# 281 - Google goes plastic free with their packaging

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2024-08-27
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/281-google-goes-plastic-free-with

## Summary

Miguel Arevalo, a member of Google's packaging team, explains Google's transition to plastic-free packaging for its hardware products, detailing the collaboration with Shandong Kylie to develop a lightweight, strong paper material. The episode covers the design of a mono-material box with UV coding and a paper-based security seal, ensuring the packaging is easily recyclable and compatible with existing Material Recovery Facility (MRF) sorting technologies, including AI vision systems. Arevalo highlights the release of an open-source guide to help other brands adopt similar sustainable practices, emphasizing a philosophy of 'progress, not perfection' in tackling complex supply chain and material challenges.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=0) Introduction: Miguel Arevalo and Google's Plastic-Free Initiative
- [3:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=236) Design Philosophy: Unboxing Experience and Mono-Material Goals
- [6:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=403) Sponsor Reads: Specright and Trayak
- [7:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=454) Material Sourcing: Partnering with Shandong Kylie and Dr. Yang Shan
- [10:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=641) The Google Plastic-Free Packaging Guide and Open Source Strategy
- [13:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=798) MRF Compatibility: AI Sorting, Vision Systems, and Consumer Behavior
- [19:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=1194) Regulatory Compliance: UV Coatings, Inks, and European PPWR
- [25:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=1514) Packaging Structure: Sleeves, SKUs, and Paper-Based Security Seals
- [32:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging#t=1932) Future Outlook: Upcoming Speaking Engagements and UV Ink Challenges

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Google (company)
- Miguel Arevalo (other)
- Shandong Kylie (company)
- Dr. Yang Shan (other)
- Trayak (company)
- Western Michigan University (company)
- Sonos (company)
- Legos (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [72: All Roads Lead to a Heat Sealed Pouch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2021-09-22-72-all-roads-lead-to-a-heat-sealed-pouch) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [40: Agglomerated Cork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [64: Unbridled Consumerism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-11-19-64-unbridled-consumerism) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Founder Feature: Woo Pailet of LOO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-11-15-founder-feature-woo-pailet-of-loo) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [89: Stretchy and Smudgy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-17-89-stretchy-and-smudgy) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-27-281-google-goes-plastic-free-with-their-packaging. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.