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Treepac is a reusable shipping container intended to replace cardboard boxes. Its structure is made entirely of sustainable wood-based polymer cellulose acetate and is used like cardboard packaging but is designed to enable and encourage people and companies to improve their environmental footprint.

Why replace cardboard? Design Researcher Dave Siedzik notes: "We were disheartened that recycling cardboard is a completely inefficient process." Essential's researchers, designers and engineers estimated that a recycled cardboard box can have up to eight uses but must be reconstituted in an energy-draining production facility each time. The Treepac, on the other hand, can be reused again and again.

The judges at the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) honored the concept with a Silver International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the Ecodesign category. Need more green inspiration? See all Ecodesign winners here.

Treepac is still a concept but you can enjoy some usage scenario's after the jump.