#Sachet Engineer

[mariacallous]

Imitation caviar invented in the 1930s could provide the solution to plastic pollution, claims Pierre Paslier, CEO of London-based packaging company Notpla. He discovered the cheap food alternative, invented by Unilever and made using seaweed, after quitting his job as a packaging engineer at L’Oréal.

With cofounder and co-CEO Rodrigo García González, Paslier and Notpla have extended the idea, taking a protein made from seaweed and creating packaging for soft drinks, fast food, laundry detergent, and cosmetics, among other things. They’re also branching out into cutlery and paper.

“Seaweed grows quickly and needs no fresh water, land, or fertilizer,” Paslier explains. “It captures carbon and makes the surrounding waters less acidic. Some species of seaweed can grow up to a meter a day.” Best of all, he says, packaging made from seaweed is completely biodegradable because it’s entirely nature-based.

Paslier noted an amazing coincidence—Alexander Parkes invented the first plastic in Hackney Wick, the same part of East London that, 100 years later, Notpla calls home. Since Parkes’ first invention, waste plastic—especially tiny particles known as microplastics, which take hundreds or thousands of years to break down into harmless molecules—has been wreaking havoc in ecosystems across the world.

Plastic pollution is proving especially damaging in the marine environment, where tiny beads of plastic are deadly to the vital microorganisms that make up plankton and which sequester 30 percent of our carbon emissions, “without us having to build any new fancy technologies,” Paslier says.

Notpla’s plans to replace plastic began with a drink container for marathons. This is, in effect, a very large piece of fake caviar—a small pouch that contains juice or water that athletes can pop in their mouths and swallow when they need rehydration. “We wanted to create something that would feel more like fruit; packaging that you could feel comes more from picking something from a tree than off a production line,” he says.

Paslier showed pictures of two postrace streets—one where refueling came in plastic containers and one where it came in edible Notpla. The first was littered with plastic bottles; the second completely waste-free.

The next step was takeout food containers. Even containers we think are cardboard contain plastic, he says, as grease from food would make plain cardboard too soggy. Working with delivery company Just Eat, Notpla has pioneered a replacement for the per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), the so-called “forever chemical” plastics that currently line cardboard takeout containers. It has even found a way to retrofit its solution into the old PFAS plant, so there was no need to build new factories.

The company is developing soluble sachets for detergent pods, ice-cream scoops, and even paper packing for cosmetics. And there’s plenty of seaweed to experiment with, Paslier points out. “You don’t realize it’s already available massively at scale,” he says. “It’s in our toothpaste, it’s in our beer, it’s in our reduced-fat products—so there’s an existing infrastructure that we can work with without having to build any additional processes.”

[wachinyeya]

The student-led startup from Nigeria recycles plastic sachets into paint, and adds an organic insect repellent to fight malaria.

[folkloresthings]

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE — send a muse + a song and i’ll write a little drabble for it.

hey love, daniel ricciardo x older isabel larosa? thank you <3

SOMEONE OLDER. ❨ daniel ricciardo x reader ❩

✩⡱ warnings: age gap!

the sun that rose over miami was heavenly, bathing the entire paddock in a warm hue. there was barely a soul about, giving you the opportunity to soak up the florida heat and let your thoughts give way to the morning. working for mclaren meant constantly being on the go, especially as the youngster, meaning any moment to just stop was taken gladly.

“morning,” comes from the bottom of the ramp, the australian twang pulling you from your thoughts and right into the pounding of your chest.

“you’re early,” you note, opening the door to the mclaren motorhome for both you and daniel. his cologne hits you hard as he passes, the scent dizzying, and you’re glad for one last breath of fresh air. “the other drivers aren’t due until ten.”

daniel shrugs, shrugging off his orange jacket. the motorhome is empty, bar one or two technicians drifting past, and it allows a quiet to settle between you that you hate. since joining mclaren, there wasn’t a weekend that daniel ricciardo didn’t make your heart seize up. you never knew what to say to him, letting his jokes and sarcastic quips fill the conversations.

but now he doesn’t jest at the sleep in your eyes or how you’ve obviously scraped your hair back in the car ride here. he just smiles and looks at you.

“could say the same for you. what’re you doing here this early?”

you busy yourself at the self—serve coffee machine, giving you a reason not to stare at him, fidgeting with buttons you’d pressed a hundred times before. “there’s paperwork and stuff. zak’s made a whole list of things to do before the race starts later on.”

you hear daniel huff out a laugh behind you, and he’s closer now than before. when you look to the side, he’s near enough for you to pass him a cup of coffee, offering a small smile. he mumbles out a thanks, reaching past you to grab a sachet of sugar, the muscles in his arm rippling so close to your face.

“he works you too hard,” daniel points out and you resist the urge to agree. you were, for want of a better word, the rookie in the garage. an easy target for the experienced employees, dumping any extra work on the young and eager new assistant.

“yeah, but he pays well.” you take a sip of your coffee, lashes fluttering past the rim of the cup to take a glance at daniel. “you did good in free practice yesterday.”

“you saw?” daniel lights up, so much that it winds any breath from you. he always looked happy, it was his thing, but it was much more enticing when you were the one making him smile.

“just about,” you chuckles, head turning to see another engineer arrive for the morning. you smile and wave, polite, but keep your attention on danny. “managed to catch a glimpse between meetings. does miami always suit you so well?”

daniel smirks, dragging his eyes over your face. “it’s my favourite place to race. the atmosphere always excels, and the parties are wild.”

“ah, right. the infamous miami after—party,” your eyes widen, his sarcastic streak rubbing off on you. somehow, flirting with daniel always came easy to you; much easier than with any other boy.

“this your first one?” he asks, you nod. “you’ll love it. if you… can you even drink here?”

you fake a glare, lightly shoving his arm. the shit—eating grin that pulls onto his lips knocks through the annoyance you feigned, a laugh escaping your tongue. “i’m twenty—two, dickhead.”

daniel laughs, ruffling your hair teasingly. you try to duck away, but the pull in your chest doesn’t ever let you stray too far from the man.

“alright, kid. make sure lando buys you a drink or two, yeah?”

you watch as he brushes past you, headed for his drivers room to prep for the race, brows furrowing. his smirk still lingers on his face as he crosses the empty motorhome, only glancing back once more before he disappears around the corner.

his hand, the one holding your heart so delicately, squeezes until the organ almost bursts in your chest. lando, lando, lando. the other mclaren driver was only a few months older than you, the appropriate choice for your affections, but no one could control the way that their heart swayed.

hours later, the race over and trophies given out, night had fallen on miami but was only just coming alive. despite mclaren not doing quite so well in the race, it didn’t stop the celebrations. almost all of the team were headed for the club that was reserved, practically shaking with the heavy bass that played inside. you had been hovering by the door for ten minutes now, glad for the florida humidity in your much—too—short dress.

the twisting in your stomach screamed out at you for not having some alcohol before getting here, something to ease the nerves of bumping into a certain brunette australian again. hence, once the courage had built up, you made a beeline for the bar. the club was busy, but not suffocating, since the place had been rented out for the teams and their friends.

a few familiar faces passed by but you were set on finishing your cocktail in only a few mouthfuls, quickly ordering the next before you could even face the tables full of drivers and engineers. most of mclaren’s guests were in the corner, lando and daniel at the centre of it all.

“y/n, hey!” lando greeted brightly, wrapping one arm around your shoulder and squeezing you into a hug. you hug him back gladly, meeting daniel’s eyes over his shoulder. he’s staring at you both, mainly at you, unreadable in every way. you shoot him a small smile when you pull away from lando’s chest, not daring to breach the space between you both.

lando leans into your ear. “can i get you a drink?”

you see daniel’s smile grow in the corner of your eye, memory of you earlier conversation flashing in both of your minds at the same time. “too late,” you quip, lifting your glass to lando’s eyeline.

