Food packaging waste equals to about one-third of all trash, costing governments billions of dollars each year in disposal expenses. Bored Panda has collected a set of images, proving this huge plastic waste contributor to the global waste crisis could be reduced significantly.

Product packaging solutions often become the subjects of heated debates. While the eco-minded consumers want it to be as minimal as possible (meaning fully recyclable), manufacturers often fire back that they don't want their products to start decomposing in the store or become an easy target to shoplifters and put many layers of wasteful and entirely unnecessary plastic wrapping. And while some of their arguments have reasons behind them, a lot of the time the amount of plastic wrap is needlessly excessive. Do we need a pill to be wrapped in three layers of plastic? Or, better yet, casings for coke cans?

Now, we do agree that a zero waste life can be quite challenging to lead sometimes, but it is something we should all aspire to if we don't want to evacuate from our planet Earth in the near future.

Scroll down to learn why we need to rethink packaging and vote for the worst or most ridiculous images!

#1

If Only Nature Would Find A Way To Cover These Oranges So We Didn't Need To Waste So Much Plastic On Them

If Only Nature Would Find A Way To Cover These Oranges So We Didn't Need To Waste So Much Plastic On Them

awlilnatty Report

Steve
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

whilst this certainly seems is a complete waste of packaging for most, there are a lot of peole out there with chronic arthritis and other disablilities that makes peeling fruit either incredibly difficult, extremely painful or both. Opening a small plastic tub is nothing compared to peeling an orange, so this sort of thing is a God-send for them.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#2

Individually Packaged Coke Cans

Individually Packaged Coke Cans

Bri An Report

#3

If Only Bananas Had Robust, Natural, Bio-Degradable Packaging Of Their Own. Some Sort Of Peelable Skin, Perhaps

If Only Bananas Had Robust, Natural, Bio-Degradable Packaging Of Their Own. Some Sort Of Peelable Skin, Perhaps

thenamenononehas Report

#4

The Amount Of Packaging For This One Single Pill

The Amount Of Packaging For This One Single Pill

Neglected_Martian Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and it says 'non drowsy', i'm guessing you'll at least be a little tired after working through all that so not sneeze at the flowers.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#5

7ft Of Air Packaging To Protect The Socks

7ft Of Air Packaging To Protect The Socks

DeLaNate Report

#6

This Is Just Plain Ridiculous

This Is Just Plain Ridiculous

ProperEllipsis Report

#7

Amazon, I Don't Think The Box Was Big Enough

Amazon, I Don't Think The Box Was Big Enough

cakalusa Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, they could've used one of those envelope packaging things for this.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#8

I Ordered 5lbs Of Sugar Free Jelly Belly's Online... They Arrived Individually Wrapped! Why?

I Ordered 5lbs Of Sugar Free Jelly Belly's Online... They Arrived Individually Wrapped! Why?

betterdayzahead Report

Bella Smith
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

who has that much time and how would program a machine to do that or even deem it worth creating a machine in the first place

View More Replies...
View more comments
#9

New Laptop Came With Anti-Virus Program. I Only Needed The Security Key Code Underneath A Sticker On The Bar Code. A Huge Waste Of Plastic

New Laptop Came With Anti-Virus Program. I Only Needed The Security Key Code Underneath A Sticker On The Bar Code. A Huge Waste Of Plastic

BirdNerdthe3rd Report

Kostas
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's just marketing. shelf filling is important but new mold is expensive.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#10

Single Wrapped Potatoes

Single Wrapped Potatoes

wmyeoh Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

water proof potatoes! the irish could've used these...

View More Replies...
View more comments
#11

Individually Packaged Slices Of Bread

Individually Packaged Slices Of Bread

SaveLakeCanton Report

#12

Ridiculously Redundant Over-Packaging

Ridiculously Redundant Over-Packaging

NYhook Report

#13

This Peeled Avocado

This Peeled Avocado

Christine Kizik Report

Ntosh
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not buy this avocado. I prefer to be the one to cut it and seeded. To me this just seems like the avocado is not fresh and will spoil

View More Replies...
View more comments
#14

A Tic Tac Novelty Box That Has 60 Individual Boxes Each With 6 Tic Tacs... So Much Plastic

A Tic Tac Novelty Box That Has 60 Individual Boxes Each With 6 Tic Tacs... So Much Plastic

Woody1992 Report

My O My
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You start apreciating this sort of wasteful packaging when you have small kids

