Sugar and Trees

One seldom gives much thought to the humble sugar packet seen in coffee shops (unless one is a sucrologist, at any rate) but there’s an interesting observation related to its design.

A few years ago the age-old form factor of these packets – a rectangle some 7 by 5 cm in size – was supplemented by a new format, a long paper tube about the size of a finger:

Sugar Packets

So – which of these is a better form? At first glance, it hardly matters. But actually the new tubular packaging is superior to the old.

Here’s why:

Sugar Packets - disassembled

Taken apart and flattened out, you can see that while both packets carry the same 5 grams of sugar, the new form uses about 40% less paper!

Sugar-Packets3.jpg

This is clearly visible at the right where the two exploded packets overlay each other. Admittedly it’s only a tiny scrap of paper, but multiplied by the volume of packets used around the globe this can save quite a few trees for sure.

Oh, and the tubular packet has a bonus advantage: it can be used, in a pinch, to stir the coffee!

Categories: Good design

4 Comments

  1. The tubular packet is easier to control for a partial serving. You want half a serving? pinch it in the middle and pour. The flatter tube is more difficult to pinch, you have to make sure of pinching in a line all across the width, with no voids.

  2. Well said, Boaz! That’s another advantage.

  3. Delayed comment. But anyway..

    This long sugar packets (AKA sugar sticks) was designed by Benjamin Eisenstadt. Long paper tube packet was designed to quickly bend&broke it in its middle by simple move (even by single hand):
    http://cs406330.userapi.com/v406330447/302f/AoHlYBc_1MM.jpg
    Unfortunately many people open it old way. Also some manufacturers produce flat and soft sugar sticks which is bendable but not breakable.

    I think that if some design later reveals its extra unexpected advantages (here found by you and Boaz Rahat) then we have deal with design masterpiece.

  4. Thanks, Anton! Didn’t realize that… will give it a try next Espresso time!

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