“the next one, then,” lando tuts, sending you a wink. you feel your heart flutter a little. he was cute, and charming, but the feeling in your chest was nothing near the explosion that occurred when daniel was around. you nod, pulling on another smile, and let him be pulled away by carlos.

“you look good,” daniel sneaks up behind you, hot breath fanning across your neck. you turn on your heel (high heels that were making your ankles ache), stepping back as you do so. if not, you’d have been chest—to—chest, and you couldn’t have trusted yourself in such a capacity. “really good.”

“thank you,” you murmur, but you’re sure he can’t hear you over the loud music. he smiles anyway, sweet and heart melting, lifting his beer to his lips. his lips glisten with the liquid, tongue darting out to clean it off. you blame the strawberry mojitos on the sudden dizzy feeling that drowns you, heat rising to your cheeks, but you know it’s all him. daniel, your constant ailment.

“team picture!” someone shouts, and everyone suddenly crowds around the small table, mclaren’s entire payroll squished together. you feel a hand slide easily around your waist, pulling you flush into his side, and when you look up at daniel he’s just smiling at the camera, as though this was perfectly normal. someone counts down from three and you force yourself to look away from the man, towards the lens.

his hand lingers there even when the photo is taken, a searing hot touch that burns through the thin material of your dress. he laughs at something another engineer says, and you can’t move, forced to stand there like a couple who do this on the regular. but your heart is in your throat and your knees are wobbling underneath you.

“you okay?” daniel eventually asks, looking down at you. you’re convinced he’s having some kind of stroke and has no feeling from the neck down, forgetting all about the way his hand is resting mere inches away from your ass.

“yeah, i’m fine,” you choke out, nodding forcefully. his brows furrow for a moment, but he soon turns at the sound of his name being called. you take the opportunity of distraction to slip out of his arm, hurrying quickly through the crowd to anywhere but there. when you find the small smoking garden, you inhale heavily, forcing air back into your lungs as best you can.

there’s no one else out there, no one else stupid enough to leave such a great party, but you’re grateful. leaning against the cold brick wall, the heels of your hands rub desperately at your brows, careful not to mess up your makeup. you willed and willed yourself to pull together, to forget this stupid little crush you had on daniel and move on with your life. but you heart never did listen to your head, and you were left a little tipsy and cold in the miami night air.

“what’re you doing out here?” daniel sticks his head around the door, flashing his teeth in a smile. you sigh, shrugging, and he steps closer. “i thought you’d ran off to dance with lando.”

“he’s not really my type,” you tell him, determined to get this notion out of his head. you wished you could like lando, so badly, and not have to deal with the fact that he was eleven years older than you. but here you were, in just that pickle.

“no?” danny queries, standing right in front of you now. you try to ignore how you can smell his cologne again, the heat radiating off of him, the sweet undertone of his beer lingering. “he’s a good kid. so are you.”

“stop that,” you whisper, shaking your head. “i’m not a kid.”

daniel swallows, a thick silence falling between you. his hand slips from his pocket, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear, fingers brushing your cheek in the process. it’s complicated, all too tangled up: you being over ten years his younger, and his colleague. the star driver and the impressionable assistant. you could already see the headlines.

but, somehow, when he grazed the warm flush of your cheeks bone, it all became terribly simple.

“daniel…” you mumble, warning in your tone. he keeps moving closer, big brown eyes flickering to your lips at every chance he gets. one hand on your cheek, the other finding it’s old place on your waist. “we shouldn’t.”

“i know,” he breathes out, breath grazing your lips as they hover over your own. he looks at you, you look at him, and there’s nothing either of you can do to stop it now. daniel’s neck cranes to capture your lips in one swift move, pulling you onto your tiptoes, pressing his body heavy against yours.

you moan softly against his lips, his tongue licking into your mouth at the opening. as much as he wants to be soft with you, hold you in hands like porcelain, but there’s a need inside of him that’s been building for months suddenly getting just what it needs. he’d been hung up on you since your first day in the paddock, all wide eyed and people pleasing, and now he had you in his arms.

he kissed you and kissed you until you were panting against him, his forehead falling to rest on yours, catching your breath. you glance up, waiting for the ball to drop and the dream to end. but it doesn’t, daniel just opens his eyes and smiles down at you. his lips are swollen and pupils blown wide, hands still gripping at your waist.

“lando doesn’t know what he’s missing,” he chuckles, falling into the urge to press another soft kiss to your lips. another, another, another. it only takes a taste, and he’s desperate for more.

“what can i say? i need someone older,” you quip back, nose nudging against his. he grins, catching your bottom lip between his teeth.

“as much as i’d love to be a gentleman right now,” daniel inhales sharply, squeezing the flesh of your hips. “i really want to take you back to the hotel.”

[switchscene]

Thoughts on Train Tracks and their Magickal Significance

As someone who's done a nonzero amount of train hopping and a lot of travelling, I have the belief that the rails are conduits for a lot of power. Lots of blood and suffering was poured onto them (mostly by slave labor, and further mostly people of color) in the quest for the intercontinental railroad. Millions were displaced for it to be laid. That suffering has soaked into the hot iron, and as it traces its way across the country it carries that power with it.

It's not all suffering, of course. In the time since, the rails have been a way to connect people, whether it's commuters using local light rail or oogles stowing away on a grainer porch, it also bears the energy of travel, of meetings and departings, and of new beginnings. Countless songs and poems have been written about the rails, of their sordid and brutal history and their hopeful and trailblazing futures, and even of their incredibly monumental existence as it currently is.

Before a trip, one of my favorite rituals is to bury a jar or sachet of offerings to Hermes near the local hop-out, and if I'm actually hopping, I'll pour out a little wine bottle from the local convenience store onto the rails I rode in on, as thanks for getting me there.

Next time you find yourself near some railroad tracks, take some time to sit and appreciate the hot iron, listen to a train go by if you can (safely of course). Read the tags and monikers that oogles and riders have left on the boxcars, carrying a bit of their essence on to the next destination. Appreciate the art of taggers and the love and care they put into it. Wave at an engineer, it'll make their day I promise.

[usgsbiml]

TONGUE. This is Euglossa imperialis it, like the rest of its clade of shiny orchid bees, has a long tongue, actually … this species has a particularly long tongue even compared to other orchid bees. Pretty simple. It sucks nectar with that long tongue from deep throated flowers that other bees often can't reach (because they usually have dinky lapping tongues). As a male it does not gather pollen, but it does have a trick that other bees don't have in that tucked into its expanded hind tibia is a little sachet (note: this is not a technical term) that it stashes various smelly oils and other chemicals to woo orchid bee women. In the American humid tropics they are big time common (as a group). Tim McMahon (whose gets his bank as a government engineer, but in his heart is a complete bee head) collected this in Costa Rica on his annual pilgrimage. Photo by Jade Louis. ~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

[jaxteller87]

my little empath 6

The smell of engine oil and leather filled the air as I tucked the last herb into the small pouch, whispering a prayer under my breath. Over the past few weeks, I’d given Jax more crystals than I could count. They always came back either broken or lost, but I didn’t mind. He felt bad, but I knew better— those crystals were just doing their job. They weren’t meant to stay with him forever, just long enough to serve their purpose. This time, though, I wanted something different. I carefully tied the pouch, filled with herbs I knew by heart, and pressed it into his hand when he walked through the door.

“Babe…” he started, eyes flicking down to the little pouch, already shaking his head.

“Humor me,” I said with a laugh, nudging him gently. He sighed, tucking it into his pocket, but not without a little more protest first.

