Under hype about excess packaging?
There are three main problems with overpackaging:
1) It wastes raw materials, usually cardboard, plastic, and sometimes Styrofoam as well. The more cardboard is used, the more trees are cut down. The more plastic is used, the more oil is used.
2) Overpackaged products are heavier to ship, wasting more fuel in the distribution process;
3) Excess packaging creates more waste that fills our landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a third of our waste comes from packaging.
Clearly some packaging is required to keep goods and products clean, safe and free from wear and tear. However, proper packaging (as opposed to over-packaging) should be a low-hanging fruit for any business; they would save money on packaging and shipping costs in addition to helping the environment. A great example is Dell, who in December 2008 announced that it would switch to greener packaging and that would generate savings of over $8 million over 4 years and eliminate 20 million pounds of packaging.
What you can do:
– Buy in bulk and, when necessary, separate individual servings into their own reusable containers;
– Vote with your pocket; choose the goods or products with the least amount of packaging or the environmentally friendly packaging. Buy loose fruits and vegetables instead of those packaged in Styrofoam trays and shrink wrap;
– Recycle your packaging. For a list of your local recycling centers, visit Earth911.org;
– Reuse your packaging: Hang those styrofoam peanuts and cardboard boxes that might come in handy. I see a lot of people requesting them on FreeCycle.org;
– Buy or acquire used whenever possible to reduce the environmental load of the product, its packaging and shipping. And you’ll also save money;
– Tell businesses what you think by submitting Reviews on ConsumerChange.com or through the Consumer Change app for iPhone.
