Excessive Product Packaging
KEY POINTS
The authors purpose in this article is to inform us on how manufactures are using way too much on their packaging. Over-packaging causes a big toll on the environment, environmental and financial costs. There are three layers to packaging: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary is the only packaging that is needed. Secondary and tertiary is not needed and is thrown out most of the time. To prevent over-packaging, there must be laws that govern packaging. Particular laws are not effective if they stand alone. Consumers could push the manufacturers for green packaging. We need to stop over packing when it is useless in every way and is just costing us more money.
MY THOUGHTS
After reading this article it really made me think about what I buy and how many thinks that are packaged and unneeded i throw away. We can make a better alternative to everything we throw away and I believe that that is what we should be doing.I believe that manufacturers should rethink their packaging. If they reduce their packaging, they can save money financially and environmentally.I think there should be laws that give companies incentives for using less packaging or using green packaging.It made me think so much about all the items we purchase that contain so much packaging and all goes to waste. We need to educate everyone on these types of problems!
- Over-packaged product causes a big toll on the environment as the product packaging is discarded quickly, ending up in landfills
- Resource and wastage problems relating to packaging are significant because of products that are overdressed for no other reason but to please the eye.
- There is certainly no better time to rethink the way consumers consume and producers produce.
- Packaging performs the role of representing the brand
- Eco-design can be fully applied to packaging.
- The rest is a question of reusing and recycling as much as possible with disposing at landfills as the last resort.
- Committing fully towards green consumerism requires government support.
- Government intervention is necessary as producers and consumer initiatives are not enough and most often are limited by cost considerations.
- Laws governing how product packaging should be proportional to actual product
- Laws are critical in setting up the right framework in which green consumerism can take place, particular laws are not effective if they stand alone.
- Objectives must be consistent and agreed upon by all supply chain parties.
- Besides financial penalties, there should be financial subsidies.
- Subsidies can act as a short-term initiative or a kickstart measure
- Subsidies are theoretically problematic as ultimately the government should play the role of supervisor and regulator while the cost of disposal and recycling is inevitably placed on manufacturers and consumers
- 'User pays' principle that sustains green consumerism
- Besides complying with legal requirements, brand owners and manufacturers have to cater to customer demands.
- Consumer awareness on environmental conservation is increasing.
- Brand owners initiatives have been shot down by cost constraints
- The challenge is to shift the emphasis to making clever innovative packaging designs that are simple, attractive, distinguishable and able to embody the brand's message
- One thought experiment or area of consumer research that can be done involves determining what part of the packaging is likely to be immediately disposed by consumers even if the product is to be stored away.
- Packaging layers are distinguished into primary, secondary and tertiary.
- Primary directly houses and protects the product
- Secondary and tertiary layers are intermediate and exterior layers.
- Consumers almost always discard secondary and tertiary layers while keeping primary layer.
- There are concerns that environmentally friendly materials are more expensive, such concerns can be countered with clever utilization and minimization of materials.
The authors purpose in this article is to inform us on how manufactures are using way too much on their packaging. Over-packaging causes a big toll on the environment, environmental and financial costs. There are three layers to packaging: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary is the only packaging that is needed. Secondary and tertiary is not needed and is thrown out most of the time. To prevent over-packaging, there must be laws that govern packaging. Particular laws are not effective if they stand alone. Consumers could push the manufacturers for green packaging. We need to stop over packing when it is useless in every way and is just costing us more money.
MY THOUGHTS
After reading this article it really made me think about what I buy and how many thinks that are packaged and unneeded i throw away. We can make a better alternative to everything we throw away and I believe that that is what we should be doing.I believe that manufacturers should rethink their packaging. If they reduce their packaging, they can save money financially and environmentally.I think there should be laws that give companies incentives for using less packaging or using green packaging.It made me think so much about all the items we purchase that contain so much packaging and all goes to waste. We need to educate everyone on these types of problems!