Thursday, November 15, 2007

Packaging is extremely useful in drawing consumers' attention to a product. Nevertheless, packaging does have other purposes, surprise? First of all, it acts as a handy way of portion control. It makes shopping easy. Just pick up a pack of half a dozen pairs of socks instead of matching socks from a bin. It would be quite difficult to purchase, lets say the famous Cocoa Cola Classic if it was not in a package, it would just be a sticky mess! Packaging also helps keep a product in new condition. Eggs would break, TV's would scratch, and Kleenex would get wet. Finally, packaging can prevent theft. It is a lot easier to steal an iPod sitting on a shelf than a bulky, yet well designed package.


Al mismo tiempo, packaging creates a lot of waste. The production of the packaging wastes scarce resources of labor, materials, energy, and time. Once a consumer removes the last layer of packaging, what ever that may be, he has left behind a trail of plastics, Styrofoams, and paper.

The following articles, "Continent-size toxic stew of plastic trash fouling swath of Pacific Ocean" by Justin Berton and "Germany, Garbage, and the Green Dot: Challenging the Throwaway Society" discuss environmental concerns about packaging. Both articles suggest that current package design is excessive and creates excess waste that negativity effects the environment through pollution, litter, and wasted resources.

To produce a more environmentally friendly packaging, there are several modifications that could easily be put into practice. first and foremost, use recycled products in packaging and make all packages recyclable. Simplify the process of recycling, and aid the world, by using less material for packaging. Do not make things bulkier than need be. Less "stuff" surrounding the package would encourage consumers to recycle what is there and it would create less waste.

Listen to what Captain Planet tells little ones...

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