Did you know that the packaging on the mini iPod is bigger in surface that the electronic gem itself? Packaging certainly takes a lot of volume in shipping, trucking, and storing. It also takes a lot of room in the recycling and/or the garbage bin. When you take home a shiny new product, sometimes the excessive packaging is just hard to ignore. Sure it protects the product and helps in the marketing but what about the environmental impact of such packaging? We all know where the packing goes after we bring the goods home. Shoe boxes are the packing to recycle. There are lots of uses for shoe boxes, just wait until next Christmas.

A lot of the paper containers go directly to the recycle box. That is if you happen to live where communal recycling is practice. If you don't, the paper goes right into the garbage and the landfill (or dump). The plastics parts of the packaging may end up in the garbage or recycling. Depending on what number they wear for recyclables. The Styrofoam pellets or mold usually go to the garbage. Many places are not yet equipped to recycle such material. Styrofoam has done wonders for the packing and shipping because it is so light. It is also breaks down into complex toxic subparts. It is also easily picked up by the wind and scattered to the wilds or distant shores. Styrofoam debris may be consumed by wildlife such as sea turtles or fish.

A more environmentally benign product is needed in the shipping and packing industry. An environmentally friendlier product than Styrofoam would go some distance in saving the planet.

The mainstay of packaging and shipping is still the cardboard box and molds. Yet packing molds are increasing made of Styrofoam.

Cardboard products are great things and can be recycled a number of times to paper products but they have their demands from and on the planet. Paper is by and large made from trees or shrubs a more environmental friendly product is need to replace the extremely versatile paper. How about just using less?

Even egg containers are going to the way of petroleum by product packing. That from recycled paper. When at the grocery store, snub the eggs in clear plastic in favor of the paper clad ones. If enough people made your choice their choice, the grocer, the distributer, and the packer will notice. Some fish stores and grocers also package the fish in plastic or Styrofoam instead of the paper wrap. It may be lack of supply or just ignorance. Mention that you would prefer the more environmentally destructive wrapping.

Could packing save the earth? Probably not, but it could stop adding to the problem. In addition your decisions at the shops may make a difference.

Learn more about this author, Jobie Weetaluktuk.
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