When we were scouting the FABEX 2010 trade show for food and drink developments we came across these new bento boxes (お弁当, or “lunchbox”). Debuted at the fair as part of the “Stylish Eco”, the One-Ori Hard from Acta is an eco product that also pays real lip service to design too.
Although the name might not slip off the tongue in English, the One-Ori Hard (ワン折りハード, “ori” means “fold”) comes in a range of funky colors and have three parts: a silicone lid (fully flexible depending on the model), a fold-up outer box, and a throw-away middle tray.
Once you’re done you just get rid of the tray, collapse the other parts and slip them into your bag. Throwing things away might not sound very eco but actually the materials are 40% lighter than typical bento box plastic.
The Acta staff told me that the company is currently starting negotiations with bento shops to form return systems using the One-Ori Hard. Obviously if you already have your own bento box it will likely be fully re-usable (and thus, totally “eco”). The issue is tackling the mountains of waste generated by the plastic disposable bento boxes from convenience stores and bento shops.
Acta’s attitude is great: rather than just focusing on ecology they created a product that looks fun too. Available in several colors, this is the kind of lifestyle accessory that you could definitely see people in Tokyo liking.
Post a Comment