“What if this one gets lost like the others?” He gave me that look— the one that said he didn’t believe in all this, but he couldn’t stand disappointing me either. “I don’t know if you’re buying these nifty little pouches or if you’re making’em, but I really feel shitty when they get lost cuz of me.”

“It’s doing what it’s supposed to,” I whispered under my breath, more to myself than to him.

Jax raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but if this one gets lost again, I’m taking a break. I feel bad, you know? You put all this effort in, and they just end up gone or busted.”

He didn’t know about the crystal I’d hidden in the sachet on his bike. That one? It wasn’t going anywhere. I smiled to myself, letting the moment pass with him thinking he earned a minor victory over the situation.

The next day, I met with my mentor, Carol— a woman with a soul as old as time. She welcomed me with her usual calm smile like she knew something I didn’t, as always.

“So, today, if you feel comfortable, I’d like you to give me a reading,” she said, her voice soft but steady.

A nervous laugh escaped me. “Are you sure? What if I freeze up and forget everything you’ve taught me?”

“You won’t,” she assured me, her eyes gleaming with quiet confidence. “And if whatever reason you feel like you’re going to— or if it happens, it’s just me— no worries, my dear.”

I was hesitant but also more intrigued and excited at the idea. “Well, alright then.”

I shuffled the cards at the table, my heart beating a little too fast. She asked for a general reading, knowing I wasn’t quite ready for something specific yet. Love, career, all that... I needed more practice before diving into that. The smell of burning sage drifted through the air as I sat across from Carol, my hands fidgeting nervously in my lap. Her little shop, tucked away in the back of town, was always a sanctuary for me—dim lighting, shelves filled with candles and crystals, and an energy that made you feel like time slowed down the moment you stepped inside. But today, the calmness wasn’t enough to keep the nervous flutter in my chest from taking over.

As I laid the cards down, something clicked. The stories they told came easier than I thought they would, like I was finally starting to understand this language of symbols and intuition. I took a deep breath, looking down at the deck in front of me. The worn edges of the cards were familiar, but suddenly, they felt heavy in my hands. “Alright,” I whispered. “Here goes nothing.”

“Just a general reading, okay? Nothing too specific,” she said, leaning back slightly in her chair. “We’ll leave love and career for another time.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. A general reading was something I could handle. I spread the cards out in a fan, letting my fingers hover over them before pulling three. I laid them down in front of us, face down. The flicker of candlelight danced across the surface of the cards, as if urging me on.

“Okay,” I said, turning the first card over. “The Tower.”

Carol’s eyebrows raised slightly, but she said nothing. I swallowed hard. The Tower: Sudden change. Upheaval. Destruction that leads to transformation.

I cleared my throat. “So... the Tower. It’s... well, it represents change. Like, big change. Something unexpected, but not always bad. Sometimes things have to break down to rebuild, you know?”

Carol smiled, her eyes never leaving mine. “Go on.”

I flipped the second card. The Lovers.

I blinked, glancing at Carol for a hint of what she was thinking, but her expression was unreadable. I shifted in my seat, trying to find my voice. “The Lovers... it’s about choices, right? It’s not always about love, but about making decisions that go along with what your heart is telling you.”

I felt Carol’s gaze sharpen. “Yes. It’s often about aligning with your true self; very good. Keep going.”

I reached for the last card, my fingers trembling a little. I flipped it over and stared at it— The Moon.

“The Moon...” I trailed off, searching for the right words. “It’s about intuition, I think? About facing the unknown and trusting that even in the dark, there’s a path.”

I looked up at Carol, waiting for her reaction. She studied the spread for a moment, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of The Moon card. “You know,” she began, her voice soft but firm, “this spread speaks more to you than it does to me.”

“Me?” I asked, feeling a jolt of surprise.

She nodded. “The Tower. You’ve been through some upheaval recently, haven’t you?”

I thought about Jax, the club, the constant danger that seemed to follow us wherever we went. “Yeah... you could say that.”

“And The Lovers. You’re standing at a crossroads, Amber. There’s a choice you’re being asked to make, one that will test your heart.”

Her words hit harder than I expected. She wasn’t wrong. With Jax, everything always felt like a choice between the life we wanted and the life we had to live.

“And The Moon,” Carol continued, her eyes locking with mine. “You’re stepping into the unknown. But your intuition is your guide. The cards don’t lie, my dear. Trust them— trust yourself.”

I sat back, feeling like the air had been knocked out of me. The cards had spoken louder than I anticipated. Carol saw it in my face and reached across the table, placing her hand over mine. I felt like she had tricked me (in a good way) into reading my own future. “You’re ready, Amber. You just need to believe that.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Do you really think I’ll get the hang of all this? Reading for other people, I mean.”

Carol chuckled. “Of course! You already have the gift. It’s just a matter of honing it. You picked up on things in this reading that weren’t even about me—they were about you. That’s intuition. That’s the craft.”

I smiled, a little uncertain but grateful for her confidence in me. “Maybe one day I’ll be as good as you.”

Carol squeezed my hand. “You’ll be better. You just have to trust yourself. Stick with it, Amber. You’ve got something special.”

I nodded, taking it all in. She stood up, gathered the cards with a careful, practiced motion, and handed them back to me. “Now, go home and let this reading sit with you. Reflect on it.”

I took the deck, feeling a little lighter, like maybe— just maybe— I was starting to understand this world. The herbs, the crystals, the cards... they weren’t just things I did to feel better. They were part of something deeper, something that connected me to Jax, to Carol, to myself.

“You really think I did good, though?” I asked again, unsure if she was just hyping me up or if she wholeheartedly thought I did well.

“Yes. Please, stop doubting yourself— you’ve been on this path long enough to know how damaging self-doubt can be when balancing the energies of the universe. You did wonderful, Amber. You should be proud.”

“Really? Did I actually pick up on things?” I asked, feeling a little lightheaded from the adrenaline.

“You sure did. You’re going to make a great reader one day if you stick with it,” she smiled, the kind that made you believe it, too.

As I left Carol’s shop, the weight on my chest eased, the candles flickering behind me like a silent farewell. The Tower, The Lovers, and The Moon— three cards that held more truth than I realized. I wasn’t just protecting Jax with my little pouches and crystals; I was learning to defend myself, too.

A couple of days later, Jax showed up at my parents’ place. He looked worn out, more so than usual, like the world was sitting heavy on his shoulders again. He dropped onto the patio chair beside me, pulling out the pouch. It was empty.

“Babe, I lost everything but the bag itself. Which is... odd.” He chuckled, a little embarrassed.

“That is…odd.”

“I’m sorry—”

I couldn’t help but grin. I knew the herbs had done their job. “It’s okay, babe. Don’t feel bad,” I said, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

He paused for a moment, then looked at me with a smirk. “Show me. I know, for some reason, you don’t want to tell me what you put in these, but I won’t make fun of you. I promise. Humor me, please.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I rolled into the house. “Alright, wait here.”

I came back with a tray full of my supplies, laying them out on the table like a magician about to perform. “This is everything I use.”

Jax looked down at the assortment— herbs, crystals, little vials of oils—and raised an eyebrow. “All of this is supposed to protect me?”

“Yup,” I said proudly. “Well, it’s not supposed to— it will.”

He picked up a tiny jar of cayenne pepper, eyeing it suspiciously. “And what’s this for?”

I chuckled. “That’s for when I know there’s a chance of bloodshed or bullets. Adds a bit of ‘bite,’ they say.”

He leaned back, shaking his head with a smile. “So this is the armor you were talking about a while back?”

“Exactly,” I grinned, leaning in to steal a kiss. “Donna started making these for Opie, too. We do it together sometimes, usually outside. It just feels... better that way.”

