New Royal Mint packaging - no more acrylic capsules eventually?

[paulmerton]

 

https://www.royalmint.com/aboutus/press-centre/the-royal-mint-partners-with-the-university-of-hull-to-implement-sustainable-packaging-of-the-future-research-project/

Quote

The Royal Mint has partnered with the University of Hull to conduct research into sustainable packaging alternatives for acrylic capsules used to display and protect coins. Leveraging research methods aided by a new AI platform that can predict the properties of new blend polymeric materials and optimize their composition more accurately and efficiently than current platforms, alongside the expertise of the project team, the initiative seeks to provide more sustainable packaging options for the UK’s oldest company.

 

[fiveshotdon]

Virtue signalling in the front, higher margins in the back. Much like apple not bundling chargers when they launched a new usb connector across their range, it's not about the environment. Royal mints capsules should be non degradable to protect and permanently house the collectibles without causing damage to the metals over time. They will probably start sending your proofs out wrapped in banana leaf soon.

Edited December 12, 2023 by fiveshotdon

[Olivard]

3 minutes ago, fiveshotdon said:

Virtue signalling in the front, higher margins in the back. Much like apple not bundling chargers when they launched a new usb connector across their range, it's not about the environment. Royal mints capsules should be non degradable to protect and permanently house the collectibles without causing damage to the metals over time. They will probably start sending your proofs out wrapped in banana leaf soon.

... or a paper bag.

[pmbug]

Doesn't "sustainable" inherently mean "biodegradable"?  I am greatly confused as to what they are trying to achieve.

Edited December 12, 2023 by pmbug
typo

[paulmerton]

4 minutes ago, pmbug said:

Doesn't "sustainable" inherently mean "biodegradable"?  I am greatly confused as to what they are trying to achieve.

No.

[SeverinDigsSovereigns]

"Sustainability" in packaging does generally imply worse reliability. But what beats an old-fashioned velvet tray? That way no one would notice the QC issues anymore.

[paulmerton]

Lots of misconceptions here it seems. Sustainability in plastic packaging does not automatically mean it is intended to degrade or damage its contents (and I very much doubt RM would adopt a solution that does... hopefully 🤣).

Just look at the new LEGO bricks that are made from sugarcane-derived bio-polyethylene. These are sustainable because they are made from responsibly produced renewable resources, and they still meet TLG's quality and durability standards.

[ArgentSmith]

If plastics are made from byproducts of "evil" oil and gas processing, what will happen to these byproducts if we use alternatives?

Worlds gone crazy, at least the "Western" World" has 🤪