Lacking in spooks
Image: wannapong/stock.adobe.com
With Halloween just around the corner, the local supermarkets here in the UK are packed with an abundance of sweets and decorations in preparation.
While I myself have fond memories of trick or treating as a child, I know many who have never celebrated Halloween in a big way. It seems that the ‘hype’ around this time of year has only become more pronounced in the UK during the past few years, trickling down from American consumers who seem to have been crazy for ‘spooky season’ for a lot longer, and aided by exposure to this via social media channels, TikTok in particular.
You’d think with the popularity of this annual celebration growing, more brands producing metal packaging would be capitalising on these trends. We have seen plenty of product releases and limited editions here in the office courtesy of Bell Publishing’s Confectionery Production title and Sweets & Savoury Snacks World website, but the only cans that have had any real exposure are the ones in the Fanta beverage lineup celebrating the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel to the original 1988 Tim Burton film.
Perhaps cans haven’t been completely left out of Halloween; there is still upcycling and crafting to consider. Any search on Pinterest will reveal DIY jack-o’-lantern cans (created by punching holes in the can to reveal the candle inside, or just painting the outside of the can orange and black), or trick or treating buckets. It is important to re-use and repurpose as much as possible during what can present as quite a wasteful season, packaging-wise.
However, what better time than for brands to highlight and celebrate the infinite recyclability of metal, and showcase all manner of special effects and other metal decorating capabilities? This consumer, at least, hopes there is more choice on our shelves next year.
- Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
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