Jax nodded, still looking at the herbs and crystals like he didn’t fully understand but respected the effort all the same. He carefully put the new pouch into his back pocket, like it meant something more to him than just superstition.

“Well, thank you. Again.” His voice softened, and I knew he meant it.

I smiled, watching him as he stood, knowing that no matter how tough he was, no matter how many times he pushed back, he carried a little piece of me with him wherever he went, even if it was just in a small, worn-out pouch.

[sweeter-innocence-fics]

You Brought Your Worst and I’m Right Here - Epilogue

Pairing: Gale of Waterdeep x female Tav

Work Summary:

After an explosive falling out between Gale and his academic adviser, Mystra, Tav is left to pick up the pieces.

Modern/College AU.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Epilogue

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 1039

Read on AO3.

Masterlists.

Taglist: @mrs-kai-anderson @ang3l1te @missryerye

Taglist info

Previous Chapter

One Year Later

When Gale awoke, he was sandwiched between his two favourite girls. Tav’s face was pressed into his chest, and she was snoring softly. If he mentioned that to her, he knew that she’d blush and deny that she snored, but he had the evidence of his own eyes and ears.

Personally, he didn’t see why it bothered her. She was still beautiful even when her lips were chapped, her mouth hanging open, drooling slightly into his pyjama shirt. He hoped that he never had to wake up without her again.

On his other side, Tara was snuggled into the crook of his arm, a gentle purring rumbling in her chest. He was loath to disrupt this blissful little moment, but he needed to pee. He knew as soon as he got up, Tara would start begging for her breakfast, and that, in turn, would wake Tav.

Tav deserved a lie-in. She’d had a busy week. As carefully as he could, he detangled himself from his girlfriend, planting a kiss on her forehead, and then scooped Tara up into his arms and got out of bed.

Tara trilled sleepily, looking around in confusion, but Gale had carried her out of the bedroom and shut the door before she had the chance to start causing a ruckus.

“Sorry, Tara,” he murmured, setting her down on the kitchen floor, scritching her under the chin for good measure. “I’ll make it up to you.”

She meowed at him, so he got to work pouring the little meat sachet into her bowl. She wove between his legs, purring loudly the entire time he did so. He was practised at the art of not tripping over her while she did so. Tara had managed to trip Tav up a few times, though thankfully without injury for either of them.

Tav had adored Tara immediately, but Tara had been a little slow to warm up to an unfamiliar human. Tav would bribe the cat with fishy treats, which had certainly helped.

The flat they lived in now was nowhere near as big as the house they’d shared with Wyll, Astarion and Shadowheart. It had an open-plan kitchen/living room, a tiny patch of grass out the back that could generously be called a garden, and one bedroom. It was small but it was theirs.

They could’ve afforded a bigger place, but they were saving up for Gale’s PhD. For now, they were both working, but Tav had agreed to contribute more to rent and bills if his PhD application got accepted, so that he could focus on his studies. He had tried to protest, but Tav had remained firm.

“You can pay me back when you’re Dr Dekarios,” she had cooed into his ear, and it had been hard to say no to that. Dating a reasonably well-paid chemical engineer had its perks.

His mother had been dubious about how quickly Tav had become entwined with every part of Gale’s life. He knew that it wasn’t necessarily sensible, since they’d only been dating a year, but it came so naturally to him. Tav was his future.

Luckily, Morena liked Tav well enough. He was sure she never would’ve approved of Mystra, had she met her. In fact, Tav was the first girlfriend Gale had had that Morena actually liked, which was a testament to Tav’s character. It felt like every weekend his mother would call him and ask him when he and Tav were next going to visit her.

Once he’d gone to the bathroom and brushed his teeth, he opened up his laptop to check his emails, and was stopped short by a notification from his university application portal.

He stared at it, heart thrumming in his chest. It was a response to his PhD application. He was one click away from finding out the trajectory of his future. He moused over the link, and then away from it again, gripped by anxiety.

“Good morning,” said Tav sleepily.

Gale hadn’t heard her come in, and was so high-strung that he almost knocked his laptop off the table. She filled the kettle, oblivious to way his life hung in the balance. She was dressed in a dressing gown, her feet bare on the tiles.

His eyes homed in on her feet. They must’ve been cold. He should get her some slippers.

“Gale?”

He looked up to see her looking at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to answer a question. “Er, pardon?”

“I asked if you wanted tea?”

“Oh. Yes please.”

“Are you alright? You look like you’re about to vibrate out of your seat.”

“I got an email about my PhD application.”

Tav set the kettle down and crossed the room to him. “What did it say?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t opened it.”

“Oh…” Her hands came up to cup his face. His eyes fell closed as she stroked his cheek. “Do you want me to open it for you?”

“Please?”

“Okay.”

He turned back to his laptop and she leaned over him, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her hand covered his on the mouse.

“Ready?” she asked.

“No.”

“I’m going to do it anyway.”

“Okay.”

He closed his eyes, feeling her moving both his hand and mouse. She clicked once, and then again, and then moved the mouse a little more before clicking for a final time. A warm, bubbly laugh fell from her lips.

“Gale, open your eyes,” she said, gently headbutting the side of his head.

He opened his eyes. For a moment, the words on the screen were fuzzy, but they came into focus. His jaw dropped.

“You’ve been accepted,” she said, kissing her cheek. “Didn’t I tell you that you would be?”

“You did,” he admitted.

“And I am always right.”

“You are,” he agreed, feeling slightly shell-shocked.

“This calls for a celebration. I could make pancakes? Or a full English? Or we could order burritos from- Oof.”

He had shut his laptop, pushed it away from him and pulled her into his lap. “I love you,” he said, tugging at the cords of her dressing gown.

She cupped his face in her hands, a fond expression on her face. “I love you too, Gale.”

---

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed <3

[nocityfolk]

“i feel like i'm never going to see you again.”

@arthisan & PROMPTS FROM PRACTICAL MAGIC !!

the taste of coffee is bitter on jesse's tongue, served with too little sugar to be appetizing, tired eyes glancing at arthur. the university jesse works at has been rife with conversation the past few days. there hardly passes a spare moment in which a student or teacher isn't discussing the launch of the first artificial space satellite in hushed tones, half of them fearful, & the one excited; two sides of extremes that has left jesse settled somewhat in the middle.

he rarely lets much of it get to him— there's already so much to worry about, in between grading the neverending barrage of papers, probing questions about his non-existent love life from well-meaning sisters, & his own disguised worry about the work one of his few friends was doing at the company responsible for launching laika. (after all, how long would it be until space became less of a wonderment and more of a graveyard for all the men desperate to prove to themselves how smart they are? not arthur, though— jesse could name a few of the company bigwigs he had less than savoury opinions on, however.)

reaching for a spare sachet of sugar on the table between them, jesse lets his bleary eyes focus on the downward cast of arthur's focus. a shoe knocks into his under the table, a feeble attempt to gain his attention. three months they've known each other, since there were official papers on jensen miller's jesse's desk, questions about the connection between space and music during an interim where naca apparently had little to do. & jesse had accepted if just for something new to occupy him, letting his feet drag him through their halls until he'd come across an engineer; a man he could pester with questions for an entire afternoon and then incidentally befriend.

and now they sit together and have coffee like they (namely, arthur) don't know secrets about the universe unfolding around them that the other people in here never would. ‘‘you don't know. maybe they'll need me again,’’ jesse tries, wishful thinking. he's back to teaching, back to the comfort of a cold apartment in new york & no friends. ‘‘well, unless, y'know— you're planning to be in the next satellite they shoot into space. in which case, let me know,’’ he continues, blue eyes falling into arthur's and a warm, apologetic smile offered, ‘‘i'll wave t'ya from my office window.’’

