In the European Union alone, more than 1.5 million paint buckets are discarded daily, constituting a disposal of 340 tons of single-use plastic that is incinerated each day. Starting from early 2023 (2025 in Denmark and Slovenia), manufacturers are obligated to cover the disposal costs of their packaging based on sustainability criteria. In Denmark, this translates to an estimated 15% fee on paint buckets. Furthermore, the conventional round shape of packaging has proven suboptimal for logistics and transportation.
Beyond its environmental impact, the traditional paint bucket poses challenges for professional painters. These challenges encompass ergonomic issues during handling, such as the strain of lifting two buckets simultaneously, which exceeds recommended weight limits according to the Working Environment Authority. Painters also find themselves in awkward positions when pouring paint into a roller bucket for wall application. The demanding physical nature of the painting profession in Denmark results in accelerated fatigue and early retirement for painters. Additionally, issues like lid leakage due to dried paint and the use of fragile, porous plastic contribute to unexpected spills, particularly during abrupt vehicle stops.
Our innovative solution involves a cardboard box housing two patent-pending plastic bags, each containing 5 liters of paint. This packaging not only enhances the workflow for professional painters but also reduces costs and lowers carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by approximately 65% per unit. The box's design facilitates easy and ergonomic transportation, allowing for a 45% increase in units per pallet.
The box is opened, and one of the bags is inserted into a standard roller bucket used by painters. The bag effortlessly opens and seamlessly fits into the roller bucket, wrapping around the edges, and enabling the painter to begin work promptly. This functionality is made possible through an innovative patented design and specific plastic welding techniques.