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It seems pretty straight forward to avoid packaging but I am continuously astounded by the number of new products arriving in supermarkets with unnecessary packaging particularly during a time we know we need to be cutting back on our excess consumption of energy and resources.
Last week I found the “latest greatest” means of packaging sugar (see photo) which for centuries been been successfully packaged in simple waxed paper but is now sold by one company in a milk type carton with a plastic pouring lid.
What especially concerns me about this packet of sugar is that it is easy to be mislead and distracted from the packaging itself by its “friendly to the planet” Fairtrade label and support from the Sugar Foundation.
Yes the packaging may be recyclable but the truth of the matter is that far more energy and resources has gone into producing this package and will be needed to recycle it than it’s waxed paper predecessor. It is essentially a gimmicky marketing strategy to try and sell more sugar than its competitors.
What you can do?
Besides avoiding such overly and unnecessarily packaged products you can go one step further by contacting companies and supermarkets who are supplying products this way and express your concerns (obviously in a non threatening, calm and assertive manner). Most products will have a customer-service number on the product itself or a internet search will help you find the addresses and phone numbers you will need.
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