[california-112]

It's time to wash my work fleece, which of course means fully emptying all the pockets, and it struck me for some reason that the contents might be interesting to someone other than me (for writers? artists? nosey people?). So, here's what is apparently my daily carry for my job as a junior aircraft engineer.

Swiss Army knife - which I do actually use a lot!

USB stick

Squashed piece of wrapped toffee

Tissue

Clean pair of small nitrile gloves

Lightly used pair of medium nitrile gloves

Half a chocolate bar I forgot about

Bag of mixed sunflower seeds

Black pen

Clicky thing from the inside of a binder that holds the papers in (because it's an excellent fidget toy once you work out which bits will try to skin your fingertips and learn to avoid them)

3x pepper sachets

3x salt sachets

Handful of sunflower seed shells

Chocolate eclair (the little sweet-box one not like. A pastry.)

2x paperclips

[tinyvesselhearts]

There's no place for us to stay (Egon x Reader)

Warnings: Heavy angst, hurt/comfort, Reader's father was a cultist

It's Chapter 10 of my Thing Is fanfic. Can be read as standalone.

It’s nine in the evening. You crack the window and roll down the blinds. New York is a noisy city at any hour and you’ve grown used to it— to the incessant humming of engines, puddled streets and distant laughing— but in the familiar cacophony of sounds you hear one that seems unusual. You lean towards the pane and listen. There’s nothing there for a few seconds but when the noise appears once more, you realize it does not come from the city.

Someone’s knocking on the door.

You approach it, steps quiet, muscles tense. One peek through the peephole sets you at ease.

“Egon?”

You unlock the door. He’s there: tired, hair tousled from the air outside, cheeks cold. His eyes are focused and a little too alert for your liking.

“…Hi.” He breathes out. “I’m sorry for disturbing you so late but it’s urgent.”

“Come in.”

“Thank you.”

Your apartment is small but rather neat. You move near your cot and desk, slide into the kitchen and switch on the kettle. Egon follows through the room, mindful of knick- knacks laying on the floor. He walks inside. Leans back against the fridge, facing you. You pull out a mug for him, put in a sachet and hop on the counter.

The space is narrow. Clean air seeps through the window. Heat radiates. You almost touch.

“The subject came round”, Egon informs. “Am I mistaken to recall that it was Yog- Sothoth who tainted your father’s mind?”

“That’s correct. Is it somehow connected to our new acquaintance?”

“I hate to say it but yes. He claims to be his child. I suppose it was a metaphor but you can see how it all ties up to a very saddening conclusion.”

“…My dad?”

He nods.

The kettle whistles and you move to turn it off immediately, then tilt it and watch the teabag sink in hot water. A cloud of steam hits your face.

“Honestly, it sucks. I knew it somehow but hoped… I just hoped…” You shake your head, putting the kettle away. “…Uh. It’s not that easy. I was a kid. I don’t remember a lot, just bits and pieces. Nothing usable, really.”

“You’ve mentioned your father kept a journal.”

“My father’s diaries are in my uncle’s possession. He won’t give them to me. I’ve tried to talk him into that but he… he won’t do it. Not after what my dad did.”

Egon stares you in the eyes and raises a brow.

“We could try talking to him together.”

“You’re unhinged.”

“True. But I look reasonable.”

You bark out a laugh but it’s comes out a little teary. You haven’t slept enough for a long time now. The thoughts invading your mind are hazy and corrosive, they bump into your feelings and make you dizzy. Head feels light. Eyelids heavy. There’s a single drop hanging in the corner of your eye— but it’s okay, it’s a wound that’ll heal— and you’re not even sure why you’re crying but you are. In a few seconds your laugh turns into a sob, then another.

You hide your face away, cover it with both hands. Breathing seems hard all of a sudden. Eyes flooded and helpless. You bite your tongue and wait for the pain to mend whichever part of your soul is cracking.

Egon straightens and that’s enough for your knees to touch his hips. He offers you a hand. You reject it.

“No, no”, you swallow a bile. “I’m alright.”

“You don’t seem alright.”

You shake your head. Wipe the tears away. Cheeks are wetter than you thought.

“You’re one in a million, Egon Spengler. It’s my issue and I have to cope”, you sigh, looking through the window. “Let’s get it over with. I’ll just grab my coat and we’re going to get those diaries. The sooner, the better.”

“Are you sure you’re in a condition to go?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’ll pass. I cry for no reason sometimes.”

You slide off of the counter, oddly brushing against his abdomen and chest. You don’t dare look into his eyes. There’s a task at hand— a task you haven’t been strong enough to fulfill by yourself. Uncle Neil’s going to be pissed. He’ll yell and remind you of all the things you wish you’d forget. You hate it. Dread it. Despise going back to your youth because it’s all tainted with a huge, dark splat— with underlying grief and horror, forbidden knowledge spoiling your home and you were aware of none of it at that point. What happened later poisons the entire memory. You shut it out and haven’t looked that way in a long time.

You fasten the buttons of the coat. Your hands are shaking. Egon helps you with it and gently wraps a scarf around your neck.

The streets are cold and uninviting. Whatever comfort you’ve found in New York’s bustling aura has vanished— it’s all white noise now, dirt and smog, and neon lights. You walk on and on, leading Egon through the infrastructural maze. A few shortcuts taken, a few crossroads passed and you end up in a familiar area— steep pavement escalates like stairs, every step you trudge heavier, dejecting. Cracked concrete tiles have given in to mossy tufts. The air is wet and filled with scents of gravel, exhaust, junk and rubber— all of them painting a tactile reflection of the New York which became your home. Tonight, though, it’s anything but.

When you approach the dark mahogany door it’s almost ten.

Your heart  is racing. Uncle Neil might not even be in there. A part of your brain tries to placate the other but your body reacts for itself: cold sweat and shivers are hard to ignore. You reach out. Knock. Wait.

Footsteps come from the other side. Then, your whispered name. Whatever courage and strength you’ve had is gone right this instant and all you can do is squeeze your eyes shut. Don’t cry. Don’t cry, don’t cry—

The door cracks open. A familiar, slightly hunched old man rounds his eyes. His wrinkled features look warm but hardened by years of internal turmoil.

“Uncle—” you manage but his stern look diverts toward Egon.

“Who’s this?”

“Can we come in?”

He’s stalling for a good moment. He gives Egon a once- over, judges his hair, glasses, scarf and coat— and dear God, you’re grateful Egon’s right about looking like a trustworthy, reasonable man because uncle Neil doesn’t ask any more questions. He lets you in and closes the door.

“So?”

You swallow. You want to cling to Egon’s arm but it’s not the time.

“Do you remember when I told you about the men I met a while back?”

“…Are you serious? And you dare bring him home?”

“He’s a good friend. He knows what he’s doing”, you rush to say but it’s not leveled anymore, it’s almost desperate. “They’re scientists, uncle, not cultists.”

Neil’s teeth clench. Fists do, too. His face contorts into an awful expression you’ve tried to forget. It’s ugly, tough and unforgiving, and can only lead to a fight.

“You have learnt nothing. Stupid girl! You’re bringing doom on us all over again!”

“It isn’t like that! Please, just let me explain—"

“I can’t believe you’re doing this. And he’s, what, luring you in with some cheap tricks? You’ll go down right the same path Nancy did! One of them will charm you, get married and use you for whatever godforsaken practices they perform in the basement!  And you…”, Neil shakes his head, fuming. “You’ll stand by and watch your life get turned into ruin.”

You clench your teeth and fists. You shouldn’t engage, you should focus now— it’s not about you, it’s the diaries, don’t let it escalate— but it’s late, you’re tired and a flood of raw emotion overrides common sense.

