana can inspire innovation in the packaging industry. He also discusses how research on packaging can help reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Link to the entire Column on the Falu-Kuriren website (in Swedish)

Person standing on a staircase on campus

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Carl Olsmats
Associate Professor
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