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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines slack-fill as the difference between the size of a container and the volume of product contained therein. And while the agency does try to hunt down the misleading ones that do not allow the consumer to fully view its contents, every potato chips lover would tell you that they still hit the shelves.

Luckily, there's the r/NonFunctionSlackFill subreddit that works hard to expose them — its 49.1K members regularly share pictures of packages looking like they were intentionally designed to lure away our money. Continue scrolling to check out the most infuriating examples.

We got in touch with one of the moderators of the subreddit and, judging from the chat we had, the community is pretty civil and inclusive too.

"Most of the work I do is [just] removing things that aren't actually nonfunctional slack fill, like packaging for medical products," they told Bored Panda.

"A wide variety of products are posted here, but I see candy and beauty/hygiene products posted most often," the moderator added.

#2

Biggest Letdown I’ve Had In A While

Biggest Letdown I’ve Had In A While

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#3

Only Function Here Is To Trick You Into Thinking It's A Bottle

Only Function Here Is To Trick You Into Thinking It's A Bottle

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According to Nina van Toulon, the initiator of the Indonesian Platform for Prevention and Management of Waste, some slack-fill is needed.

"One valid reason for functional slack-fill is product protection," she explained. "Good examples are packages filled with chips or cookies. The extra space prevents damage to the product by outside pressure. Without this empty space, your product would crumble."

"Another valid reason is avoiding product loss due to spilling when opening the package," she added.

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Another reason is called settling. "Some products fill up a package at production time and the product 'settles' to a lower level inside the packaging over time, for example, flour."

"[One more] technical reason is the closing process of the packaging after it is filled in a production line," van Toulon continued. "There needs to be an allowance of extra material to seal the packaging properly, which in some cases (and depending on the type of packaging) results in some empty space."

#6

Not Buying This Kind Of Box From Michaels Again

Not Buying This Kind Of Box From Michaels Again

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#7

Why Do You Have To Play Me Like That?

Why Do You Have To Play Me Like That?

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However, as we can see, sometimes there's simply too much slack-fill. "Non-functional slack-fill is a neglected topic. Publications on regulating slack-fill [are] scarce and U.S. lawsuits are mostly related to misleading consumers and not to the unnecessary use of materials, of which the majority of certain packaging materials is not effectively being recycled," van Toulon said.

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#12

The Solar Panel Of My Flashlight Came Off And Reveals A Block Of Concrete To Make It Feel More Well-Built And Heavy

The Solar Panel Of My Flashlight Came Off And Reveals A Block Of Concrete To Make It Feel More Well-Built And Heavy

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stalders323 avatar
Sarah Stalder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They do something similar with Beats by Dre. The technology is very lightweight, but people want heft.

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#13

A Yard Of Snickers. Sorry, But I Tore Out The Cardboard Flaps That Kept Them Centered

A Yard Of Snickers. Sorry, But I Tore Out The Cardboard Flaps That Kept Them Centered

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One reason why we see so much of it, according to the expert, boils down to the producers trying to create a feeling of "more value for your money."

"Consumers need to rely on the amount of grams or pieces printed on the packaging when the product is ... in non-transparent packaging," van Toulon highlighted. "When the number of pieces is mentioned, it is clear what you get for your money."

Another reason why companies do this is trying to stand taller than their competitors' products on the store shelves.

#15

An Airport Sandwich At Its Finest!

An Airport Sandwich At Its Finest!

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#16

These Were £5...guess I Should Have Checked The Weight. 330ml Coke For Scale

These Were £5...guess I Should Have Checked The Weight. 330ml Coke For Scale

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From what they've seen managing the subreddit, the moderator of r/NonFunctionSlackFillI thinks it's usually a mix of these things.

"I believe that companies see it as a way to cut costs by not producing as much product, but also as a way to do so without losing out on the share of consumers who walk down the aisle," they said.

"The average consumer is not reading the small weight or volume label on each product, and companies know that. The additional advertising space is certainly a bonus they get for doing that as well."

#17

This Jumbo Tube Is Only Filled To The Letter E

This Jumbo Tube Is Only Filled To The Letter E

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SuperDarkStudios
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I promise I'm not trying to be rude! But people actually enjoy these? When I eat them I'm having the worst time of my life until they turn sweet!

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#18

Xtreme Asshole I'd Say

Xtreme Asshole I'd Say

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#19

I Get That Samples Are Samples, But What A Waste Of Plastic

I Get That Samples Are Samples, But What A Waste Of Plastic

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#20

Once You Turn This Jar Of Sprinkles Upside Down, You See The Real Quantity

Once You Turn This Jar Of Sprinkles Upside Down, You See The Real Quantity

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The packages we see in the pictures should be downsized not only because it misleads the buyers. "The unnecessary and excessive use of packaging aggravates the climate, waste, and plastic pollution crises, at all stages from resource extraction, production, distribution, transport in collection systems, landfilling, incineration, and recycling," van Toulon said.

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#22

You Can Probably Imagine My Daughter's Disappointment When We Opened Up This Crayola "Super Art Tub"

You Can Probably Imagine My Daughter's Disappointment When We Opened Up This Crayola "Super Art Tub"

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Aisling Raye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH this one says what's included and doesn't lie about the sizes. It's packaged so you can see all of the contents easily and the plastic bin is to store the supplies. If everything was packaged tightly, you'd be less drawn to it to purchase it. Also, this way you get a nicer sized storage container.

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"Mismanaged waste which has no or low recycling properties creates additional burdens such as open burning of flexible packaging, a practice which is widespread in most parts of Asia and Africa. This causes CO2, black carbon, and toxic emissions. Aggravating those burdens by using unnecessary packaging is unethical."

The activist calls consumers to be proactive and voice their disappointment to either the authorities, manufacturers, or distributors whenever they feel like they get too much slack fill. She also encourages letting each other know about these products so that we can simply choose not to buy them and hurt the demand. Something tells me van Toulon might be one of r/NonFunctionSlackFill's members!

#25

There’s Just Enough To Fit In The Window

There’s Just Enough To Fit In The Window

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#26

$20 For 11 Chocolates. Happy Valentines

$20 For 11 Chocolates. Happy Valentines

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mooshoflove
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right?! I only indulge in chocolate once a month and decided to get myself some fancy assorted chocolates... well, there were like 8 little pieces for a box costing $12. I felt every emotion that day....

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#27

Just Enough To Make It To The Line

Just Enough To Make It To The Line

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#28

"Fruit Bread"

"Fruit Bread"

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Heze Alii
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Packaging says "fruit sandwich". These are very delicious even without the mini oranges.

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#29

An Entire Tin Containing 8 Mini Snickers

An Entire Tin Containing 8 Mini Snickers

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#30

This Vegan Ground Meat

This Vegan Ground Meat

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