“Do you honestly think I’d ever commit to someone who takes interest in ghosts after everything that happened?” You yell. “All I’m trying to do is the right thing! It’s not just about us anymore!”

“And it should stay that way! Not every fight is worth your time and effort. You have to let some things go, honey. It’s not your burden.”

“You’re right, sir. It’s ours”, Egon interjects. “I’m doctor Egon Spengler of the Ghostbusters. We are professionals. You might have heard. It’s not about you or your family but people who are getting hurt right this moment. We have reasons to assume the spreading sickness is a direct result of your brother’s misconduct. Every bit of information could help, the sooner the better. I will personally make sure your niece stays away from danger.”

“She could be away from danger, weren’t it for you!”

“The wrath of your brother stalks generations. His children as well. I hate to say this but I believe she might have been subjected to some shady practices and has been haunted by them for some time.”

“The names are there”, you whisper. “Yog- Sothoth. I didn’t want to tell you, you’d panic, it would be the ranch all over again…”

You’re caving in but Egon’s stare is calm and unwavering. He keeps looking into Neil’s eyes: honest, sensible, composed— and after a long minute Neil’s anger finally abates. He sighs, glances at you and takes note of how you’re half- hidden behind Egon’s coat. It’s safe, you want to say. He’s safe.

Uncle Neil straightens up.

“Look at the position I’m in, doctor Spengler. Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do?”

“Keep my family safe at all costs”, he says, doubtless. “Even if that took a toll on me.”

They stare at each other some more and then the unthinkable happens— Neil sighs, yields and disappears in a room on the left. Hollow sounds of moved furniture come from behind the door and when everything quiets down, the old man reemerges with his hands full.

The diaries.

“I’ll give them to your friend— and exclusively him”, he states. “I am parting with it with a heavy heart. Believe me, there’s nothing I hate more than giving them away. The amount of evil this knowledge can cause is abominable. You, honey, are strictly forbidden from reading it. That’s for your own sanity. Can you promise me that? No reading, not even a peek, are we clear?”

“Yes, uncle. We are. I won’t read it, cross my heart.”

He turns to Egon. Extends his hand and passes two thick tomes to him.

“This is it, doctor Spengler. The pink diaries”, he seems to hesitate for a second but the moment Egon touches the covers, Neil lets go. “They’re your responsibility. She’s the apple of your eye. Protect her. Do what you must. Don’t let me down.”

“Understood, sir.”

---

Neither of you speaks for the better part of your walk home. The air is crisp. Bits of sand and dirt crunch beneath your feet. As some point you reach for Egon’s hand and he hooks a pinky around your finger. It’s not much— and oddly apprehensive— but you try not to think much of it.

You take a final turn onto your street when Egon breaks the silence.

“What was you reason for joining our team?”

“Don’t you remember? I wanted to apply to Uni, Studies of the Paranormal. That’s the closest I could get.”

“At your uncle’s house you said you’d never commit to someone who took interest in ghosts.” He sounds a little distant, lost in thought. “Job is a form of commitment. And this job, specifically, exposes you to the very thing you swore to avoid.”

You shrug and let go of his hand.

“It’s different”, you utter. “I wouldn’t get married to my job. Or start a family. It’s strictly professional, not personal, it’s just… different.”

“But it’s not. Your uncle has a point there. You keep saying you want to stay away from the paranormal for fear of getting hurt, and yet you seem strikingly attracted to it.”

The tone is leveled but for some reason it feels almost accusatory. Your brows knit.

“Can we… not?”

“I want to understand.”

“Not today. Please.”

“Why?”

“It’s been a hectic few weeks”, you explain. “I’m exhausted. Let’s not do this today, shall we?”

“You do realize it isn’t going to get any calmer as long as you’re with us though, right?”

“Alright, hang on. That’s… whatever it is—” you grunt, pent up exasperation finding its way out. “What’s the point you’re trying to make? Do you want to ditch me from the team? Is that your way of protecting me?”

“Absolutely not. I’ve spotted inconsistency in your viewpoint and it bothers me. You haven’t just applied for any job. You’re working with the specialists on the paranormal. You are personally committed. We are friends.”

“Okay! Okay, maybe I am attracted to the paranormal, maybe I adore learning about it and maybe I finally feel like I belong somewhere, alright? I’m surrounded by people who don’t treat it as a curse, who share the enthusiasm! Who don’t try to force a taboo on my past but help me understand”, you pant. “I want you to prove me wrong, I try to convince myself it’s temporary but I’ve grown fond of you and it’s only making things harder. I’m getting attached. Comfortable. And it’s horrifying.”

You’re at your wit’s end— so much so that you fail to recognize your body’s trembling— but Egon doesn’t seem deterred by this. He keeps looking you in the eyes, takes a step forward.

“Only because your premise is fallacious. All things are temporary. You cannot escape the inevitable but you can decide what to do with the time you’re given.”

“Wow. Thanks for spelling it out for me. It magically made me feel worse.”

“Because you misunderstand. Fighting the passage of time is useless. You’re wasting your time and energy on things you can’t control and it is the sole reason for your despair”, he says. “Why not focus on possibilities instead? Enjoy what life brings. Allow yourself to let go for a change.”

“Let go?” You wheeze. “That’s rich, coming from you. Working your ass off to the point of falling asleep on a microscope? Dating a mood slime in the name of science? Offering me to sleep in your bed just to collect data?... All you do has a cause and purpose, Egon. Have you ever tried actually feeling something?”

The silence that follows is terrifying.

A car passes by. Some fliers get pushed by a gust of wind, then tarnished as they tangle into somebody’s shrub. Yesterday’s newspaper lands in a puddle of mud. It drowns in the sewer.

“Thanks for walking me home”, you manage because there isn’t much you can say.

“Pleasure. I shall go back to the station and start reading before our subject wakes again.”

“…Yes. See you tomorrow.”

A bile in your throat is almost unbearable so you walk towards the entrance of your apartment building. Each step you take is begrudging. It almost feels like the mud from the street crawls up your ankles and sheens— wraps around your legs, slows you down— like your trudging gets heavier— like the words you said taste of dirt and grime, and you should apologize but you don’t know how—

“Do you really think I don’t feel anything?”

You turn around.

Egon is still there, hands shoved deep in his pockets. His cheeks and nose are red from the cold. He’s calm. He's patient. He’s a beautiful soul.

Somehow your heart sinks even further.

“…I’m sorry. It was insolent. I keep forgetting you could fire me.”

“We’re talking as friends now, not coworkers.”

“I should not have said that”, your voice shakes, “I owe you an apology. Please, forgive me. It’s lack of sleep and constant stress. And probably having to face some heavy family shite I fully intended to forget about. Shouldn’t have brought it out on you, Egon. You’re a good man. I'm sorry.”

“I could stay with you tonight.”

“No”, you say because the guilt’s consuming you. “Go back to the station, Ray’s fresh out of the hospital. He’s in no shape to keep watch over our guest all night. I’ll cope.”

“If anything happens—”

“I’ll call.”

“…Right.”

When you walk into your apartment, it’s dark and cold again. You notice a full mug of cool tea standing by the sink.

You close your eyes, grab it and pour it down the drain.

[tanishkapackagingmachine]

Tanishka Packaging Machines: Leading Pouch & Box Packing Machine Manufacturers in Jaipur, India

When it comes to packaging machinery, Tanishka Packaging Machines stands out as a reliable name in the industry. Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Tanishka Packaging Machines is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality packaging solutions, including pouch packing machines and box packing machines. With years of expertise, innovation, and commitment to quality, the company has become a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance their packaging operations.

