Judging Criteria

Packages entered must be in production and not a prototype. Entry must also be commercial and in production during the year 2012.

Innovation

• The package demonstrates an application of a “new idea”.
• The package demonstrates a creative use of existing ideas.
• The package makes use of new design, material or technique.
• The design successfully transfers packaging principles from other industries.
• The package reflects important new marketing strategies.
• The package reflects new manufacturing advances.

Product Protection

• The package successfully protects the biological, chemical and/or physical integrity of the product.
• The original product protection requirements, as specified, are sufficiently addressed by this package design.
• The testing specified sufficiently addresses the need for protection for this application.
• The package successfully meets the test requirements expressed (evidence shown)

Economics

• The package addresses a specific economic concern. 
• The package design results in cost savings.  Cost savings may be demonstrated by any or all of the following:
  •  Distribution Improvements
  •  Damage Reduction
  •  Packing/Processing Efficiencies
  •  Machinability
  •  Material Standardization
  •  Labor Costs
  •  Warehousing/Storage costs
  •  Material Costs
• This design addresses the package’s life cycle, as demonstrated by any/all of the following:
  •  Reusability 
  •  Recyclability
  •  Material Reduction
  •  Improved Material Strength
  •  Density Improvements

Package Performance

• The package is easily filled, opened, dispensed, reclosed, stored.
• It can be run on existing packaging machinery.
• It is easily integrated into the existing distribution system.
• The package offers significant new benefits in handling, storage and warehousing.

Marketing

• The structural design contributes to product image or shelf impact.
• The package design improves or contributes to acceptance of the product.
• The package’s marketing appeal has been significantly improved by the redesign

Environmental Impact

• The package successfully addresses current and appropriate environmental concerns.
• The package design has eliminated, avoided or reduced unnecessary materials.
• Design consideration includes reusable and/or recyclable materials/systems where available.
• The package uses recycled materials where possible.
• The design has considered end-of-life scenarios for the package.
• The design minimizes the potential negative effects the package and its components will have on the environment.
• The design has undergone a life cycle review—“cradle to grave.”