The inaugural Better With Less Design Challenge was created to find new environmentally friendly and functional packaging solutions for some of the world’s most frequently used and fastest growing types of consumer packages. Organized by Metsä Board, the European producer of premium fresh fiber paperboards, an international jury including renowned packaging design experts from various fields related to packaging, design, brand strategy and innovation was convened.

This year’s overall winner was Iiro Numminen’s brilliant bubble wrap alternative, “Stretching Inner Part,” a corrugated box with an insert that attaches to the shipped product and eliminates the need for plastic reinforcement of the popping variety.

After the judging concluded and the finalists chosen, a roundtable discussed what they saw as well as the challenges facing the packaging community when it comes to sustainability and innovation.