Frustration-Free Packaging – Changing the Unboxing Experience

For the financial year ending March 2023, the UK alone saw 3.2 billion parcels delivered to the doorstep of domestic properties. Each of them came in some form of packaging, that is roughly 240,000 tonnes of packaging! We have all been recipients of these parcels, so I guess we don’t need to dwell too much on the unpacking experience. However, just cast your mind back to that parcel where every item was wrapped in a bit of paper, a bit of plastic bubble wrap and then some tape round if that you couldn’t separate from the paper. Many councils operate a recycling system whereby plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metal have to be separated. Many parcels are still impossible to separate and end up in the general waste bins. That is where Frustration-Free Packaging comes in to its own – it is a major shift in the way we think about the way our goods are packed. 

So, what is Frustration-Free Packaging and why is it relevant? 

Frustration-Free Packaging (or FFP) is designed to be easy to open, recyclable and free from unnecessary materials such as plastics, wire ties and excessive voidfill. Everything about the design is for simplicity. Simple to open and simple to recycle. If your business is interested in improving customer experience, making our planet more sustainable and improving efficiencies then FFP is for you. 

Why does FFP improve my customer experience? 

Never forget that when the parcel gets handed over to the customer (or left in the porch!), that parcel is your last and most memorable touchpoint from your business. If the parcel is difficult to open, damaged or challenging to recycle that is how your company will be remembered. Believe it or not, people talk! They will tell their friends, post on social media and sometimes it hits the press. The simplicity of FFP whilst providing adequate protection makes the experience frictionless. After all, what they really want is what is inside the packaging! 

FFP is Environmentally Sustainable 

Technology has advanced so much in all areas, but one area that gets particular focus is packaging. Billions of pounds every year are being pumped into the innovation of packaging. The main focus of this is to reduce packaging by removing unnecessary plastics and other materials and making the outer packaging a perfect fit. This is where FFP has come in as reduction in frustration means the reduction in packaging, and the reduction in packaging means less waste and less raw materials needed. Most packages can be reduced to just one or two materials, making the recycling process easier which means that is does actually get recycled rather than dumped in the general waste bin! 

Will FFP increase my cost? 

Largely speaking, FFP will reduce your cost as normally the package will be using less packaging. With the drive to make the parcels the “right size” this can also reduce the size and weight of the parcel therefore saving on your courier costs. Watch out for any set up costs there may be with your new FFP – cardboard can often come with stereo (if printed) or forme (if a diecut carton is required) costs. Make sure also your packing stations are properly kitted our to compliment your new packaging requirements to ensure packing speeds are maintained or improved. 

What will this do to my brand? 

The feeling your have when opening a package sticks in your brain and is stored as a link to the brand. Unfortunately for brand owners, this can be either positive or negative! We can influence this by carefully considering the unboxing experience. A happy, warm or exciting experience will drive brand loyalty and shore up your future revenue streams. 

So how do I implement FFP?