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Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

mymodernmet.com

31–40 of 42 posts

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#31
post #20

slightly off topic, the black kitkat, those are dark chocolate kitkats? The green packaged one is for sale now here, but now i learned there is a black one. (which they dont sell at our local supermarkets)

Japan has dozens or maybe even hundreds of different Kit Kat flavors that cycle into and out of production over the seasons.

I just found sweet potato and chestnut flavored versions on Amazon.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#32
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Japanese humidity is a bit of nonsense. Places like Florida, India, Singapore, and Brazil all have much higher humidity.

Do pastries and candies go stale faster in those areas without the extra packaging, or is there a different motivation for the packaging?

The motivation is a Japanese fascination with order, perfection, and presentation... nothing to do with humidity.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#34
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that the case in all markets? Japan, from all I hear, tends to wrap products in a lot of unnecessary plastic, so I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Japanese KitKats are wrapped with plastic to align with Japanese consumer expectation. Given that the article quotes a specific amount of plastic that Nestle is expecting to save though this substitution, I'm almost certain that their packaging is currently plastic.

Japan has a strong gift culture, many things come wrapped in many layers for the purposes of gifting. I think plastic bags containing individually-wrapped-in-plastic items come from this idea: you can give someone a single item without worrying about contamination from unclean hands. Hi-chews are a good example of this. I remember buying a few items at a department store in Japan and the clerk individually wrapped ea…

[deleted]

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It really doesn't seem necessary to rip on people for being interested in things.

I don't think they're ripping on people. It's a fair point that this makes the front page because people on HN love stories about Japan. Try searching HN for titles with "Japan" in them vs. for example, nearly any African country.

Yes people are generally interested in Japan, it's an interesting place.

This story is also interesting because: Nestle is a huge company KitKat is very popular within and outside of Japan Changing the wrapping from plastic to paper, for this product, in this volume, is a big deal.

If this link was for a similarly large market, meaning its environmental impact was similar, I would read it and be impressed, regardless of where it's from.

Yes Japan is fetishised by westerners but this story would still be interesting without it being related to Japan.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think they're ripping on people. It's a fair point that this makes the front page because people on HN love stories about Japan. Try searching HN for titles with "Japan" in them vs. for example, nearly any African country.

Yes people are generally interested in Japan, it's an interesting place. This story is also interesting because: Nestle is a huge company KitKat is very popular within and outside of Japan Changing the wrapping from plastic to paper, for this product, in this volume, is a big deal. If this link was for a similarly large market, meaning its environmental impact was similar, I would read it and be impressed, regardless…

My point is that if this link was for a similarly large market, you wouldn’t read it and be impressed because you wouldn’t find it on HN.

The article’s content is almost pointless. It’s the Japan connection that gives it a huge boost here.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#37
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that the case in all markets? Japan, from all I hear, tends to wrap products in a lot of unnecessary plastic, so I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Japanese KitKats are wrapped with plastic to align with Japanese consumer expectation. Given that the article quotes a specific amount of plastic that Nestle is expecting to save though this substitution, I'm almost certain that their packaging is currently plastic.

Japan has a strong gift culture, many things come wrapped in many layers for the purposes of gifting. I think plastic bags containing individually-wrapped-in-plastic items come from this idea: you can give someone a single item without worrying about contamination from unclean hands. Hi-chews are a good example of this. I remember buying a few items at a department store in Japan and the clerk individually wrapped ea…

The worst part is most of this packaging is really high quality - I've reused paper bags and what not endlessly, it'd take ages for the stuff to fall apart. Mottainai.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It really doesn't seem necessary to rip on people for being interested in things.

I don't think they're ripping on people. It's a fair point that this makes the front page because people on HN love stories about Japan. Try searching HN for titles with "Japan" in them vs. for example, nearly any African country.

So weird that there’s more tech news from a country that has an enormous tech industry than from countries where people have to spend their time dealing with famine, tribal wars and preventable diseases.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#39
post #8

its fine if the product is superior (paper straws aren't to plastic ones). i wonder how this will handle melted chocolates. I guess as long as it does degrade when that happens.

All candy used to be wrapped in paper, including Kit Kats. They will be fine.

I remember them being wrapped in foil and the foil was wrapped in paper. The paper would not have been in contact with the chocolate.

Re: Japanese KitKats Are Replacing Plastic Packaging with Origami Paper

#40
I once bought a small Meiji chocolate with absolutely brilliant carton packaging. It looks like this:

https://www.oyatsujiten.com/x/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/...

The part where it says "open" can be opened and closed many times with a satisfying snap into place. Definitely recommend grabbing one if you see it somewhere.

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