environmentalism






 

Question by  elsewhen (627)

Why do they use so much packaging on most products at the supermarket?

almost every product i see at the store could use at least 1/2 the packaging... aside from being bad for the environment, aren't the manufacturers losing money producing all this excess packaging?

 
+8

Answer by  andaman (240)

The excessive packaging that is now ubiquitous derived from testing. Manufacturers realized that attractively packaged goods sold better than less attractive ones - enough to make up for the extra cost. Now that elaborate packaging is commonplace, all manufacturers are forced to participate in the "arms race."

Reply by tschebyshev (252):
I think the only way that this cycle is going to be broken is if there is some legislation that limits the amount of allowable packaging. Ideally, some industry groups could self-regulate, but I don't sense enough consumer uproar to make this viable yet.  add a comment
 
+3

Answer by  Anster (47)

My answer to that is to acknowledge that packaging is a form of advertising and brand reinforcement for the companies and producers. This applies particularly to the outer design and packaging, of course, but the type of packaging (box or bag, layers, size and shape) are all factors as well. I think that's a major factor.

 
+2

Answer by  jo (14)

This could be because they are attempting to prevent damage during shipping to the store. Another reason is so that their product is not so easy for people to shoplift. This is true especially for toys with many pieces and electronics.

 
+2

Answer by  caringguy (40)

The reason they use so much packaging on products is purely psychological. They are secretly ashamed of their product, whether this is reasonable or not, and have the psychological urge to cover this shame up through use of exorbitant packaging. What they fail to realize is that this packaging has absolutely no significant effect on sales.

 
You have 50 words left!