More Companies Rebelling Against Annoying Plastic Packaging

from the about-time dept

A few weeks ago, Amazon announced a program to push for more customer-friendly packaging — specifically moving away from those impossible to open plastic clamshell bubble packs that have a way of encouraging excessive swearing (and injuries) from consumers trying to open them. The good news, however, is that many retailers and manufacturers all agree that it’s time to end that practice and to move towards more reasonable packaging solutions. It’s about time.

Filed Under: , , ,

Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “More Companies Rebelling Against Annoying Plastic Packaging”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
35 Comments
interval says:

Re: Next week's headline

No. Its not a mere matter of 20 seconds with a pair of scissors. Its never taken me less than 2 or 3 minutes to open that packaging and its almost always caused me some minor injury and in more than one case cuts. I swear every time I have to open one of those things. You MUST be a shill for the packaging industry. I can’t think of ANY good reason for a valid consumer to praise that stuff. None at all.

So you never need to open a package right after you’ve bought it or you always carry scissor with you I presume?

I’m glad they’re looking at doing away with that nonsense. About time.

Chronno S. Trigger says:

Re: Re:

It’s not just opening them that’s a problem (I just use the scissor trick mentioned earlier) but the dumb ass return policies at stores now. You rip one of those things open, the store more than likely isn’t going to accept it as a return.

I always figured that is why they started using the bubble package, not to deter theft (it doesn’t) but to stop the returning of open items.

Alan says:

Amazon was the company who started this. They are mainly, if not completely, online bases and do not have to worry about theft. It’s okay for them to make easy access packaging but nation wide; businesses lose around $16M a year in theft. If companies lose less money in theft they can afford to charge lower prices.

I would be happy if they were trying to find more environment-friendly ways to package, but not if it promotes easier theft.

seatec says:

Sorry but if you are either to lazy or to dense to figure out that a simple pair of scissors can easily open those package them maybe you shouldnt have bought the item in the first place. Besides, there are nifty little gadgets out there designed specifically to open those packages. You wouldnt open a can of beans with your bare hands, would you?
Lets evolve and use the tools that we have. Primates do!

6 YO at Christmas says:

What are you opening?

The people saying it is easy to open packages probably haven’t tried opening stuff that is popular and for younger kids.

I’ve opened Bratz packages and similar stuff for my niece. It is _nothing_ like more normal stuff. The plastic is 2-3 times thicker than most packaging and double or triple sealed. The toy is attached by 8-12 thick wire twists to another thick piece of plastic and maybe cardboard.

I had trouble getting a sharp knife into it that I normally use to just hack the end off packages.

Caleb says:

I hate blister packaging as much as the next guy. BUT, there is a fairly easy solution. I’ve seen it implemented once, and it worked amazingly! On the back of the blister packaging was perforation punched into the clamshell plastic, and a finger hole to work your finger in. Insert finger into the package, pull, and the back of the package is ripped off. It was loud (theft deterrent) but convenient!

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...