Causation

=__Is Food Packaging a Problem? -Perspectives & Responsibility__ = = = =The Case of Too Much Packaging -Perspective= CPE After years of faithful service, my laptop mouse finally called it quits and is now fated to be recycled at the next local electronic waste event. After considering the options, I ordered a shiny, new, cordless, laser mouse through Amazon. It's a Logitech VX Nano. The name Nano refers to the size, and the mouse is indeed small and portable. In fact, the small size is precisely what makes my only complaint about this peripheral so ironic: It came with a HUGE amount of __packaging__. Everything inside the box, including the totally non-breakable fabric pouch and thin user's manual, were contained in their own little boxes. I was able to recycle Amazon's cardboard shipping container, but all of the Logitech packaging is laminated paper, some of which has an additional layer of plastic fused to it, making it non-recyclable in my area. Moreover, none of the packaging is made from recycled materials. I've taken a photo of the mouse and the array of shiny paper to illustrate my point. Near the bottom of the image, you can see the mouse itself sitting on top of the user's manual. The rest is instant landfill fodder. This kind of packaging is outdated and wasteful. Logitech and many other tech companies, please don't burden future generations with piles of trash. There is already too much. It's time to switch to environmentally friendly packaging!

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=Too Much Packaging? = ="Absolutely" Say Consumers - Perspective & Reponsibilities= A large majority (86%) of New Zealanders are concerned by the amount of packaging waste they have to deal with, according to a new poll* "Packaging Waste in NZ" released today. Wanaka Wastebusters Campaigner Angus Ho said the results clearly show that people are sick of over-packaging and want minimal packaging that they can reuse and recycle. Nearly all the people surveyed (94%) said they want to choose packaging they can reuse or recycle. "This poll shows New Zealanders really care about the impact that packaging waste has on the environment . The vast majority (81%) always make the effort to recycle packaging when they get home. Mr Ho said unfortunately a lot of packaging waste can't be reused or recycled, so there is no alternative but to send it to the dump . He said that, as the Government is not implementing mandatory product stewardship schemes, the burden of packaging waste is left with the end consumer. "You have to ask yourself why in this age companies are still using out-dated packaging which is going to end up in the landfill. There is no excuse, and there is no consumer support for that kind of packaging." "Given the comments we got from people on the street, we're about to tap into a well of discontent. Many people seized on the chance to talk about the packaging that annoys them," said Mr Ho. The most concerning issue for New Zealanders was over-packaging (78%), followed by greenwash claims (73%) , no reusable or recyclable option (70%) and poor labeling (63%). "Blister packs ( cardboard backing with a plastic cover ) were very unpopular because not only can you not recycle them, you can't get into them either. "Composite soft-drink cans which mix plastic and metal were also disliked because they can't be recycled in New Zealand." Mr Ho said an interesting finding from the survey was that only 10% of respondents always checked whether packaging can be recycled before they buy it, even though more than 80% always recycled at home. "All products should have minimal, reusable and recyclable packaging. That should be the producers' job. The responsibility clearly lies with the producers. "It shouldn't be up to consumers to have to track down products with best practice packaging when they're standing in front of a supermarket shelf. "The consumers' job is simple - to recycle and reuse when they get home. O ur survey showed that the consumers are holding up their end, but there are a lot of producers who are letting everyone down with over -packaging, green-was h claims about packaging and non-recyclable packaging. Based on the survey results Wanaka Wastebusters urges: National Government - investigate the introduction of a program like th e European Packaging Directive's Green Dot compliance system which has been running successfully since 2004. Producers and Manufacturers - provide produ cts minimal packaging that can be reused over and over again and can then be recycled. Retailer and Consumers - use their power to choose products with minimal, reusable and recyclable packaging. Send an email or letter to manufacturers and producers to ask them to change their packaging to be minimal and recyclable. "We are going to s end this survey report to the Government, the Packaging Council and major producers and we're looking forward to their response." Wanaka Wastebusters will be tapping into consumer discontent around packaging by asking for nominations for the "worst packaging" awards early next year. Mr Ho said there will also be a "best packaging" co mpetition to recognise companies who make an extra effort to package their products with the environment in mind. The winner will be chosen by the public through an online vote. The website which will host the competition will also provide in depth information about good and bad packaging to help inform consumers. Wanaka Wastebusters will put on a travelling road-show in April 2011 to raise awareness around packaging waste, and excite people about the competition.

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