Who doesn’t love bubble wrap? It’s the oldest form of fidget spinner and has been used for packaging for a very long time. But the fact is that packaging accounts for a huge percentage of solid waste and people have been pointing out that packaging is wasteful for a number of years now. Environmentalists have been talking about reducing packaging for a long time, but manufacturing companies just aren’t listening.
What’s In The Box?
When you see a box that big on your front porch, you would think that there would be something big and bulky inside. At first glance, this box looks completely empty. But when you look carefully you will realize it is holding a tiny strip of batteries. If this isn’t a case of excessive packaging then what is?
If Only Nature Got It Right
It’s hard to imagine how lazy some humans can be that manufacturers have to peel an orange and then pack it into a plastic package. Oranges naturally come with a peel, which is very easy to peel as well.
Guess What’s In There?
When you look at the big tin can package, you think that it’s going to be filled with Nerds. Or maybe a big bag that can barely fit into the can. But in reality, it holds just a small pack of lemonade wild cherry nerds. Why bother with the tin can in the first place?
Deception Much?
This isn’t just bad packaging, this is also fraud. What appears to be a glassful of gummy bears is just a false bottom cup with barely any gummy bears inside.
Someone Is Being A Bit Extra!
This one takes the cake for being extra. Each tomato, individually packed. It begs the question, WHY? Why would it be necessary to pack individual tomatoes?
Pallet For Pallet
So they have used a pallet to pack a pallet. At some point you have to wonder where does the packaging end and the product start? Perfect example of unnecessary extra packaging.
Lonely Jar
So someone packed one jar in a box that is meant to pack up to 9 jars. It’s not just a case of excessive packaging. It looks like someone wanted to send this jar looking lonely and desolate.
Nesting Doll Situation
Do you remember that childhood prank where people gift wrap items with multiple layers so that the recipient has to work hard to get to the gift? Looks like someone took that prank a little too seriously and packaged the candy in 3 layers. That’s smart.
Bananas About Bananas
This is no ordinary banana. It is a Cavendish banana. Hard to imagine who would need to know that. Also bananas come with a peel, so what is the need to individually vacuum seal each one?
Going A Bit Further
Remember how we wondered how lazy people need to be to have oranges peeled and packed? Whoever decided to pack these decided to go the extra step. They peeled the orange, they separated each finger and then packaged them up perfectly. How hard is it to peel an orange?
Delicate Care
How delicate must this charging cable be that it would warrant so much packaging? And that’s not all. At first glance it looks like the package is full of just air pillows. The recipient must have thought they sent them in an empty box.
Questioning Life’s Purpose
Okay, so if a big fat roll of bubble wrap needs to be packaged with an additional layer of packaging, then what is the point of having bubble wrap at all?
Oh, The Irony!
The fact that they have come up with handy portions is hilarious. But what’s funnier is their explanation for coming up with it. They say it is to have less waste. And yet they choose to have so much plastic for wrapping. Wow!
Extra Layers
Okay, packing meat properly is very important. But why are the chicken pieces wrapped in plastic, then packaged and then wrapped again? At some point someone has to realize this is excessive.
No Leaf Left Behind
Why would someone need to pack a single leaf? Like, how much demand does there have to be for a single lemon leaf that the manufacturer decided to package them individually? And to top that, it’s packed in a bag big enough to hold an entire basil plant!
Why Not Get Some From The Farmer’s Market?
Watermelons are great, especially in the summer heat. But who goes about buying pieces of water melon? You can always get uncut watermelon from the farmer’s market. That way you know exactly how fresh the product is and you help a local businessman.
How Unnecessary Is That?
Why would you ever need to pack a can of coke in a plastic case? What purpose would that serve? The cans keep the coke clean and fresh. Why would you put another layer on top of that?
Something Is Definitely Extra
The amount of plastic wrapping in each individual packet is way too much. And what’s even sadder is that there will be more plastic wrappers inside each of these little packets. So yeah, plenty of extra plastic.
