Engineering Project Brief Work Experience Week

Feeding Britain’s Future

Engineering Project introduction Packaging manufacturing is a big business in the UK, contributing around £11-billion each year to the economy and employing around 85,000 people.

In 2018, the government took steps to make the UK a world leader in sustainable packaging when it announced £60 million in investment.

Yougov data shows that over a third of Brits (33%) make a concerted effort to buy products with less packaging or recycled packaging.

Feeding Britain’s Future

Your challenge Your task is to think of an alternative packaging solution forstrawberries. As a loose and soft fruit there will need to besome packaging, but how can you use a more sustainablemethod than the traditional single use plastic punnet?

Think about the science behind your product, and your design. Is there an innovative way you can help encourage businesses to use your product? Or maybe your idea is based around consumer behaviour?

Whatever your product or idea is, aim to take into account cost, impact on shelf life and the circular economy.

Feeding Britain’s Future

The possibilities or a new header? Although other options already exist plastic is cheap and fast to produce and it is argued it can increase the shelf life of some foods, reducing food waste by up to 20%.

Some large supermarkets have already responded to customer demand and have pledged to reduce their plastic packaging by up to as much as 50%.

While still a small proportion of the industry, there is also a rise in packaging free stores or aisles in stores.

Feeding Britain’s Future

Remember to include... Whatever your product or idea is, aim to take into account these key points:

The cost compared to traditional packaging

Shelf-life and food waste

Are you using the minimum amount of packaging?

Circular economy

Feeding Britain’s Future

Good luck!

Feeding Britain’s Future