Packaging Peeves
Okay, I’ve probably mentioned before about excessive packaging in Japan. But the U.S. is not without its wastefulness in this area. What I speak of is the Giant Plastic Casing for the Small Electronic or Other Item. The batteries I bought for my new camera the other day are a good example. If you note the total package on the right, six AA batteries came in a plastic case about 20 inches tall. Now exactly why is that? It’s not just this, either. Music CDs sometimes come in a case twice as big as the CD, for example. Lots of items here nowadays seem to come in the oversized casings.
But that’s not the worst part. The worst part is the Hard Plastic Casing From Hell. You know what I’m talking about. The thick plastic casing heat-pressed together around the item, usually unnecessarily beveled around the edges, which keeps the oversized packaging stiff. It’s about as hard to open as any packaging I can imagine. You can’t just pull it apart, and cutting it open, even with heavy shears, is a near-impossible task. And it’s not just with the oversized casing, it often comes in smaller sizes as well. Whose bright idea was this, anyway? Sure, it makes it impossible for one to get pre-opened merchandise without it going back to the factory for re-casing. But hell, if you want to assure factory freshness, just put a tape seal or something on the damn thing, don’t make it so that you need one of those giant James-Bond-Villain lasers to slice it open.
Um, Luis, it keeps people from being able to steal the stuff.
Seriously, if you look at what’s in those types of containers in the US, it’s frequently things that would fit relatively easily in someone’s pocket, purse, or under some clothes; it’s usually something worth at least a few bucks; and you frequently see the packaging in stores like Costco where their margins are razor thin and they’re trying to keep losses from theft at an absolute minimum.
Now, don’t get me wrong- none of this makes me hate that packaging any less. I despise it; I can’t count how many times I’ve managed to slice my fingers on the packaging (those edges, when you’re breaking it open, are often intensely sharp!).
But I think there are some reasons for the packaging that make sense.
Paul
Enumclaw, WA
One word: Shoplifting
Then it’s a very poor solution. Why not do what is done both in Japan and America–either put valuables like that behind glass, or just display a chit-like substitute, which can be exchanged at a counter. Both of these solutions are at play at Costco, where I also bought the batteries.
Also, shoplifting may explain the oversized cases, but not the form-fitting cases which are similarly packed in thick, unbreakable plastic.
I see your points, but I just believe it is a very, very poor solution to the problem.
I just made a post on my blog about this as well — listed a few others that are also experincing this issue. It’s completely crazy how much plastic is being wasted and how much effort it takes to open something you purchase. I wonder how long before the first lawsuit over a hard-to-open package injury