Reedbut Group Ltd, a UK-based sustainable corrugated packaging manufacturer, is collaborating with mountaineer Nigel Vardy on ePACcessible – packaging designed to support independence and inclusivity.
Mr Vardy, who in 1999 lost his nose, fingers, and toes to frostbite on Mt. McKinley in Alaska, recently visited Reedbut’s Milton Keynes site to meet the team and test their ePACcessible solution. His experience and insights highlighted the challenges that standard packaging presents for disabled people, and how smart design and simple changes can make a huge difference for their independence.
“Every box will say ‘Do not open with a knife’. You don’t give me a choice,” says Mr Vardy. “The ability to actually pick up a parcel that’s on your doorstep and just open it…it makes you feel human again.”
ePACcessible aims to remove everyday barriers, promote independence, and set a new standard for accessible packaging. Reedbut has designed a new opening mechanism which features a large ring-pull style tab, allowing people with low dexterity and motor skills to gain access to their package without assistance.
Other accessible features include:
- High-contrast colours to enhance visibility
- Tactile symbols incorporated into packaging designs, including braille, to aid navigation
By putting lived experience at the heart of the ePACcessible design process, Reedbut is ensuring that sustainability and accessibility go hand in hand, delivering packaging that works for everyone.
