topic Re: How much packaging does it take? in Suggestion Box

How much packaging does it take?

imashopin — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 02:56:18 GMT

How about cutting down on over-done packaging in the interest of saving a tree or? The attached picture shows what I ordered on the right, and how it came packaged (2 small boxes in 2 small boxes in the huge box.) Most cardboard is NOT being recycled these days; there is just too much of it. I would feel better if there were not so much waste. Times this by thousands and.... well, you understand what I am getting at....

Thank you much!!

Re: How much packaging does it take?

willomenia — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:12:43 GMT

@imashopin wrote:
How about cutting down on over-done packaging in the interest of saving a tree or? The attached picture shows what I ordered on the right, and how it came packaged (2 small boxes in 2 small boxes in the huge box.) Most cardboard is NOT being recycled these days; there is just too much of it. I would feel better if there were not so much waste. Times this by thousands and.... well, you understand what I am getting at....
Thank you much!!

Who cares? Companies are damned if they do, damned if they don't. Get over it, it's boxes

Re: How much packaging does it take?

Desertdi — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:38:17 GMT

@imashopin I get shipments from Amazon just like the pic you posted. Not only is it a waste of paper products.....

I can spend half a day trying to get these things OPEN....armed with a box cutter, a huge scissors, and a fireman's screwdriver.

I have no idea what kind of GLUE is on those things, either.....and I am tired of struggling with packages that could survive an atomic blast. di

Re: How much packaging does it take?

moonandthestars — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:54:45 GMT

@Desertdi @willomenia @imashopin

There a lot of over packaging and a lot of under packaging. Hard to know what the answer is, but I prefer overpackaged. Things need to be packaged with care, there's a lot of damage that can happen along the way. Seems like shippers are rougher on shipped goods these days. Damaged goods also equals waste.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

rms1954 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:59:03 GMT

Lot's of people care; obviously important to the OP.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

moonandthestars — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 04:44:04 GMT

@Desertdi I have a hard time opening those smaller priority mail boxes. That glue is so strong and mostly there aren't those regular seams that would usually be there on normal boxes so there's really no good place to cut. Very frustrating.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

RespectLife — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:56:49 GMT

We reuse or recycle all our cardboard boxes.

I'd rather receive my item IN one piece!!

Re: How much packaging does it take?

We rescue cats — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:20:55 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
Lot's of people care; obviously important to the OP.

I'm one of those who care. It bugs me to open a box that is filled with airbags and a tube of lipstick. I always send a note saying so to the sender, asking them to be responsible with our planet's resources.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

cjm61 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:54:23 GMT

I understand what you are saying @imashopin . But, depending on what is shipped in the box, it could be worse for the environment should something inside break or be destroyed and have to be replaced.

It looks to me like the PTR TSV. If so, a large glass bottle, a smaller glass bottle, as well as whatever other item you have there, would all need to be replaced. For me, I prefer my item arrive safe, regardless of how many boxes. We recycle, and I prefer not to have to replace items, even one lipstick, it can be a hassle to contact the seller and deal with it as well as worse for the environment.

What perturbs me the most is when I order from Ebay or similar sites and they tape the entire bag, or extra tape on a box, and the item is an apparel or delicate item . You have to use scissors to cut it to get it open and you worry about slicing the garment.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

software — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:38:55 GMT

If the various delivery service companies, USPS, Amazon, FedEx, etc would treat the packages better we wouldn't need all the excess packaging.

I sell items online, mostly collectible glass & pottery pieces. I have to double box everything and use a ton of bubble wrap & other cushioning supplies. My pieces are not terribly fragile but when boxes get thrown, kicked, stepped on, you have to prepare for anything.

Recently a family member purchased a laptop from Q. You could see the footprint on the box, obviously it was damaged. He sent it back, asking for a replacement. You guessed it, the 2nd shipment was damaged. I think he has since asked for a refund. To clarify, the laptop itself was damaged both times.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:59:26 GMT

Those boxes would be great for people moving. Post them on a buy nothing fb group. As long as they are used over and over, that's not being wasteful but helpful for those who can use them. Just a way to see it differently.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

SamBrown — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:40:44 GMT

@imashopin wrote:
How about cutting down on over-done packaging in the interest of saving a tree or? The attached picture shows what I ordered on the right, and how it came packaged (2 small boxes in 2 small boxes in the huge box.) Most cardboard is NOT being recycled these days; there is just too much of it. I would feel better if there were not so much waste. Times this by thousands and.... well, you understand what I am getting at....
Thank you much!!

@imashopin If you cared that much you wouldn't have all this "stuff" shipped to your home.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

geezerette — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:24:34 GMT

I've received more packages that don't have enough packing material, rather than too much.

Re: How much packaging does it take?

loriqvc — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:01:29 GMT

I order a lot of items for delivery, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've received a shipment with too much packaging, but I'd never bother taking the time to count all the shipments I've received without enough packaging. Amazon has become particularly inept in this area, resulting in many, many returns just from me due to items that arrived damaged because they felt a poly bag was sufficient protection. I often find that QVC does an excellent job of shipping multiple items in a single box, even when my initial reaction may be negative when I get a notification of a combined shipment.

I do my best to reuse or recycle all the packaging that comes my way, and it is really much easier than some people may think—as others have noted, even if recycling isn't an option, somebody in some local group is inevitably in need of various sizes of boxes for moving, shipping, storage, or even just cardboard. Buffer materials like bubble wrap and air pillows are also useful in a variety of applications. (But don't get me started on styrofoam peanuts! Styrofoam is of the devil. )

Re: How much packaging does it take?

Desert Lily — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:58:15 GMT

Some people need to have their items delivered and are unable to go out shopping. And many retailers no longer carry everything in stock that people need. I think deliveries are here to stay.

I'm also one who cares about the waste in excess packaging. I wish items would get packed right, not big. We have a limited supply of natural resources, and IMO they should be used wisely. Perhaps new technology or better training on shipping would help?

When I have received a large box that's difficult to cut down, I use water. In good weather, I take it out to the driveway and hose the large box. Then it's really easy to tear into small pieces. Last winter, I put a large box in the bathtub and got it wet.

*I originally got the idea to wet large boxes on these boards about 4 years ago. I still appreciate that poster.