As states across the U.S. legalize the sale and consumption of cannabis, the marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded with businesses seeking ways to attract the attention of consumers. NoWave Distillate & Dispensary located in Rochester, New York, is no different. Established by five lifelong friends in 2014, the business has made a name for itself specializing in cannabis extractions and in-house packaged goods, including gummies, chocolate, confections, beverages, vape, concentrates, pre-rolls, and packaged flower.
A long-time customer of The Paper Tube Co., NoWave came to us once again for a packaging solution for their Off Hours vape cartridges. This time, they added a new detail. In addition to being 100% recyclable and reusable, the tube would also need to meet New York State’s latest child safety regulatory requirement without detracting from the design of the tube. The design team was excited about the challenge and set to work. Their goal was to create something that previously didn’t exist—a child-proof button that was environmentally friendly, plastic, and foam-free.
According to Sari Oister, NoWave’s photographer, “We’ve always believed paper tubes offer a more sophisticated packing option within the industry. We use them because they set our products apart and provide our customers with an assurance of quality.” Dedicated to making high-quality natural products, the business is proud of its distinct brand identity while also maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. “It’s not easy,” explains Oister. “Strict government regulation in our industry, especially around packaging and marketing, make it more of a challenge to develop an interesting visual identity.” The company was hopeful The Paper Tube Co. team could create a 100% recyclable child-proof solution without compromising the integrity of the cool retro sci-fi design.
From a mechanical perspective, the button itself wouldn’t be unique. “Push button technology isn’t new,” explains Paper Tube Lead Designer Ricardo Gomez. “These buttons are in use broadly and are typically made out of foam, which is problematic when it comes to sustainability. What we do as a company is to look at what already exists and try to make it better. We are always innovating and trying to improve for ourselves and for our customers.”
The solution worked beautifully. The molded paper button, now known as the EcoVault, is made from 100% paper, including the core, with no need for the use of foam and is much more difficult to open. “A hard-to-open package would normally have been a problem, but in this case, it absolutely met the needs of our customer,” says Gomez. “You have to work with the tube to make it open. This elevates the importance of the package itself, which we think is so cool.”
Once the paper button solution was addressed, it was time to choose the right paper finish. “The Paper Tube Co. team offered great insight,” says Oister. “They sent over several different options for us to consider, which we found very helpful.” Now that the product is available to customers, the positive feedback is rolling in. “We’d been using paper tubes long enough, and responsible packaging choices line up with our brand ethos, so we knew we would go this route. The final product looks so much more sophisticated than anything else we’ve seen on the market. We have the best packaging to go along with the best product, it just makes sense.”
More than Paper Tubes
At The Paper Tube Co., we’re thinking beyond the tube. Forward-thinking, innovative problem solving is our specialty, and our team is ready to create something totally unique for your business. Whether you need child-resistant packaging to meet industry regulations or want to share a customized music playlist with each product using a QR code, we’re ready to make it happen.
“We’d been using paper tubes long enough, and responsible packaging choices line up with our brand ethos, so we knew we would go this route. The final product looks so much more sophisticated than anything else we’ve seen on the market. We have the best packaging to go along with the best product, it just makes sense.”
– Sari Oister, NoWave
