The winners of the 2024 Student Design Challenge, an annual competition held by the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA), were recently revealed.

Students in top sustainable packaging design programs at universities were required to develop creative paper-based packaging solutions that address actual consumer demands and marketing situations.

This year’s PPA Design Challenge, a collaboration between the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) and the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), requested design teams from universities around the nation to develop stackable, sustainable paperboard packaging for fresh fruit goods.

One student design project in particular won this year’s first place – Pennsylvania College of Art & Design: SPUDS Potatoes.

“All of the projects submitted for the competition showcase the promising design and creativity of these up-and-coming paperboard packaging leaders. We are pleased to collaborate with sustainable packaging organizations like the PPC to support the Paperboard Packaging Alliance. Together, we are empowering the next generation of paperboard packaging decision makers with real-world design experience that prepares them for future opportunities in our industry,” Heidi Brock, AF&PA President, and CEO, mentioned.

“Congratulations to this year’s winners and all of the Design Challenge participants for their outstanding packaging designs. Through the process, they created viable and sustainable solutions that will prepare them for successful careers in the packaging industry. We are thrilled to connect them with industry leaders at our annual Fall Conference this year in Atlanta,” Ben Markens, PPC President, added.

Additional acknowledgments were announced for the following entry: People’s Choice Award: California Polytechnic University: Lively Roots Potatoes.

More than 280 paperboard packaging professionals attended the 2024 Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference, where the Paperboard Packaging Alliance recognized the winners.