View More Replies...
View more comments
#15

This Knife Is Far Too Small For The Packaging

This Knife Is Far Too Small For The Packaging

ferlorn Report

#16

Amazon Sent My Bubble Wrap Wrapped In Paper

Amazon Sent My Bubble Wrap Wrapped In Paper

gtbuzztim Report

#17

Pre-Peeled Bananas Wrapped In Plastic

Pre-Peeled Bananas Wrapped In Plastic

BILLA Report

Arietis
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bananas are arguably the easiest fruit to peel.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#18

So Much Waste

So Much Waste

tommiedineen Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"honey, that invisible part you needed has arrived"

View More Replies...
View more comments
#19

These Organic Oranges Individually Wrapped In Plastic

These Organic Oranges Individually Wrapped In Plastic

Hockeytruck87 Report

#20

What On Earth

What On Earth

pointless_packaging Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it feels like some of this stuff would exist in wall-e's world

View More Replies...
View more comments
#21

Less Waste They Say

Less Waste They Say

stuartgibson Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

top tip - leave some potatoes wrapped in tinfoil in various places around your house. then, in the event of a house fire, you'll have a delicious snack to eat while waiting for the fire brigade to arrive.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#22

This Is Some Next Level Laziness

This Is Some Next Level Laziness

goldfishstick Report

#23

This SATA Packaging

This SATA Packaging

doodledance Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they should fill those pouches with helium, would reduce the weight and cost of postage. they could then float the boxes to you?

View More Replies...
View more comments
#24

This Is Ridiculous

This Is Ridiculous

nelsons777 Report

#25

There's Silly Amazon Packaging But Then There's This

There's Silly Amazon Packaging But Then There's This

wargy2 Report

#26

If There's One Thing The World Needs It's More Disposable Plastic Packaging

If There's One Thing The World Needs It's More Disposable Plastic Packaging

radioactivecowz Report

Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are pigs. Often when you buy bananas they look like they've been through the wars because they've been manhandled by so many slobs. It's also a way to sell overripe or overly green bananas. If they come packaged, people won't be able to take them off the bunches and leave them behind. ... I still think it's ridiculous, but I can see where they're coming from.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#27

Amazon Used Protective Packaging To Ship My Protective Packaging

Amazon Used Protective Packaging To Ship My Protective Packaging

davedawg2000 Report

#28

These Individually Wrapped Premium Strawberries

These Individually Wrapped Premium Strawberries

hiroyamatomoko Report

Jill
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quite common for luxury fruits in Japan which is often given as a present (since other types of presents take too much space in one’s home). Remeber the whole square watermelon thing? While the rest of the world giggles a bit, I can tell you these fruits are absolutely perfect i every way. I’ve never seen or tasted more consistently perfect fruit.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#29

I Purchased A Pallet At Work And It Arrived Today

I Purchased A Pallet At Work And It Arrived Today

xconverge Report

Linda Something
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might be used to not confuse the people handling the shipment. An empty pallet could look like the cargo is missing or the pallet might disappear and become one of all the other pallets at a warehouse (I work in logistics). This way it's clear that the pallet is the shipment. But it still looks silly.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#30

So Much Wasted Plastic

So Much Wasted Plastic

Nice_Sandwich Report

#31

Opening A Box Of M&M's To Find A Bag Of M&M's

Opening A Box Of M&M's To Find A Bag Of M&M's

Caesar100 Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is a single one called an m or an m&m? asking for a friend.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#32

These Gloves Must Be So Fragile...

These Gloves Must Be So Fragile...

golflife Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dya reckon they get paid based on how much packaging they've sent out?

View more comments
#33

Harry & David Strawberries

Harry & David Strawberries

jiyolivewell Report

#34

Saving The Planet With 500% More Packaging

Saving The Planet With 500% More Packaging

reddit.com Report

birdhouse
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess energy efficient isn't the same as environmentally friendly. Those 2 departments should really have a meeting.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#35

Does Anyone (Besides Me) Think It's Odd That These Organic Free-Range Eggs Come In A Plastic Container Rather Than An Environmentally Friendly Recycled Paper One?

Does Anyone (Besides Me) Think It's Odd That These Organic Free-Range Eggs Come In A Plastic Container Rather Than An Environmentally Friendly Recycled Paper One?

tazgirl196 Report

Nadine Ducca
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, it's odd. We also buy organiz free-range eggs and they come in a cardboard box, which we then recycle.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#36

Inside This 30 X 30 X30 Cm Box From Sun Was Another Box. Inside That, Was Another Box. Inside That Was Some Foam And An Antistatic Strap + Bag... Inside That? A Cr2302 Battery, About The Size Of An Australian 10c Coin

Inside This 30 X 30 X30 Cm Box From Sun Was Another Box. Inside That, Was Another Box. Inside That Was Some Foam And An Antistatic Strap + Bag... Inside That? A Cr2302 Battery, About The Size Of An Australian 10c Coin

