Packaging Solutions for ICA Private Label

Karin Karlsson and Karin Jawerth, Packaging Managers at ICA Private Label, led the workshop and introduced the new EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR). With increasing fees tied to material type, weight, and recyclability, ICA needs to rethink packaging design more than ever. They also explained ICA's broader sustainability efforts, emphasizing material efficiency, recyclability, and consumer-friendly solutions.

The session was highly interactive. Students visited ICA Kvantum in Mall of Scandinavia to observe real products and identify improvement opportunities, such as unnecessary or “no-need” packaging, oversized formats, heavy materials, and possibilities for “lösvikt” (bulk). 

Although the four groups explored different sections of the store, many arrived at similar conclusions. There is clear potential to minimize waste, remove excess air, switch to lighter materials, and introduce bulk alternatives where feasible. Overall, the workshop gave students a hands-on understanding of how packaging choices affect ICA's costs, environmental footprint, and customer experience.

Ellinor Thulin, Key Account Manager, ICA Retail Club 2025/26