Illustration Annual
Following on from our highly acclaimed Annual, and Photography Annual we are launching a version
just for Illustration
CR Blog
CR's incredible dissolving bag
Graphic Design, Magazine / Newspaper
Posted by Creative Review, 22 October 2009, 10:24 Permalink Comments (83)
Newsstand copies of the November issue of CR come in a revolutionary new bag that simply dissolves in hot water. No waste. No landfill.
Anyone buying their copy of CR on the newsstand this month will find that the issue comes in a transparent bag bearing the words 'This bag dissolves in water'. And it does.
We are the first magazine anywhere to trial a new packaging material called harmless-dissolve which was created in the UK by Cyberpac. Here's what you do:
1, Take the magazine out of the bag
2, Cut off the sealing strip - the glue of the strip is biodegradeable but will not dissolve in water
3, Place the bag in a receptacle filled with hot water (60+ degrees recommended by manufacturer)
The clear plastic dissolves into the water almost immediately
The printed area takes a little longer to break down - here's ours after about a minute
After a couple of minutes, the printed area has broken down sufficiently for it to disintegrate when rubbed between finger and thumb – it's a bit gunky and sticky but washes off straightaway
4, Pour the residue down the drain
We are assured that any residue is perfectly harmless. Apparently you can even drink it - we tried, it tastes horrible, so we wouldn't recommend this.
A quick sluice around with water clears up any remaining residue both in the sink and in the receptacle.
CR is working with Cyberpac on a range of experimental packaging solutions. Subscribers received our September issue in an envelope that could be re-used as a binder for our Monograph series (see here), while in October we gave subscribers one of six static prints of images from the Photography Annual (see here).
Why do a bag at all? We needed to bag this month's issue on the newsstand because it contains a free CMYK colour guide from Heidelberg. Rather than using a traditional polybag, we tried this.
Subscriber issues come in regular, non-dissolvable, packaging this month - next month, though, we have something special for you.
UPDATE
More details from Cyberpac on how it works, also in the comments below: "The hot water is just to show you the biodegradability at speed. You don't need to boil it, just chuck it on the compost heap! We use this to package fish food as it dissolves in the water releasing the bait.
"Harmless-Dissolve is made from a hydro-degradable substrate which is 5 times stronger than normal polythene. It is a readily biodegradable, water soluble polymer which completely biodegrades in a composting environment, in a dishwasher or in a washing machine. It has no harmful residues and will biodegrade into naturally occuring substances - the bugs love it.
"It's non-toxic and is degraded by micro-organisms, moulds and yeasts. These organisms can occur in both artificial environments, such as anaerobic digesters, activated sewage sludge and composts and natural environments such as aquatic systems and soil. The micro-organisms use Harmless-Dissolve as a food source by producing a variety of enzymes that are capable of reacting with it. In the end the bag becomes carbon dioxide, water and biomass." More here
If you'd like to know more about harmless-dissolve, please contact Will Anderson at Cyberpac, willanderson@cyberpac.co.uk
83 Comments
Wow. Nice package
2009-10-22 12:19:27
Won't the magazine get wet?
2009-10-22 12:22:41
Couldn't you buy toys in the 90s which the packaging melted in water?
2009-10-22 12:38:13
How could you do something like this? Have you not read Mutant 59: The Plastic Eaters?
2009-10-22 12:59:38
Dear Sir,
I spotted a solecism or typographical error in this most edifying of articles: "If you'd like to no more about harmless-dissolve"
Just so you KNOW.
Yours, etc.
Dr. Thropplenoggin
2009-10-22 13:07:25
@ Dr Thropplenoggin
Ooops, yes, thanks for that. Changed now
PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 13:10:51
Why not add a perf to the top of the bag so you don't have to bother finding the scissors to cut off the glue strip?
2009-10-22 13:47:53
Would it not be a better option simply not to have a plastic bag at all? As much as it is very creative idea and great that it would reduce waste/landfill. Do magazines really need to be a plastic bag? Would be better put to use on food packaging for instance.