Like A Tiny Island In The Sea!
This tiny USB device has been packaged with a boatload of plastic. Why can’t packaging be done more proportionately so that we don’t end up with so much wastage? This device could’ve been packaged with a quarter of the plastic used here.
Different, Yet Same
So this time, the USB device is packaged in a much smaller plastic case. So kudos to the manufacturer for getting that right. But that doesn’t mean everything is alright. This time, they over did it with the cardboard box in which the device was delivered in.
Extra Peel
What is it with people and oranges? Why can’t they just let them be? Why can’t oranges just be sold in their own peels with no plastic. Fruits can take care of themselves you know.
Disproportionate Much?
Probably one of the most disproportionate uses of plastic on this list, For this tiny thing, they have chosen to use a plastic bag of epic proportions. Do people not realize that there is no feasible way to dispose of plastic?
Just One Marker
If they used so many air pillows to send a single marker, imagine how many air pillows are used to send a whole bunch! We understand that making sure that the product reaches the customer in perfect shape is important. But at some point someone has to understand that this is excessive.
Marks And Spencer Being Extra
Yeah mangoes taste delicious and are often called the king of fruits. But surely no mango has so much vanity that it needs to be packaged with so much material. If you buy a dozen of these, you could end up with more garbage than nutrition!
Why Not Use A Forklift To Carry This?
First of all, this pic has to be really old because no one is buying 16GB flash drives anymore. Secondly, despite the fact that the packaging is for 3 drives instead of one, you can’t argue that this makes sense in any way!
Not You m&m’s
Who doesn’t love m&m’s? They are like little balls of happiness. But if they are packaged with so much material, it just means they are bringing a lot of pain for the environment.
What Are These Made Of?
How delicate are these gloves that they had to be shipped with so many air pillows? I am fairly certain they can’t “break”. So why not ship them with packaging that is in accordance with the gloves?
They Have Peels!
For the hundredth time, vegetables and fruits are found in nature in their own packing. They don’t need to be packed even more. Shallots and garlic have plenty of skin. So what is the point of this?
What’s The Point?
Teabags are great, just dip the bag in water or milk and you will have the perfect cup of tea ready in no time. However, the point of a teabag is that they are biodegradable. If you put them in a plastic baggy, you are making them pointless.
Bananas By The Weight
Yes, most of the produce is sold by the weight but bananas have always been sold by the dozen. Who doesn’t buy the entire bunch of bananas? This definitely isn’t what they meant by wrap your banana before you use it.
Systematic Problem
Looks like Marks & Spencer have a habit of over packing their items. We understand trying to maintain the quality of your product, but you can’t hurt the planet in the process. Who buys 1 pencil anyway?
Grossly Unnecessary
This isn’t just unnecessary, it is also gross. Who would want to buy a pre-peeled banana? Bananas come in their own skin and it’s easy to peel off. Why peel them and then wrap them in plastic?
Cute But At A Great Cost
No doubt the packaging is cute, but it is also completely unnecessary. Kiwis are delicious and fuzzy, why would you bother with peeling, cutting and then packing them again? Doesn’t that make the whole process redundant?
Strawberry Field
So they have packed strawberries like they are some sort of jewelry! Yes strawberries are delicious and juicy, but wasting so much packaging on them makes no sense.
Sheath Bigger Than The Sword
This seems like a packaging error, more than packaging stupidity. Looks like someone has packed a small knife in the packaging for a much bigger knife. However, if it is a case of packaging stupidity, then this is probably one of the worst ever.
Apples Or Balls?
Tennis balls have been packaged this way for years. However, someone has decided that they should pack apples like this as well. What is it with people wanting to pack produce in plastic?
Are These Needles Made Of Glass?
We get that people want to make sure that the product is shipped safe and sound. But a product that isn’t particularly fragile shouldn’t be packed with so many air pillows, when the job could be easily done with just a few of them.