Why Choose Tanishka Packaging Machines?

State-of-the-Art Technology  The company uses advanced technology and cutting-edge machinery to ensure that every product meets the highest industry standards. Whether it’s pouch packing or box packing, Tanishka Packaging Machines incorporates precision engineering to deliver equipment that guarantees high performance and reliability.

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Durability and Longevity  One of the hallmarks of Tanishka Packaging Machines is the longevity of its products. The packaging machines are built to last, ensuring that businesses get value for their investment over time. With robust construction and high-quality materials, these machines are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, providing long-term performance without the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Comprehensive Range of Packaging Machines  Tanishka Packaging Machines offers an extensive portfolio of packaging machinery. From pouch packing machines for small to large-scale operations to box packing machines in Rajasthan, they provide solutions for diverse packaging needs. Their machines are suitable for both automatic and semi-automatic packaging, offering businesses the flexibility to choose the right equipment based on their production scale and budget.

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Box packing machines are an integral part of packaging lines across various industries. These machines help businesses to package products into boxes efficiently and securely. Tanishka Packaging Machines’ box packing machine in Rajasthan is designed to deliver high-speed, reliable performance for businesses of all sizes. Some key advantages include:

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Tanishka Packaging Machines’ pouch packing machines are known for their precision and speed. These machines are ideal for packaging powders, granules, liquids, and other products in pouches. The machines come with advanced sealing and filling technologies, ensuring minimal wastage and accurate measurements. The machines also feature user-friendly interfaces, making them easy to operate and maintain.

Whether you are packaging food items, pharmaceuticals, or non-food products, the pouch packing machines from Tanishka Packaging Machines offer the following benefits:

Flexibility in Packaging Sizes: These machines can accommodate a wide range of pouch sizes, from small sachets to larger bags, catering to various packaging needs.

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Tanishka Packaging Machines: Your Trusted Partner in Packaging Solutions

In addition to offering high-quality pouch and box packing machines, Tanishka Packaging Machines also provides exceptional after-sales support, ensuring that their customers get the best service even after the purchase. Their team of experts is always available to provide guidance on machine installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, ensuring minimal downtime and continuous productivity.

As one of the leading packaging machine manufacturers in India, Tanishka Packaging Machines is committed to helping businesses scale and optimize their packaging operations. With a focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and quality, they continue to be the preferred choice for businesses in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and across the country.

Contact Tanishka Packaging Machines Today

Whether you need a box packing machine in Rajasthan or a state-of-the-art pouch packing machine, Tanishka Packaging Machines is here to meet your needs. Explore their wide range of packaging solutions and take your business to the next level. Reach out to them today for more information and to get a customized quote based on your packaging requirements.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of packaging, Tanishka Packaging Machines has proven to be a leader in providing top-tier machines that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure high-quality packaging. As pouch packing machine manufacturers and box packing machine manufacturers in Rajasthan, they continue to be at the forefront of packaging technology in India. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, Tanishka Packaging Machines is the go-to choice for businesses across industries.

[jppackaging]

High-Quality Packettes for Efficient Packaging Solutions

JP Packaging offers standard and die cut packette and sachet options for your sampling or unit dose needs. We can help you create packaging that is custom engineered to suit your unique product and branding needs. Tell us about your unique needs, and we can custom design a solution just for you from our wide variety of shapes and sizes. We offer fills ranging from .5mL to 20mL for liquids, or from 1.0 gram to 30+ grams of powder. For more information visit :- https://www.jppkg.com/packettes/

[healthcarenbz]

Why Effervescent Packaging Matters- Benefits of Quality Manufacturing for Healthcare Products

Effervescent packaging plays a vital role in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and longevity of sensitive products such as effervescent tablets. The combination of innovative packaging materials, advanced manufacturing processes, and stringent quality standards has revolutionised how healthcare products are stored and delivered.

This article explores the significance of effervescent packaging and highlights the benefits of quality manufacturing in preserving the integrity of healthcare products.

Understanding Effervescent Packaging

Effervescent products, such as vitamin tablets, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical drugs, are designed to dissolve in water, releasing active ingredients to deliver therapeutic benefits. These products are highly sensitive to moisture, light, and air, making robust and secure packaging critical for maintaining their quality and performance.

Effervescent packaging, often in the form of tubes or sachets, is engineered to:

Prevent Moisture Exposure: Ensuring the tablets remain intact and effective.

Provide Airtight Sealing: Protecting the contents from environmental factors.

Enhance Convenience: Offering easy-to-use, portable solutions for consumers.

The Importance of Quality Manufacturing in Effervescent Packaging

Effervescent packaging is more than just a container; it is a sophisticated product designed to safeguard healthcare items. Quality manufacturing ensures that every package meets the following standards:

1. Protection Against Moisture and Air

Effervescent products are particularly vulnerable to moisture, which can compromise their stability and functionality. Advanced manufacturing techniques incorporate moisture-resistant materials and airtight seals to protect tablets from humidity and oxygen exposure.

Example: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are commonly used in manufacturing due to their moisture-barrier properties.

2. Enhanced Shelf Life

Properly manufactured effervescent packaging significantly extends the shelf life of the product. By preventing degradation caused by environmental factors, it ensures that healthcare products remain effective until the end of their usage period.

3. Compliance with Regulatory Standards

The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are governed by strict regulations to ensure product safety and efficacy. Quality manufacturing adheres to these standards, ensuring that effervescent packaging meets industry-specific requirements for hygiene, material safety, and functionality.

Benefits of Effervescent Packaging for Healthcare Products

1. Maintains Product Potency

Effervescent packaging ensures that active ingredients remain potent by preventing exposure to external factors like air and moisture. This is crucial for pharmaceutical drugs and dietary supplements, where even minor degradation can affect therapeutic outcomes.

2. Enhances Consumer Experience

Effervescent packaging is designed for convenience and ease of use. Tubes with snap caps or screw tops provide quick access to tablets, while portable designs enable consumers to carry them effortlessly.

Consumer Perspective: Lightweight and compact tubes make it easier for users to incorporate health supplements into their daily routines, whether at home or on the go.

3. Reduces Wastage

Quality packaging minimises product wastage by preventing tablets from becoming unusable due to exposure or breakage. This is particularly beneficial in healthcare, where ensuring every tablet reaches the consumer in optimal condition is paramount.

4. Boosts Brand Trust

Effervescent packaging reflects a brand's commitment to quality. Products that arrive in durable, user-friendly packaging enhance consumer trust and loyalty, particularly in the healthcare sector, where reliability is critical.

5. Promotes Sustainability

Modern manufacturing processes incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices. Sustainable packaging solutions, such as biodegradable plastics or recyclable materials, not only reduce environmental impact but also align with consumer preferences for green initiatives.

Key Features of High-Quality Effervescent Packaging

Effervescent packaging is designed with specific features to meet healthcare industry demands:

Tamper-Evident Seals: Ensures product safety by providing visible signs of tampering.

Child-Resistant Closures: Enhances safety by preventing accidental access by children.

Customisable Designs: Allows brands to incorporate unique logos, colours, and sizes for branding purposes.

Advanced Desiccants: Built-in desiccants absorb moisture, offering additional protection for effervescent tablets.

The Role of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

1. Injection Moulding

This process ensures precision and consistency in the production of effervescent tubes. Injection moulding creates seamless designs that enhance the packaging’s moisture resistance and durability.

2. Multi-Layer Extrusion

This technique combines different materials to create multi-layered tubes that offer superior protection against air, light, and moisture.

3. Automation and Quality Control

Automated manufacturing processes minimise errors and ensure uniformity. Rigorous quality checks at every stage guarantee that the packaging meets the highest standards.