2009-10-22 13:48:55
@Matt
A perf would have added considerably to the cost - if you really can't be bothered find a pair of scissors, you can always tear that bit off
@Stephen
As it says in the text (ahem), we needed to bag the issue because, on the newsstand, it also comes with a separate book. Subs copies always need to be packaged in some way in order to go through the mail. I'm sure Cyberpac will be investigating other uses for their invention, this is the first time it has been used anywhere PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 14:01:04
bravo
2009-10-22 14:02:45
ooops… didn't read that bit. was clearly too busy looking at the images (ahem).
well done!
2009-10-22 14:11:31
So, what happens if i'm making my way home in the typically british weather and it starts to rain?
For arguments sake, i'm in shorts and t-shirt (weather was nice when I set off that morning!) with nowhere to hide the magazine, my rucksack is also broken and left at home, and the shop where I purchased the magazine is all out of plastic bags!
But apart from that scenario, looks good!
2009-10-22 14:40:22
@Aem
If you read the text (ahem, ahem) you will see that the water needs to be at least 60 degrees in order for the bag to dissolve quickly, ie it has to be HOT. PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 14:58:00
Novel idea but Stephen makes a valid point. Do away with the bag altogether and save on production costs and hot water.
2009-10-22 15:20:22
@ Roy
As I explained to Stephen (see above) and in the text, the issue had to go out bagged as, on the newsstand, it comes with a book as well. Subs issues always need a bag of some sort in order to be mailed (bangs head repeatedly against wall...) PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 15:26:30
Yes...but would you want to drink that water/bag mix you just poured down the drain?
You just added to the shortage of clean drinking water.
2009-10-22 15:33:18
Great concept! I always appreciate the creative touches added to CR packaging & like everything it gives people something else to complain about even before they read the text!
2009-10-22 16:30:30
If this takes off won't everyone have to boil their kettle every time they buy a magazine? using lots of energy yes?
2009-10-22 16:30:55
@ fatboy
No, it just has to be hot, not boiling. We used water from the drinks machine. Not sure what the minimum effective temperature is - we will experiment
You could use the water left over from the next time you make a cup of tea (it doesn't take much), do the washing up etc PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 16:35:00
Ok, some good comments but some have missed the point. The hot water is just to show you the biodegradability at speed. You dont need to boil it, just chuck it on the compost heap! We use this to package fish food as it dissolves in the water releasing the bait.
Here's the detail:
Harmless-Dissolve is made from a hydro-degradable substrate which is 2.5 times stronger than normal polythene. It is a readily biodegradable, water soluble polymer which completely biodegrades in a composting environment, in a dishwasher or in a washing machine. It has no harmful residues and will biodegrade into naturally occuring substances - the bugs love it.
Want more then read on:
Harmless-Dissolve is non-toxic and is degraded by micro-organisms, moulds and yeasts. These organisms can occur in both artificial environments, such as anaerobic digesters, activated sewage sludge and composts and natural environments such as aquatic systems and soil. The micro-organisms use Harmless-Dissolve as a food source by producing a variety of enzymes that are capable of reacting with it. In the end the bag becomes carbon dioxide, water and biomass.
Have a look at http://www.harmlesspackaging.co.uk
Will
2009-10-22 17:10:00
i'm really impressed. this looks brilliant and glad you're willing to investigate and implement different, better ways of doing things.
also utterly bemused at the jellyheads who can't be bothered to read the article, but CAN be bothered to post critical comments, for what it's worth, patrick & co!
2009-10-22 17:38:58
Hey,
I am from Brazil and write for an ecology network of blogs.
Can I use your material here?
It's an impressive and great innovation. Congratulations.
2009-10-22 20:15:37
Nice, so long as the postie doesn't go for a sauna!
2009-10-22 20:27:07
@ Lucia
Sure, feel free. Please link back to us though PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-22 20:34:46
Maybe the leftovers wouldn't taste so bad if it was used in a martini. Could you guys confirm this? Thanks!
Very inventive. Keep it up.
2009-10-23 00:17:35
Bloody brilliant, they should start replacing all that plastic crap with this material. Really. I'm sure it costs more to manufacture, but damn, it's just so coooooool!