Can You Find The Bulb?
Did you find the bulb yet? If not, don’t fret over it. That’s because there is no actual bulb. It is an LED that is fit inside the device. So the rest of the packing is just a waste.
Another Nesting Doll Situation
Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. All that packaging just for 1 tablet. It might not look like a huge deal for 1 item. But if you consider the scale at which these would be produced and how much waste would be generated, you will realize how wrong this is!
Way Off The Wall
Look at the box that contains the shoes. Now look at the box that contains the small box. Do you understand how disproportionate this is? The box could’ve been packaged with a lot less material while still preventing any damage to the shoes.
“Individually Vacuum Sealed”
Garlic is found in nature with a very easy-to-peel skin that is biodegradable. The idea of peeling them off and then vacuum sealing each clove makes the entire process redundant. Why are you humans getting so dependent on plastic?
Stupidity
The funny thing is, when questioned, the store responded that this was done to eliminate the guesswork of ripeness and to keep the product fresh while avoiding any browning. How smart is that?
I’m Not Lovin’ It
When big companies make such mistakes, it gets more attention than when smaller businesses do this. Here, they gave a side order of extra bacon in this huge container.
Irony Is Dead
So they are selling organic eggs, which is a good thing because organic food is good for you. However, if you are packing that food in plastic, you are just undoing the good you wanted to do with organic goods.
Wax On Wax Off
Another case of irony. They are marketing their limes as “unwaxed”. And that is a good thing, because you shouldn’t get waxed produce. But when you pack that in plastic, you are essentially undoing exactly what you are marketing.
Tic Tac in Tic Tac
This is a novelty product, but you have to understand that this is not acceptable. There is just so much plastic in this. It is hazardous and has to be avoided.
Unnecessary
Okay, so this is not as bad as some of the others. Only because the extra packaging looks like it is either paper or a cheese cloth. If it had been plastic it would have been worse. However, this is still excessive as putting layers between each individual piece of bread makes no sense at all.
Worst Packaging Ever?
This is like playing Where’s Waldo. The recipient had to go through several boxes and other packaging material to get to the actual product. And it turns out it was just a small battery that was packed in all of this.
Blasphemy
Who sells wine by the glass? And who buys it by the glass? It makes absolutely no sense to increase the plastic waste by so much for a weird marketing gimmick.
Socks Made Of Glass?
Are these 3 pairs of socks made of brittle glass? They were packed with so many air pillows that you would surely think so. This is totally unnecessary as socks don’t need that much padding because they can take a lot of shock without trouble.
I Can’t Even
So plastic and metal cans are being packed in plastic wrap. Wow! What would that ever accomplish? Don’t you think this is grossly redundant? The first packaging is enough to keep the product safe and hygienic.
Why Are Herbs Treated So Delicately?
If any of you don’t recognize what this is, you should know it is lemon grass. However, for 2 strands of lemongrass this is just way too much plastic. You could pack a whole bunch of lemongrass in there.
Who Bears The Cost Of These?
Now here a good question has been raised. Who bears the cost of all this fancy packing? Surely 4 potatoes don’t need to be plastic wrapped and have a Christmas ornament sent with them.
They Don’t Carrot All
Packing carrots individually in plastic wrap is being very insensitive to the whole situation. Consider the bigger picture. How much plastic waste would be generated by a ton of these carrots? Now that’s scary.
Bread Fiasco
Whose bright idea was it to package individual slices of bread, instead of the whole loaf. The amount of single use plastic in 1 frame is disgusting and appalling. This should never be allowed to happen.
Classic Example
Most of us are familiar with this sort of packing. But for a single tablet, if you use this much plastic you are creating a mess. This is absolutely unnecessary and irresponsible.
So Much Wastage
One earring that is about 6mm big has been shipped in a huge box with so much crumpled paper. The amount of wastage that has been created is obscene and could be avoided if they could just manage it better.
