At Plaeto, we’ve always believed that innovation doesn’t just come from experienced professionals — it can come from curious young minds too. That’s why we launched the Trailblazers Internship Program: an 8-week immersive experience for students from Grades 9 to 12, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how a sneaker brand really works.
These young innovators ask bold questions, tackle real-world challenges, and think like future changemakers. This season, they took a fresh look at something most people overlook — what really happens to shoe packaging after the unboxing moment. Their mission? To explore how consumers respond to alternative packaging — the kind that breaks away from the traditional cardboard box. Do people notice the difference? Do they care? And most importantly, do they keep it or toss it?
To find out, they conducted surveys and interviews with sneakerheads, parents, teenagers, and professionals — all the people who interact with shoe packaging regularly.
What They Discovered
1. Mixed Feelings on the Traditional Box
Many people are emotionally attached to the classic shoebox. It feels premium, secure, and familiar. For buyers of men's shoes , the box often becomes a storage unit — for shoes or other small items.
2. Alternative Packaging Has Potential
That said, a surprising number of people were open to eco-friendly alternatives — especially reusable bags or foldable pouches. Women buyers, in particular, appreciated compact, reusable options they could carry or repurpose.
3. But Do People Care?
Here’s the interesting part: while some consumers prefer boxes, most didn’t mind alternatives as long as the shoes arrived safely. What mattered more was the thoughtfulness behind the packaging — whether it felt sustainable, easy to recycle, or even creatively designed.
4. The Afterlife of Packaging
Boxes were often reused (mostly for storage), but many were discarded, especially in homes with limited space. Alternative packaging had a better chance of being reused — as shoe bags, organizers, or even lunch pouches!
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about packaging — it’s about brand experience. The Trailblazers' findings show that sustainable packaging doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. With the right design and storytelling, it can elevate the product, not just protect it.
For Plaeto, this insight is a game-changer. We're now rethinking how we deliver our footwear — whether it’s casual shoes for women that come in foldable fabric sleeves, or casual shoes for men in lightweight, recyclable kits.
Once again, our interns proved that big impact often starts with small questions. And sometimes, the future of sustainability is as simple as rethinking a shoebox.
See how we're stepping forward — from packaging to product — at plaeto.in.
