So many questions ran through my head as I filled snack bag for my daughters with little orange squares. It was the only FAMILY SIZE variety they had at the store so I gave them a shot (donât judge, you know you love Cheez-Its). âExtra Toasty,â it said on the box.
Sooo, basically, they left them in the toaster too long? They taste delicious, donât get me wrong! Iâll quickly rank them a 5/5 based on flavor, crunch, and the perfect amount of salty.
But how did these âextra toastyâ snacks find their way from the factory to the grocery store shelves?
Was the person running the toaster feeling under the weather one day, totally missing the timer?
Or is this a regular occasion, some batches just get a little more browned?
Has there been a group of people in the factory fighting over who gets to take the half-burnt Cheez-Its home to their kids? For years?!
Did one of them finally speak up at meeting called by Kelloggâs finance department, announcing âwe need to increase the profit margin!â?
Maybe someone from the group of rebels reluctantly responded, âwe could cut waste?â
Is that what these little salty snacks are? An attempt to cut waste AND increase profits?
Is this a case of âpresentation is everything?â
Or, was it all intentional?
Is there really a chance someone had the idea BEFORE the mistake happened? âLetâs try leaving them in longer and see how they come out.â Nah…
I may never know the answers to these random questions. But what I do know is that Iâll continue allowing my curiosity to spark ideas for my clientsâ businesses. How can they cut waste by repurposing unused goods? Hell, how can I?
Should I open an online shop for unused logo drafts? I mean, theyâre just as tastefully crafted as the others. But technically, theyâre waste!
Should I pitch unused ideas for a current client to a potential client I havenât worked with yet?
What about your businessâhow can you repurpose and repackage your waste, figuratively and literally? (PS-Did you know weâre REALLY good at package design?! đ)
Get creative, be curious! Inspiration is everywhere⊠even at the bottom of a snack bag.
đ€ Maria Conigliaro Traino
President/Creative Director