Mum’s the Word When it Comes to Biodegradable

On a recent trip to Whole Foods, something caught our eye that was so incredibly simple, so obvious, that it made us wonder why it hasn’t always been this way: A biodegradable flowerpot. Instead of buying flowers in the standard plastic pot which you inevitably dispose of after transplanting the plant into your garden, this eco-friendly, unbelievably easy solution literally embodies the concept of sustainable design, the pot returns to soil itself. No mess, no fuss. Just dig a hole, and set it in. Even the tag is biodegradable making doing good practically effortless. If you want to keep these on your stoop, that’s fine, too. In most cases, the pot will outlast the flowers. Once you’re done, simply put whole thing into your compost bin. Why isn’t everything designed this way? When it comes to offering environmentally- and socially-conscious products to consumers, Whole Foods leads the way. Their food courts boast take-out containers made from sugar cane, making them entirely compostable and bio-degradable, despite great challenges. The majority of their food products are eco-conscious, and they are giving more than just a nod to products which are fair-trade compliant, and sustainably packaged. As a designer of packaging, I found this packaging inspiring. Instead of ending up in the trash, it ends up as part of the product. As much as I enjoy seeing slick and sexy packaging, I enjoy humble and elegant ones, too. Now about the design of label, maybe I should stay mum on this topic…