Excessive Consumption

The Myth of Overpackaging: You're Just Buying More Junks

With the evolution of modern technology, a variety of products have become more advanced, and packaging has become increasingly complicated – even to the point of exaggeration - the gift boxes are full of design, ingenuity, and elegance – However, have you ever thought that these packages are fillers which are often several times larger than the item itself. In fact, consumers just buy more junks. Moreover, the damage caused by “excess-packaging” to the earth is far greater than we imagined. Although packaging aims to attach importance to “etiquette,” overpackaging is often one of the world’s leading sources of waste, and most of the packaging materials end up in landfills. According to research, for more than 50% of modern products, the item itself is almost less than half of the packaging, which means that in addition buying a new product, consumers also have to throw away a bunch of packaging materials. The culture of convenience is often the main cause of over-packaging trend, with stores like Amazon, Costco, etc., often selling a variety of single-packed items in bulk quantities. Moderate packaging may be necessary. However, excessive packaging can easily mislead consumers. What's more, many packaging costs exceed 30% of the product price, and this invisible packaging cost is often reflected in the price of the products.

Excessive packaging is a waste of resources.

About 30% to 40% of municipal waste is packaging waste.

Overpackaging has a huge impact on the environment

The packaging materials of product are mostly paper, plastic, glass, iron, and aluminum. The raw materials for the production of these materials mainly come from forests, petroleum, etc., and the manufacturing process consumes a lot of water resources. Moreover, the recovery rate of such materials is astonishingly low. Time reported that according to the latest issue of the scientific journal, since the Industrial Revolution in 1950, more than 9.1 billion tons of plastics have been produced globally. If the waste that is not properly disposed of in Manhattan is accumulated, the garbage can be stacked to a depth of 3.2 km. The annual plastic production has increased from 2 million tons in 1950 to 440 million tons in 2015. LA Times indicated that plastic cannot be decomposed in nature like other substances. Therefore, up to 3/4 of plastic waste is accumulated in garbage landfills, there are more garbage scattered on land, sinking in the depths of the ocean, and in lakes. Once the garbage is accidently eaten by other creatures, it is often a dead end to them.

The packaging waste is also polluting the environment.

Overconsumption is a waste of natural resources and energy.

Overpackaging is only selling vanity

Christmas is a joyful holiday that many people value and look forward to happily celebrating with their families and beloved one. Many friends and family exchange gifts and look forward to different surprises. For businessmen, this is an unmissable sales opportunity. Businessmen offer a variety of gifts, embellishing the atmosphere of the end of the year. During the festivals, giving gifts may be for the purpose of building relationships or the purpose of etiquette. The gift boxes with packaging materials that look fancy, delicate, and elegant symbolize joy and delicacy, and giving such gifts reflects generosity. For sellers, the exquisite appearance and gorgeous carvings are a major factor attracting consumers to buy the products. Therefore, overpackaging continues to increase rather than decrease.

People's excessive consumption is causing serious plastic waste and marine ecological problems.

Some stores have started to reduce packaging in the sales process.

References:

Global Views Monthly 35https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/41356

Image Source:

foresight35https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/41356
Urbanismhttps://city.gvm.com.tw/article/75721

Our islandhttps://reurl.cc/ZX7j83

< Top >

Page updated

Report abuse