John Mark C.

Saburao Environmental Technology and Management

BS Chem-5H1 August 15, 2017
Reducing Packaging: Is It a Wrap?

1. Can you think of three products for which you would not want to see less packaging?
Why?
Three products for which I would not want to see less packaging are: (1) appliances
e.g. refrigerators, TV’s, etc., (2) gadgets e.g. mobile phones, laptops, etc., and (3) glasswares.
More packaging of these products is necessary because these products are delicate. They may
appear to have unnecessary packaging but they may be because we are not aware of the
stresses and strains of the distribution system. Moreover, the packaging of these products
provides the kind of protection they need. These products may need to have different layers
of packaging, made of different materials to withstand crushing, exposure to extreme
temperature changes and moisture as well as vibration during stacking, docking or delivery.
In the end, who would want to drink wine from a broken goblet or use a laptop with its screen
cracked?

2. Can you name three products for which packaging could easily be reduced without ill
effects to the consumer? Why?
Some of the products for which I think packaging could easily be reduced without ill
effects to the consumers are: (1) junkfoods/snack chips e.g. potato chips, corn chips, etc., (2)
powdered laundry detergents e.g. Ariel, Surf, etc., and (3) powdered drinks and beverages
e.g. 3-in-1 coffees (Néscafe), milk powders (Bear Brand). I think the packaging of these
products should be reduced primarily because practically speaking, it seems that the
packaging of these products is way too much for the products to contain. When you open the
packaging of these products, you see that the products occupy only a small volume or space
of the whole packaging which makes me think that the size of their packaging are just too big
for containment of these products, say, these products are somehow overpackaged. Secondly,
I think the overly sized packaging of these products would just make the product costs more.
Moreover, the way these products are packed are not environmentally friendly and
sustainable. After consuming these products, their packaging will just be thrown away and
will just add up to the ever-increasing problem of solid waste. Lastly, these wastes could be
more difficult to manage especially that most of these packaging are non-biodegradable
and/or non-recyclable.
3. Would you be any more or less likely to buy these products if they had less packaging?
Why?
Still, I would be more likely to buy these products if they had less packaging because,
first, I consider these products a necessity. I need food to satisfy my hunger and thirst. I need
these washing powders for cleansing and hygiene. Second, reducing the packaging of these
products would not mean lessening their values—a food would still remain a food for
consumption, a detergent would still remain a detergent for cleaning and washing clothes and
the packaging will still serve its purpose—to protect the product from contamination and
damages. Lastly, I would more likely to buy these products because in this way, I can reduce
my waste, help lessen the problem on solid waste and save money.