Norton This Is Not On
So this company decided to send a tiny piece of paper in this huge box. It would have made a lot more sense had they sent it via an envelope. If it is about the marketing on that box, that could be done on the envelope too.
This Is Coconuts
Coconuts are one of the most robust types of fruit available to us in nature. They have hard hairy shells on the outside to keep the contents safe and clean. So what is the point of wrapping them up in plastic?
When Chipotle Gives You Lemons
So if you are going to give lemon wedges with an order, why would you go about giving separate containers for each individual wedge? Why not put all the wedges in 1 container? You would save so much waste.
Unnecessary Branding
What is it with people packing each individual item? The plastic wrap on each of these potatoes is just a marketing gimmick to provide more branding. These potatoes could have worked just as well without these unnecessary wraps.
Fresh Watermelon
This is wrong in so many ways. First of all, the portions are tiny. You eat watermelon in much bigger portions. Secondly, the amount of plastic use in the multiple layers of the packaging is unacceptable.
What A Letdown
Why are products that are not breakable or easily perishable being treated like they would break at the slightest touch? This skin care product is in a plastic tube that looks pretty durable. Why would you ship it in such a big box with so many air pillows?
Way Too Much Work
The fact that there is just too much plastic in this image is a worrying sign. It’s as if tic tacs were individually wrapped in plastic. And imagine the manpower that would be required for this.
Try To Guess What It Is
If you are having a hard time figuring out what it is, do not worry. That is what a small roll of cellophane looks like. But what’s stupid here is that it was packed with 55 feet of paper.
Fancy vs Sensible
Sharpies are a beloved part of our lives but their packaging doesn’t make a lot of sense. While the packing does look fancy and pretty, it is a waste of so much material. The entire set could be fit in one fourth of the package.
Compostable Indeed
So McDonald’s is at it again. They are marketing their coffee pods as 100% compostable. And then they have packed them in plastic! What is the point of making the pod compostable if you are just going to wrap it in plastic?
Safe Now?
So they sent protective packing to send protecting packing. At some point someone has to realize that this makes no sense. The bubble wrap is meant to absorb shocks, so why put padding on it?
Lazy People
How lazy have people become that manufacturers are sending avocados pre-peeled and halved? It really just takes a couple of minutes to peel, cut and deseed an avocado.
Why Bother Then?
Kudos that your software can be downloaded from the internet and doesn’t need a CD. But why bother with a CD case and waste so much plastic in the process. Stupid marketing schemes are hurting the environment.
Halos From The Other Side
How is this helpful in any way? If you are buying oranges, why would you bother with this plastic box? Why not just pick a couple up from the produce section and put them in your bag?
Premium At What Cost
The only thing good about this is that there is no plastic involved. It is all packed in paper and biodegradable items. However, that doesn’t mean this is acceptable. This is far too much material to pack one strawberry.
Micro SD But Macro Packing
Totally out of proportion. This tiny SD card could’ve been packed in a much smaller box and could’ve easily avoided wasting so much material. It’s not just the loss for the environment, but also for the manufacturers who use unnecessary amounts of packaging.
Overkill
We understand that when it comes to dairy products, people want to be extra careful. But this is just overkill. You pack each individual packing in plastic and then wrap the whole thing in plastic again. So much waste.
Leave The Vegetables Alone
Pre-peeling fruits and vegetables and then wrapping them in plastic cannot be considered a good idea by anyone. The natural skins of these products is enough to keep them fresh for as long as they should be. By artificially trying to increase their shelf life, you are not doing anyone any good.
Not Good Sephora
This Sephora beauty product was shipped with so much paper and packing that it makes no sense. Paper wastage is just as bad because to support the paper packing industry, it is our forests that have to suffer.
The Wastage Is Ridiculous
1 tiny SD card is packaged in so much plastic and paper/cardboard, that it is absolutely ridiculous. And do you realize that all of that is wastage? Some might recycle, but a lot won’t bother.
