One of Google’s main goals was to achieve plastic-free packaging for all of its Pixel devices. The plan envisaged the new policy for all products launched in 2025, but the company is one year ahead of its projections. Google just revealed that all of the boxes for its latest Pixel (and other) products use alternative materials to plastic. They also showed off a quick unboxing of the Pixel Watch 3.
Google shows off the new plastic-free Pixel product boxes
Google claims that it has managed to replace plastic materials with “fiber-based alternatives.” Previously, the company’s product boxes used plastic in parts like shrink wrap, tapes, and labels. This year, Google launched products like the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, Nest Learning Thermostat, Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google TV Streamer, the new 45W charging brick, and even phone cases/accessories. Well, all of these 2024 products boast plastic-free boxes.
According to the company, the boxes are made from a new material that is “three times stronger and approximately 70 percent more stretchable than our previous paper.” The devices come with a colorful “cover box” that hides a thicker box with an “uncoated surface.” Google claims that the “natural” textured look of the inner box encourages recycling. Plus, the new materials make the package lighter. The inner box is made from a “molded fiber pulp formula” material.
The new boxes even have security measures to ensure that the product inside is new. There’s a “peelable closure label” that will be intact until you have to remove it to open the box for the first time. Google also made the entire box recyclable, so you can put it in a recycling bin without worrying about separating out non-recyclable materials. This will definitely make the process easier by skipping the most cumbersome part.
Pixel Watch 3 official “unboxing”
As for the Pixel Watch 3, each new model has debuted a new box. This gen follows the packaging design guidelines described above, but adapted to the product’s form factor. Instead of one thick inner box, there are two to distribute items like the straps, cables, charging puck, manuals, and the watch itself. There’s also a “translucent, rectangular piece of protective paper that wraps around and overlaps at the front of the product.” This is the same paper that wraps the Pixel 9 phones inside their box. The company claims that it offers a gift-like unboxing experience.
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