Why Effervescent Packaging Matters in Healthcare

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly leaning towards effervescent tablets due to their unique advantages, including faster absorption and ease of ingestion. Effervescent packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring these benefits are delivered to consumers effectively.

Key Considerations:

Stability: Effervescent tablets are hygroscopic, meaning they attract moisture. Without proper packaging, they can lose their effectiveness.

Global Distribution: High-quality packaging ensures products remain stable during transit, even across varied climatic conditions.

The NBZ Healthcare Edge

Among the top players in effervescent packaging, NBZ Healthcare has emerged as a leader by setting benchmarks for quality and innovation.

What Sets NBZ Healthcare Apart?

Cutting-Edge Facilities: Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery for precision manufacturing.

Sustainable Practices: Incorporating eco-friendly materials and processes.

Customised Solutions: Tailored designs to meet specific client needs.

Global Expertise: Serving diverse markets with a commitment to excellence.

By consistently delivering high-quality effervescent packaging, NBZ Healthcare has earned the trust of leading pharmaceutical brands worldwide.

Future Trends in Effervescent Packaging

The demand for effervescent packaging is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, driven by:

Increased Adoption of Effervescent Products: From dietary supplements to pharmaceuticals, the preference for effervescent forms is rising due to their convenience and rapid absorption.

Focus on Sustainability: Manufacturers are investing in greener alternatives to align with environmental goals.

Technological Advancements: Smart packaging solutions, such as QR codes and tamper-evident designs, are enhancing consumer engagement and product safety.

Conclusion

Effervescent packaging is an indispensable component of the healthcare industry, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and convenience of sensitive products. High-quality manufacturing processes are critical in delivering packaging that meets the rigorous demands of the pharmaceutical sector.

With industry leaders like NBZ Healthcare driving innovation and setting quality standards, effervescent packaging continues to evolve, addressing consumer needs and sustainability goals.

By prioritising exceptional manufacturing practices, the healthcare industry can ensure that effervescent products reach consumers in optimal condition, reinforcing trust and reliability in this vital sector.

[saputoprocess]

Milk Powder Plant in Gujarat

Saputo Process Engineering Pvt. Ltd. offers a Milk Powder Plant in Gujarat. Our Manufacturer Unit is in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Saputo Process Engineering Pvt. Ltd. offers customized milk powder plants designed to meet the specific needs of your dairy business. Whether you need a small-scale operation or a large-scale industrial facility, we have solutions that align with your production requirements. We provide end-to-end services, from design and installation to commissioning and maintenance. Our team of experts will guide you through every stage of the setup process, ensuring smooth operation and timely project completion. Our evaporators concentrate milk to the desired solids content before the spray drying process, ensuring the quality and consistency of the final powder. We use continuous flow processes for uniform mixing, evaporation, and drying, ensuring consistent product quality and reducing wastage. Equipped with modern PLC (Programmable Logic Control) systems for ease of operation, monitoring, and control over the entire production process. We offer automated packaging systems that pack milk powder into various forms such as bulk bags, sachets, or containers, ensuring hygienic packaging with extended shelf life. Applications of Milk Powder Plants: Full Cream Milk Powder Skimmed Milk Powder Instant Milk Powder Infant Milk Powder Dairy-Based Ingredients What capacity milk powder plant can Saputo Process Engineering design? We design milk powder plants with capacities ranging from 500 kg/day to several tons per day. What types of milk can be processed in these plants? Our plants can process all types of milk, including cow’s milk, buffalo milk, goat milk, and camel milk, ensuring flexibility for your dairy products. Are your milk powder plants energy-efficient? Yes, our plants are designed with energy-saving features such as heat recovery systems and low-energy consumption equipment, ensuring minimal environmental impact and cost savings. Saputo Process Engineering Pvt. Ltd. offers a Milk Powder Plant in Gujarat including locations like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Anand, Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Morbi, Vapi, Valsad, Junagadh, Nadiad, Mehsana, Porbandar, Godhra, Navsari, Surendranagar, Patan, Amreli, Palanpur, Modasa, Dahod, Gandhidham, Bhuj, Ankleshwar, Kalol, Sanand, Halol, Kadi, Khambhat, Jetpur, Kutch, Mundra, Morbi, Rajpipla, Dwarka, Dholka, Gandharpur, Bhachau, Chotila, Dhandhuka, Umargam, Padra, Jhagadia, Kalol, Savli, Palghar, Godhra, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Mandvi, Halvad, Balasinor, Nandesari, Pardi, Karamsad. Contact us today for more information, pricing, and availability. View Product: Click Here Read the full article

[anmolsmsblog]

30PCS Eyelid & Lash Wipes for Itchy & Dry Eyes, Tea Tree Oil Eyelid Wipes for Styes & Blepharitis, Daily Eye Cleansing Wipes, Hypoallergenic & Soothing For Sensitive Eyes, Stay Hydrated Lid Wipes

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[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Students at Oakridge International School Bengaluru are making a strong impact through challenging CAS projects. Here's a list of projects by the IBDP learners that raise awareness and bring solutions to real world problems:VRScience: Sarthak GroverThrough the Google Cardboard API and the Unity Game Engine, VRScience has been made an affordable product, giving widespread access to VR, an often-pricey feature. The application displays 3D models of various scientific topics (e.g. Plant Cell, Human Skeleton, etc.) that are tailored to the school curriculum. Sarthak is invited to the "Guru Awards 2024, 18th Education Conference" hosted by the "Brain World" group to present his product pitch to principals, school directors and educators from all over India.Members of Project ActivateFinanceForAll: Vivaan ShethThe objective of FinanceForAll is to make financial education accessible to children and youth from marginalized and less privileged sectors. Oakridge students have reached over 1200 children from government schools and colleges and conducted over 30 sessions. They developed a curriculum for financial literacy and are now expanding to 3 states. The project also got recognition from UNICEF. Project OREO: Aanya, Advitiya, Pranav, Misha, Ranitha & SunidhiThis ongoing project focuses on sustainability and waste management solutions in school. The initiative includes cleanest classroom awards, reducing waste, and upcycling solutions.Activate: Shreyas, Advitiya, Anuragini, and DamianThe initiative focusses on building air-purifying sachets to improve air quality, which can be used in schools and communities. The students use charcoal and breathable cotton layer to trap airborne toxins. Over 60 sachets created will be donated and used in school buses.NEXGEN: Bhavya and SamudrikaThe recent NAE-UNICEF Summit inspired this project, NexGen, focusing on "Empowering adolescents and youth with the skills they need to thrive and take positive action". The students aim to work with underprivileged children in government schools around Bangalore, providing essential skills and enriching their educational experiences.Metanoia: Dongjun, Avani, Aanya and AnishkaThe initiative focuses on empowering children in a childrens home to learn in a fun and interactive way. The teaching focused on science, art and sports, and it was to give the children an opportunity to explore the subjects in a more interactive way that was not previously introduced to them by their schools. It was over a period of a month and a half.Suvriddhi OS: Raviish, Riya, Joviana, Nidhi, and TanviThe project involves creating Raspberry Pi computer systems for government PU college students. They raised funds during Self-awareness week to purchase parts for these systems. They mentored students from MYP 5 and DP1 to help assemble these. The computers were donated to a PU college where they not only went to set up the systems but also conducted an orientation class on coding as the college did not have a computer teacher.About Oakridge InternationalAs a Nord Anglia Education School, Oakridge International School, Bengaluru is part of the world's leading premium school organisations. It is an IB continuum school that is committed to providing quality education and holistic development opportunities to its students and their families. For more information, visit: www.oakridge.in/bengaluruFor admissions, write to mac.blr@oakridge.in [ad_2] Source link