2009-10-23 05:02:00
Ahhh, Will's post explains a lot more, I was thinking - really great product and great of CR to give us our own prototype, but I don't want to be boiling pots of water and putting bags in it every time I buy a magazine. How does the price compare to the normal stuff? Is this what some of the dish washer tabs come packaged in?
Fantastic product, I look forward to seeing it used more often!
2009-10-23 09:13:59
Great idea but us subscribers get a 'normal' bag?
2009-10-23 09:23:28
Tell me again why you need the plastic wrapping... j/k
Great idea guys. Let's just hope companies like Tesco can use it as well
2009-10-23 10:30:16
Always love the way you guys look to improve and innovate on both the covers (and no covers with the green issue). Good work, keep it up!
2009-10-23 13:21:49
Er... Why have the plastic bag in the first place? Presumably because the magazine is full of Direct Mail (paper spam) items that would otherwise spill out. In my house these all go straight into the bin and then on to... Landfill!
2009-10-23 14:22:35
Er... "We are assured that any residue is perfectly harmless" Assured by whom? The bag manufacturer?
2009-10-23 14:25:40
What a good idea! If only others would follow your lead
2009-10-23 15:18:07
I assume us subscribers didn't get the boil in the bag version, as by the time the postie delivered it in the current torrential rain there would be nowt left
2009-10-23 15:22:54
clara_bow, I agree. If your going to criticise you might as well read what your criticising first! Numpties.
2009-10-23 15:50:55
Mad props, if it is completely disposable and bio friendly.... HOWEVER why not just put the print/design on the magazine cover? and avoid the sludge on the bag? Keep it simple and save everyone guck and time.
PEACE and love, V
2009-10-23 16:56:22
Didnt someone come up with a corn/starch based plastic film that could be used on microwave meals? It worked, was totally degradable but hasn't flooded the market with sensible progress in packaging. Alas, profit over progress and unless 'someone big' does go for it, this great idea will end up on the enormous scrap heap of sensible ideas along with all the other innovative inventions. boo hoo.
2009-10-23 17:14:37
This is really awesome, and the residue that is the melted plastic isn't harmful to the environment? I'm sure it's a secret, but I really wish to know what the bag is made of.
Everyone here is being a little short-sighted. An invention like this is valuable, in any sort of plastic bag revolutuion. To talk about it being wasteful to put it on a magazine is a little tedious. I think this would be ideal for almost all types of product plastics, as long as it was not harmful, say to food products, and able to keep said products air tight as needed.
The waste reduction of this though, in particular, is rather awesome. I'd love to learn more about it. Thanks for sharing.
2009-10-23 18:16:22
Just read more closely and saw the info about what it's made of thanks for that!!! Sorry :) I need to read closer like most of these people.
2009-10-23 18:19:27
yes, PVA has been used for years in various ways, how come this has taken so long for people to catch on!
2009-10-23 19:41:53
YES! Design will change the world...great start!
2009-10-23 20:13:06
But what is it made out of? The company says it is "a hydro-degradable substrate which is 5 times stronger than normal polythene. It is a readily biodegradable, water soluble polymer which completely biodegrades in a composting environment, in a dishwasher or in a washing machine. It has no harmful residues and will biodegrade into naturally occuring substances - the bugs love it."
This does not tell us what it's made out of. It's a description prepared by the manufacturer. I want to know what chemicals are in the plastic in the first place. Is it a petroleum-based polymer? Have independent tests been done (not by the msnufacturer?) Are there invisible plastic molecules left after the visible material breaks down? What chemicals have been added to the plastic to cause it to break down?
What I don't understand is why so many writers are willing to take a manufacturer at its word without digging deeper. I realize I could check the company's web site to find out more (if indeed they have published this information.) But I feel like if your publlishing company is promoting this material, you ought to let the public know the full details of the ingredients of the plastic.
And this completely bypasses the issue of the affect of paper magazines on the environment in the first place. And plastic needed to protect inserts, like another commenter mentioned, should be unnecessary. Customers should be able to opt in for inserts, many of which simply are thrown away immediately.
2009-10-23 20:30:22
Great idea!!!! Hope they find more uses for this kind of bag..