Alex Dawson Report

#37

Festive Potatoes. Just Gonna Leave This One Here

Festive Potatoes. Just Gonna Leave This One Here

claRED_8 Report

#38

They Sent Me This Tiny Micro SD Card (Red Thing On The Bottom Right) In This Huge Package. What A Waste Of Plastic

They Sent Me This Tiny Micro SD Card (Red Thing On The Bottom Right) In This Huge Package. What A Waste Of Plastic

SnookiWookieCookie Report

#39

Dear Amazon Packaging Dept, You May Have Gone A Bit Overboard On Protecting This Burt's Bees Lotion. I'm Not Sure That This Size Box Or This Amount Of Protection Was Needed, But Thanks For Being Over Cautious

Dear Amazon Packaging Dept, You May Have Gone A Bit Overboard On Protecting This Burt's Bees Lotion. I'm Not Sure That This Size Box Or This Amount Of Protection Was Needed, But Thanks For Being Over Cautious

Lewisbl11 Report

Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That tube of cream looks scared for being surrounded by those beefy Airbags.. :P

View More Replies...
View more comments
#40

Pointless Packaging

Pointless Packaging

Kieran_Aspden Report

#42

Why Are There So Many Wrapper Layers? I Just Want To Eat Some Candy

Why Are There So Many Wrapper Layers? I Just Want To Eat Some Candy

elikessler Report

Vanessica Bloxgirl
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

simple, we have a lot oof these. the first pack is keeping all flavours together. the second to store a nice amount with the flavor shown. the last is an average wrapping. basically so you know what ur eating

View More Replies...
View more comments
#44

Banana In A Bag

Banana In A Bag

ceyyceyy Report

Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did you buy a F*cking banana at starbuck?? cost you what? 20 bucks?

View More Replies...
View more comments
#45

All This Packaging For A Single Mango

All This Packaging For A Single Mango

AmyW_ Report

#46

Costco Packaging Is Absurdly Huge

Costco Packaging Is Absurdly Huge

congratsyoucanread Report

Nadine Ducca
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To grab people's attention with bright colors and big letters? To make it bulky to avoid theft? Either way, it's still a TON of ridiculous packaging.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#47

Unnecessary Packaging

Unnecessary Packaging

betinakittycat Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi yeah is that the tea people? yeah, I've been dunking this bag for like, a week now and it's still not fusing. Yeah I'll hold"

View More Replies...
View more comments
#48

If Only Garlic Had A Natural, Biodegradable Casing Instead Of Plastic

If Only Garlic Had A Natural, Biodegradable Casing Instead Of Plastic

AyeOhEwe Report

Jessica Gunn
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These come in jars too...it's pretty convenient unlike some of the other bad packages

View More Replies...
View more comments
#49

How Extra Do You Need To Be To Buy Individual Shallot And Garlic Bulbs In Boxes Instead Of Loose?

How Extra Do You Need To Be To Buy Individual Shallot And Garlic Bulbs In Boxes Instead Of Loose?

itsfelyn Report

#50

What's The Point Of This?

What's The Point Of This?

CobainSchofield Report

stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the point? it's the lead, however, it's not actually lead its more graphite mixed with some other things, but it gives the same effect. A standard pencil would write for about 35miles, but I mean, who has ever needed to draw a line that long? a marathon is only 26.219 miles long, it used to be 26, but the royal family were sitting beyond the finish line, and insisted the winners cross the line past them, so they moved the finish line. anyway, I'm rambling, how are you?

View More Replies...
View more comments
#51

This Nerds Easter Egg Contains A Single Box Of Nerds

This Nerds Easter Egg Contains A Single Box Of Nerds

Super_Smol Report

Thegreatcountryofverden
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only is that a waste, it's a dissatpointment too. All Easter Eggs should be chocolatey.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#53

These Tomatoes

These Tomatoes

JesHolbrook Report

#54

Unwrappig This Chicken Takes Longer Than Cooking It

Unwrappig This Chicken Takes Longer Than Cooking It

cDrow Report

Kara Smith
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one I can actually understand. When I was living alone, I preferred to buy chicken like this so I didn't have to worry about thawing it for 9 hours at room temperature if I froze it, or worse, have all my chicken go bad and stink up the fridge.

View more comments
#55

I Ordered One Jar Of Honey Mustard And The Packaging Is A Little Excessive

I Ordered One Jar Of Honey Mustard And The Packaging Is A Little Excessive

Stoopkid17 Report

#56

Dear Amazon, Are You Kidding Me?

Dear Amazon, Are You Kidding Me?

amf001 Report

#57

These Clementines

These Clementines

hambergerlee Report