Pitiful Packaging

1. Packaging serves several purposes:

Protecting the product – Packages are necessary for fragile items that cannot be shipped, stored and displayed without proper protection.

Easy storage and distribution – It’s easier to store and distribute boxes than the actual product itself.

Deterring theft – Many packages have security sensors to protect against shop lifting. If a product wasn’t packaged, wouldn’t it be easier to steal?

Displaying the product – Barbie dolls would not look as cool if they were not displayed so well in their packages.

2. The articles suggest that packaging design is wasteful and not environmentally friendly. Many products have too much packaging resulting in waste. Plastic bags are not necessary when there are ways to reduce excess. Consumers can use reusable bags and producers can use more simplistic recyclable packaging. Producers can also start to utilize packaging that can be recycled immediately by the consumer, meaning it is something that the consumer can reuse for something else, like a sturdy container, not just something that has only one purpose. This would reduce trash. Germany’s plan creates a good incentive for producers to consider their packaging problems and might influence them to design more reusable packages.