Not The Best A Man Can Get
Oh this is so not the best a man can get. The amount of cardboard and plastic that is used for this is completely unnecessary. A lot of it is used purely for branding and marketing purposes and makes no real sense.
Free Gift
So someone got a free chapstick. And who doesn’t love free stuff? But what we don’t love is the extra unnecessary packaging that comes with it. This tiny piece could’ve been sent in a much smaller package.
Killing The Doughnuts
This is supremely unnecessary as doughnuts are food items that need to be consumed within a couple of days. So wrapping them in plastic doesn’t make much sense. At the same time, the tight wrap means the frosting is going to go bad as well.
Individual Pieces
Why are people obsessed with packing individual vegetables or fruits like this? They could just be as easily kept in the produce section without any packaging. From there you can buy them individually as well.
What A Waste
This is a systematic issue. If this much packaging material is used to pack an umbrella, it is obvious that there is some sort of discrepancy in the process that results in this packaging.
Handle With Care
How can just one charge warrant this much packing foam? It looks like it is made of plastic and should be way more durable than something that would need this. This is just unacceptable.
How Powerful Is That Magnet?
If one tiny magnet needed so much packaging to be shipped, it stands to reason that it must be a really powerful magnet. Or maybe someone just over packed, Has to be one or the other!
Tuna Piano
Metal cans are probably the most secure way of storage. They don’t allow any foreign particle to enter inside. So then why bother with wrapping those cans with plastic when the cans are self sufficient?
No Good Deed
So someone tried to buy Q tips that weren’t made of plastic. And that makes sense because everyone wants to do their part. But funnily enough, the Q tips were packed in plastic. So looks like sometimes things are well beyond your control.
So Much Extra Space
This hair care and grooming product came with so much extra empty space that you could fit another product in with it. It’s a complete waste of plastic and the cardboard box in which the item came in.
Disproportionate Much
Look at this tiny bottle of serum that has been housed inside a huge cardboard box. You could easily fit 4 of these bottles in this box. That means that there is nearly 75% wastage with this item.
Who Even Approved This?
Look at this packing of a flash drive. We get that people want to make sure that everyone can see their product’s marketing. But in this case, at least 80% of the packaging is a complete waste.
How Safe Can A Product Be?
So someone ordered a spatula and this is how they got it. The small spatula is wrapped in plastic, then put in an envelope which is then again put in another envelope. So 3 layers of packing. Good job guys.
Hair Ties
Hair ties are so durable and robust that using extra packaging when shipping them makes no real sense. Here, a pack of hair ties has been packed as though they are brittle and can break easily. So much wastage of plastic and cardboard.
So Much Plastic
Just take a look at the amount of single use plastic is kept on these shelves. Now imagine how much plastic would be used to make this happen in a city, in a state and in a country.
Too Much Plastic
Plastic bottles wrapped in plastic wraps, that makes so much sense. For sure, plastic bottles need to be protected from all foreign agents because they are so permeable. So how do we do that? With more plastic of course.
Box In Box
Someone ordered a bottle of 30 pills of supplements and they received it in a box that was full of air pillows and another box, which in turn was full of packing paper and finally the bottle of the pills. Hopefully that’s the extent of the amount of pills in there.
Make Up Stick
This is what the packing of a small make up stick looks like. It’s all about marketing and branding and has no real functionality. The amount of wastage in this packing is surreal.
Polo Mints
So someone thought it was a bright idea to wrap individual mints in plastic wrappers. But you have to understand, this creates so many small pieces of waste that is an environmental nightmare.
Box Full Of Nothing
One tiny webcam was shipped in a huge box full of just packing materials. If you look at the image you can see how much space the webcam box takes up and how much of the box is actually empty. This is sad.
Grapes Are Sour
They way that each of these grapes are individually packed, it sure looks like one expensive item.