2009-10-23 20:48:36
http://www.projectgreenbag.com
2009-10-23 20:54:44
I agree with the positive feedback/responses. Any innovation that will help planet Earth is worth trying. Very interesting concept, a dissolving plastic bag. I wish and pray that it will spread to other areas, not necessarily dissolving plastic bags but other things that will save this planet for the future generations.
Thanks!
2009-10-23 20:57:28
Bagging magazines is a relatively recent invention, and not all magazines come in bags. It is the postal system that needs changing! I am assuming that the product that dissolves is made from corn or a similar vegetable product. As a consuming population we need to take a look at the impact 'from cradle to cradle.' Yes, at one end it is not going into the landfill, but there is an impact in the use of resources in growing and manufacturing the bag, which may even involve pesticides, herbiscides and of course the most valuable of resources - water. Let's pay attention to the carbon footprint of the bag from begining to end and then figure out a way not to use it at all.
2009-10-23 21:50:09
I dissolved the bag last night. Incredible.
I started it in a bowl of lukewarm water and you can slowly feel the texture changing, almost thinning out.
Then poured boiled water in top and remaining bag dissolved in from of my eyes. Very impressive — but I don't think CR needs to be bagged (even if its biodegradable) in the future.
2009-10-24 11:59:48
Id love to tell you what I think, however I still havent recived my subscribers Issue yet, I guess its stuck in the post.
Rob
2009-10-24 13:36:39
@Rob
It's only newsstand copies that have the bag this month I'm afraid - we needed to bag them this month as they come with the colour guide (see main text). We'll have something special for subs next month and all the ones after that, through until May, I hope PatrickBurgoyne
2009-10-24 14:38:18
This product is almost as impressive as the number of people commenting who repeatedly raise issues and questions already addressed!
2009-10-24 20:03:15
Amazing, just what the world needs
2009-10-25 00:44:42
Impressive invention.
But still not convinced about the need to bag the magazine. Can't they be stapled/glued to the back cover of main magazine, ie if the extras are not too heavy. Else if they are of the same size/wt etc, can't they both be tied together with jute thread, or stuck together with a strip of paper with glue on one side?
anyway,this is useful in many other cases.
2009-10-25 03:40:12
Thank you all for these great comments, keep them coming. I particularly enjoyed Susan Hedin's who is right to challenge the 'face value' and ask a holistic question about the impact of Harmless Packaging on the complete supply chain. It is this question that led to the development of Harmless Packaging as I believe it is important that we tackle some of the apathy towards better environmental packaging solutions. And you know, what is comforting is that there are plenty of people and industries keen to get involved.
To qualify each of the Harmless products here would take too long so I suggest a phone call to us at Cyberpac: 01473 836225. Harmless-Dissolve is not made from Corn or Potato starch, it is something very different and importantly leaves NO HARMFUL RESIDUES during or after degradation - it is that good.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Will Anderson.
MD Cyberpac
+44 (0) 1473 836225
2009-10-25 20:29:50
This is a great idea! I am going to buy an issue just to try out the bag!
2009-10-26 00:18:26
I just spent the last five minutes in our office kitchen waiting for it to dissolve (at the tweet promised) however, i come on here and read the article to realise it's not going to dissolve.
Great idea, but what a con!
2009-10-26 12:55:09
The fact that there are people out there desperately trying to find ways to reduce our waste is reassuring. Shoppers could do a hell of a lot more by dumping the vast quantities of excessive packaging on the shop floors (so to speak) instead of meekly taking it all home. Whilst the dissolvable bag is a great idea, it is the ultimate left-overs that worry me: aren't we precisely trying to REDUCE production of carbon dioxide? Should we be warming the planet just to dissolve packaging? And if it has such a horrible taste, what will the fish think of it when it starts appearing in the rivers in vast quantities? Do they want to be swimming around in this stuff, even if the 'bugs' supposedly love it? Just curious...
2009-10-26 18:37:32
It's nice, but is not that a little pollution anyway
2009-10-27 17:01:45
It's possible to package garbage with this kind of polymere? How long it takes to dissolve with umidity? We can produce less garbage, but yet, we need to package the garbage...
