An inconvenient package

Research from The Nielsen Company shows that more than half of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment.

Personally, I would gladly give up all the inconvenient packaging companies insist on using.

PVC clamshell packaging is the bane of my existence. I’ve got a 4-year-old at home, and every new toy we purchase is hermetically sealed in impenetrable plastic. Why do they do this? Most companies will say it’s for marketing and security purposes. Consumers can see at a glance what they’re buying, and stores don’t have to worry about the packaging being mutilated.

That’s fine and good, but it’s certainly not convenient. Nor is it particularly green. When retailers are making buying decisions, I hope they’re also looking at the way merchandise is packaged. Less cumbersome and wasteful wrapping is better for everybody involved.

-- Sarah