Epson Receives Prestigious WorldStar Award for its Environmentally-Conscious Packaging

Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) today announced that it has been awarded a prestigious WorldStar Award in the Electronics Category for its globally standardized packaging for printer ink cartridges. Sponsored by the World Packaging Organisation, WorldStar 2007 winners were selected by an expert panel of judges meeting in Athens, Greece, on October 24.


In the past, Epson used different types of packaging for large-format printer ink cartridges based on various factors such as type, color, model number, and specifications of the target country. This packaging consisted of white boxes printed all over in full color and designed specifically for each type of ink cartridge. The packaging system was simplified by adopting an internationally standardized package design utilizing 100 percent recycled paper boxes partially printed in monochrome and making the boxes identifiable by affixing labels printed with product details. By using this packaging system, Epson will be able to contribute to lowering environmental impact while cutting costs at the same time.


As the pre-eminent international packaging award, WorldStar Awards are presented only to packages which have won recognition in a domestic or international competition. Epson’s standardized packaging became eligible for consideration after receiving an Electric Equipment Packaging Category Award at the Japan Packaging Contest 2007 (sponsored by the Japan Packaging Institute) in November this year.