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Wasteful & Dangerous Packaging

Discussion in 'Nature/Habitat/Garden Corner' started by Kaosdad, Oct 29, 2007.

  1. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    I am putting this here as the subject has an impact on the environment. Feel free to move if appropriate.

    <rant>

    This weekend I purchased The CIV IV add on "Beyond the Sword" (PC Games) and a new electric tooth brush. At the same time I purchased two prime examples of Wasteful & Dangerous Packaging.

    WASTEFUL:
    The CIV IV packaging was as follows:

    - A cardboard sleeve with box art & all that other stuff printed on it
    - A plastic "book case" CD case (About the size of a large format paperback) with a clear pocket for the color box art
    - The color box art - an exact copy of the outer cardboard sleeve
    - A cellophane wrapper around said plastic box
    - 2 CDs
    - 1 manual
    - 1 paper "catalog"

    8 items total - you've seen it - it's how they package most PC Games.

    Of those 8 items THREE (2 CDs and manual) were not sent to the re-cycling bins.

    Why do we need so much packaging around this? A simple, color printed, cardboard box just big enough square to hold the CDs and the re-formatted manual, factory sealed on each end would be MORE THAN SUFFICIENT to hold the product. Heck - you could even drop in an RFID anti-theft tag!!!!!



    DANGEROUS:
    The toothbrush came appropriately packaged for electronic equipment that would be damaged if dropped. However, that was all sealed in a thick, clear plastic, heat welded shell that I had to use my boot knife on to get open. I almost sliced my hand off getting into the thing!!!!! You’ve sent his also – it’s the same garbage the use to pack batteries, small parts like USB drives and memory cards for digital cameras. Costco even sells flashlight packs like this. There is no easy way to get into them and once you cut the package open the plastic is sharp enough to cause some real damage!

    This has GOT to stop - it's wasteful, dangerous and unnecessary.

    I had the (probably bad) idea of taking such packaging and sending it back to the company that produced the product. Like the game packaging would go back to Firaxis and the toothbrush shell would go back to Oral-B with a note explaining exactly why it was coming back.

    So, my point here is – what can we do to put an end to this? Any realistic ideas?

    </rant>
     
  2. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    Yeah I agree. I thought I heard a report that when companies began using that thicker plastic packaging ER's saw an increase of visits due to people seriously cutting themselves on the sharp edges.

    I bought a memory card last weekend and it took me almost 10 minutes to open it.

    There has got to be a better way!
     
  3. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    homeland security should hire whoever makes that crap to secure the borders... lol
     
  4. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    QFE!!!
     
  5. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    Do you have kids? You should see what the packages toys come in nowadays. For xmas and birthdays we have handy:

    1. Large scissors
    2. Wire cutters
    3. Sharp pocket knife

    Just to open them and remove the toys. Its bad enough the entire thing is almost always encased in hard plastic, but every toy inside is bound to the cardboard with many wire ties.
     
  6. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    yeah the kids toys packaging are freakin ridiculous.... probably takes the chinese more time to package it than make the actual toy! those and the blister packaging are the worst!
     
  7. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    OK, we all agree this has to stop. So, let's form a plan of attack - I say we lobby Congress, or go sit in Congress' lobby.
     
  8. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    better yet- let's send every congressperson a recalled go diego go doll still wrapped in that awful packaging! i bet the packaging COSTS more than the crappy toy within as well- goo dgrief charlie brown!
     
  9. merky1

    merky1 Member

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    I think the worst part about this packaging is half the time the packaging is stronger, and has more content than the item itself.
     
  10. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately most of the items are packaged that way to avoid damage and to keep the product in tact. On another note - I order through catalogs but hate it when they ship my items individually in a huge box stuffed with styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap. So now, I ask them how items are shipped and if they tell me it's shipped separately if they do not have it in the warehouse then I go elsewhere. Or, I specifically ask that all items be contained in one box with minimum packaging. Many happily comply!
     
  11. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Bubble wrap is great! Keeps daddy and daughter entertained for a while ;)

    As for the peanuts, most of them these days are actually made of biodegradable starch. Put them in a bucket, pour water on them, let it dissolve and pour the water on your grass or elsewhere in your yard...
     

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