2009-10-28 03:48:13
Shame my subscribed polly wraped CR didn't dissolve...I got all excited when reading this artical.
2009-10-28 09:41:10
Hi, congratulation for the Idea and for the product. But I got some questions. First I wanted to know about the ink used on the plastic. What is it made of? Regular ink? How does it impact the environment? I also wanted to know more about the material. I can´t call you because I live in Brazil and a phone call is pretty expensive, so if you could send me the in formations by e-mail, I’ll be grateful.
Thanks and well done.
2009-10-28 09:47:54
@Clara
Thanks for the comment. There's some more detailed information on the material at Cyberpac's website, here:
http://www.harmlesspackaging.co.uk/harmless-106-harmless-dissolve.html
But I'll pass on your query (and email) to Will at Cyberpac too and he should be able to help you with further information. Mark Sinclair
2009-10-28 09:52:07
Clara, Lourdes - let me answer your questions here.
Packaging garbage is an excellent use for Harmless-Dissolve. It will compost by 90% in 50 days but of course will compost or dissolve much quicker with more or warmer water. It is up to 3 times stronger than polythene so will carry the weight too.
The inks used are liquid, non solvent biodegradable inks which conform to EN13432 compostability standard and therefore has no impact on the environment. The material is a hydro-degradable polymer and with the inks and biodegradable peel and seal lip, the envelope is an industry first. CR have really pushed the boundaries here.
Please feel free to e mail direct willanderson@cyberpac.co.uk
Thank you.
2009-10-28 10:21:36
Thank you, Will!
2009-10-28 10:53:43
So does the harmless packaging bag have any certifications that guarantees its safely degrading?
2009-11-02 15:03:55
I think this is a brilliant idea!!! I would like to know, however, how soon does it start to dissolve. The biggest advantage plastics have is impenetrability especially when it comes to liquids. If this magazine were to get wet in the rain would it still be safe? If not water, what other elements would this bag be protecting against that paper bags/envelopes might not be able to do equally well?
If the water is cold and not hot as used for the demonstration, what is the window of safety that we can depend on?
But still, I'm happy that there is such wonderful research heading in the right direction! I hope it finds huge successes!!! :)
2009-11-04 06:26:24
amazing
2009-11-05 20:24:49
Whilst I appreciate your efforts to reduce your environmental impact, a better solution would be for CR readers to switch to a green electricity provider (e.g. Ecotricity, Good Energy, or Green Energy in the UK), and to then read the magazine online. Some publishers have already ceased to produce a print edition and now offer online subscriptions only and I think this will become more commonplace in future.
2009-11-10 18:20:52
How about using it in conjunction with a grey water system (hot shower water waste particularly). This way you are not using extra water to dissolve the plastic.
2009-11-30 22:40:10
Excellent! My application? Dry "Crappiers"! to save water in Arid areas and for the folks in California who salt fields for lack of water! Imagine a bag like this with a good vapor proof seal! Catch old Tobey in the bag, with the wipe up stuff, seal and ship to the bio-gas works, there to be dissolved and turned into consumer gas and good safe top-soil improving fertilizer sludge - no polluted water-ways, no wasted drinking grade water used! Home grown gas for fuel, fields watered with extra water conserved, fields fertilized too! and a win! win! win! all around the board! all for Shiite!
2009-11-30 23:43:32
Nice so now instead of the plastic rotting in piles, the plastic can get into the bodies of fish and poison and kill them instead.
2009-12-01 02:43:35
Sp you have to heat up water to melt the bag?! seems like a waste of energy to me.
The best way to preserve the planet is to consume less entirely. But no one wants to bring that up because it hurts capitalism.
Harry up and produce for reduced cost and then hurry up and buy for the most profit, consume and waste. This is what is hurting the planet and wasting energy!
2009-12-01 20:33:47
Sabrina, jpax - why so cynical. Harmless (clue in the title) Packaging is. It biodegrades non-toxically into non-toxic waste - I have drunk it. You don't need to use water to biodegrade this product, that was for demonstration purposes. Harmless Dissolve is so strong you need less of it so you consume less - as your rant suggests. We (and many others) are trying jpax, we are not all vicious capitalists!
