One of Pringles’ most distinguishing features is its packaging. Unlike most potato chips that come in bags, Pringles are packaged in rigid cylinders. This distinctive packaging is not just a marketing choice but a necessity. Pringles chips are formed from potato scratch and other ingredients, making them more fragile than standard potato chips, thus requiring more protective packaging.
The rigid, tubular packaging has inspired a plethora of DIY projects, as the Pringles cylinders offer more utility than conventional snack bags. Their thick cardboard-meets-aluminum construction makes them ideal for various craft projects, despite the multi-material nature rendering them highly unrecyclable. It's as if the packaging itself invites creativity.
A quick search on YouTube reveals numerous videos repurposing or customizing Pringles packaging. These include Pringles dispensers resembling soda fountains, tennis ball shooters, and phone speaker amplifiers. Recently, Reddit user NekoLu shared a particularly luxurious DIY Pringles project. The video, which appears to be from Korea based on the language used on the packaging, shows a Pringles can be transformed into an opulent, leather-wrapped tube. The upgraded tube features a slide-out mechanism to dispense snacks from the bottom and even includes a custom metal badge, demonstrating impressive attention to detail.
This creative repurposing underscores the strong association between the cylinder-shaped tube and the Pringles brand. It's unique to see consumers finding ways to continue engaging with the brand through its packaging, especially in the snack category. Moreover, it's heartening to witness people finding innovative ways to reuse or repurpose packaging.
