‘packioli’ is a water-resistant soap packaging made of artichoke + peapod bio-wraps

Alara Ertenü INTRODUCES water-resistant ‘PACKIOLI’ 

Addressing the issue of plastic packaging, Turkish designer Alara Ertenü uses natural artichoke leaves and peapod bioplastics to create ‘Packioli,’ a series of 100% biodegradable packaging for commercial soap. The goal behind the zero-waste wraps is to eliminate plastic packaging and, at the same time, meet the hygiene, logistics, and endurance needs of commercial soap brands and businesses. By using artichoke leaves, the biomaterial designer tackles the alarming problem of artichoke waste, with about 80% of each artichoke thrown out – especially in the west of Turkey.

various shapes and sizes of packioli packaging

all images courtesy of Alara Ertenü

artichoke leaves and pea-pods form a versatile bioplastic

‘Packioli’ is born with the awareness of the problematic local food waste and plastic packaging in Turkey. As a 100% biodegradable and locally-sourced alternative to soap packaging, it is made from two local waste materials: artichoke leaves and peapods. With its sealed edges, water, dirt, and dust resistance, and its compatibility with easy manufacturing methods such as heat sealing, the biomaterial designer intended the zero-waste packaging to compete with existing plastic packaging in the market.

According to Zero Waste Week, the global cosmetics industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging every year, most of which is non-recyclable and ends up in landfill or, worse yet, the ocean. Therefore, designer Alara Ertenü aimed to create a versatile bioplastic from natural artichoke leaves and pea-pods to propose a sustainable, biodegradable replacement. ‘Packioli’ will remain water resistant for up to a week if it comes into contact with water, and in 10 to 15 days, it starts to biodegrade in water. With its raw ingredients, the wrappers are natural moisturizers with chemical-free coloring from plants– beetroot and turmeric. In addition, it has an easy-tear opening for quick soap removal, whether under water pressure or manually. This innovative sustainable packaging proposal illustrates the importance of challenging our consumption behaviors and gives rise to new materials for bio-printing.

chemical-free pigments from turmeric and beetroot give color to the wraps

main ingredients: waste artichoke leaves and peapods

top view of circular packaging shape

process of the peapod bio-plastic

process of the artichoke leaf bio-plastic

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project info:

name: Packioli
design: Alara Ertenü

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: zaha mango | designboom