Will
2009-12-02 12:01:34
So how the heck are they going to apply it for products which require resistant for water?
I think that we are still forced to useplastic bags
2009-12-02 23:05:50
It sounds great! I would take it and use it as a poo bag too! Pick up the poo... take it to a compost and voila! Once the water touches it, it will disolve. Great!
2009-12-03 01:44:28
If all of our plastic packaging got replaced by 'harmless bio-friendly' plastic packaging that dissolves in water, we'd have a massive pollution problem on our hands within a year.
2009-12-10 09:55:03
If all of our plastic packaging got replaced by 'harmless bio-friendly' plastic packaging that dissolves in water, we'd have a massive pollution problem on our hands within a year.
2009-12-10 09:59:43
Apparently some folks get it and some folks don't. See the video below (I'll try to embed the code - if that doesn't work, just click on the link):
http://www.viddler.com/explore/butchgibson/videos/125/
2010-01-18 19:21:30
A solution to pour things down the drain seems to go against everything we've learned through the first "green revolution". How someone can think its a good idea to remove something from landfill and place it into a even more fragile environment - aquatic system - is a bit confounding. Simply transfer of environmental burden from one area to another should not be considered innovation. Real innovation should aim to completely remove environmental burdens or at least be net neutral.
2010-02-08 15:23:14
Clearly there are SO MANY PEOPLE who do not READ THE ARTICLES and do not read THE ANSWERS ALREADY GIVEN - that if we simply shot them all there would be very few people left in the world - thus greatly reducing the burden on the global environment!
We should, of course, use biodegradable bullets.
Once again for the thick:
The product dissolves VERY SLOWLY in cold water (so rain is not a problem) and INSTANTLY in hot water (for demonstration purposes only) - just put it in a compost bin and forget it!
The residue in the water is HARMLESS (unless they are lying)
And anyway - ANYTHING would be better than the millions of poly bags and packets which lie in the ground for EVER.
2010-02-10 10:54:22
Unbelievable! I'm with you Jim. Biodegradable bullets seems to be the answer for some...that would clean up the planet in itself.
Will, keep up the good work. Fabulous and I'm getting the facts and can't wait to put it in my compost bin. Dare I ask how many who had negative comments have a compost pile/bin???? Ahem! R-H
2010-02-18 00:01:12
Couldn't you buy toys in the 90s which the packaging melted in water?
2010-03-05 00:45:20
Can I buy some shares in your company?
This is a fantastic idea. Can you use the plastic for other purposes like shopping bags, food packaging etc? I wouldn't care if it cost more, I would buy it on principle
2010-03-09 19:03:38
Please help me find dissolving bags in stores of Brooklyn, NY. I need them for my lesson in Saturday School. Please let me know where could they be!
2010-03-12 06:08:58
Get the RSS Feed
More like this
Articles:
- Blog: David James: Out of Print
- Blog: Richard Murray: 1965 – 2010
- Blog: Being a hipster doesn't always make you happy
- Blog: The new look BJP
- Blog: Decision time for the RCA
- Blog: Go Faster: The Graphic Design of Racing Cars
- Blog: Nice publications: Bumper Edition!
- Blog: CR's 30 cover: behind the scenes
11427
Most recently commented
| Tea time in Bristol (3) |
| Neighbour chucks TV out of window for NME (7) |
| Driven by data: McLaren's new site (9) |
| Richard Murray: 1965 – 2010 (3) |
| David James: Out of Print (2) |
Most read
| iGlass mate? That'll be extra |
| The Small Apple |
| Decision time for the RCA |
| Driven by data: McLaren's new site |
| MTV channel idents |
Subjects
| Advertising | (642) | |
| Art | (185) | |
| Books | (137) | |
| Digital | (200) | |
| Graphic Design | (529) | |
| Illustration | (248) | |
| Magazine / Newspaper | (93) | |
| Music Video / Film | (496) | |
| Photography | (184) | |
| Type / Typography | (130) |
