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30 Of The Worst Examples Of Unnecessary Packaging On Products (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
We’re long past the point where climate change has started to impact our planet. Natural disasters are happening more frequently, the Earth is warming, and many of us are desperate to do whatever we can to reduce our carbon footprints. So why in the world are companies still using excessive amounts of plastic and packaging when selling their products?
Bored Panda has scoured the internet and found some of the most egregious examples of wasteful packaging on items and gathered them below. Try not to become too infuriated while scrolling through this list, pandas, and keep reading to find conversations with Kris Bordessa of Attainable Sustainable and Amber McDaniel, Head of Content at Sustainable Jungle!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Hate These Stupid Plastic Tabs You Find On Clothing. All Of This From One Pack Of Socks
Damned_Cat 11 months ago
And inevitably you miss one that you don't find until you're out walking and it starts poking you between your toes.
Bookworm 11 months ago
I just found one in a pair of socks that I've had for several years. To be fair, they're very thick socks (sherpa lining) so that little piece of plastic was really well hidden and probably took a while to work its way out of the fabric.
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Rose Walker 10 months ago
And they make them so the socks are SO tightly bound together that it's hard to even create any space for the scissors to fit in to cut them without cutting the sock too!
NapQueen 11 months ago
The most satisfying part though is chucking them on the floor and then hearing them rattle in the hoover when you vacuum them!
Kendall 11 months ago
Why would you throw them in your floor? Throw them in the trash?? Like, what??
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#2
No Words For This
BeesEelsAndPups 11 months ago
It's a shame oranges don't already come in some kind of wrapper already. One that you could just easily peel off the orange. Some kind of a rind perhaps. Luckily these ones are wrapped in plastic
Sammy boy 11 months ago
Places started doing this because of the idiots that went around recording themselves licking things.
Kendall 11 months ago
Yep, exactly. Of course it goes back to some moron acting like a moron. I swear people suck and it's getting worse. Scary to think these are the ones that will be running our country and making important decisions here soon.
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Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Blame tik tok, which started that trend back when Covid first hit. You know the one, people walking into stores and sneezing or coughing on food being sold for clout, forcing stores to have to discard or destroy every single thing those wankers had contaminated for clout.
John Dilligaf 11 months ago
Charles Smith. He was arrested after filming himself spraying bug spray on produce at a Phoenix AZ Walmart. That's why you have individually wrapped produce.
#3
Wanna Sample A Blueberry?
Bookworm 11 months ago
This might be some kind of regulation for samples. Stupid in this case, but I can see a health department making such a rule because they don't want a giant bowl of food out that everyone sticks their fingers in.
BookFanatic 11 months ago
Our county health department would likely do something like this.
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To learn more about why excessive packaging is so harmful, we reached out to sustainability expert Kris Bordessa, certified Master Food Preserver and award-winning book author.
"There are so many reasons that plastic packaging is bad for the environment! First, plastic is a petroleum product. The extraction and transport of fossil fuels used to make plastic products produces emissions that impact our air quality," she explained. "Then there’s the matter of waste management. Sure, some containers from, say, yogurt, can be reused in the kitchen, but an awful lot of plastic packaging is destined for the landfill."
"Then there’s the resulting micro-plastics," Kris continued. "These bits of plastic end up in the ocean, on our beaches, and in the bellies of fish and birds. Microscopic bits of plastic matter have even been found in every part of the human body, including in breast milk."
#4
Oh If Only Coconuts Had A Hard, Resistant Shell So They Didn't Need Plastic Wrapping
John Dilligaf 11 months ago
could this be so that they can attach labels? I don't think they'd stick too well directly to the coconut husk.
Huddo's sister 11 months ago
That was my thought. There are places that laser labels onto hard to label fruit & veg, but I imagine it costs more because there aren't many willing to do it.
Load More Replies... G A 11 months ago
But most supermarkets identify groceries at the till by type for fruit/veg so barcide not needed?
Load More Replies... #5
I Bought A 20pk Of Bamboo Straws To Reduce The Plastic I Use. They Were Shipped In A Box With Bubble Wrap. And Each Straw Is Wrapped With A Piece Of Plastic That’s As Big As My Hand
ROSESARERED 11 months ago (edited)
This is how most of products on retail shop shelves arrive in the store, the staff pull it off before ' putting it on show'. So much plastic that the customer never sees...huge bags of it everyday...bags you could fit a single mattress with bedding in.
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
Bought a three pack of metal straws at the dollar store. Bamboo straws taste like bamboo
Mr.Mister 11 months ago (edited)
Do your metal straws taste like metal? 🤘
Load More Replies... #6
Introducing @carrefourbelgium 'S Cutting Edge Way Not To Save The World. For Forks Sake
Nicole Weymann 11 months ago
One time use cutlery made from wood instead of plastic, because wood is bio degradable. Of course the XXL styrofoam box plus plastic wrapping makes the exercise completely pointless.
Load More Replies...We were also lucky enough to get in touch with Amber McDaniel, Head of Content at Sustainable Jungle to hear her thoughts on this topic. She noted that plastic packaging is a huge problem for a few reasons: non-biodegradability, microplastic pollution and fossil fuels.
"Most plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, leading to persistent pollution in landfills and natural ecosystems. If the latter, it can entangle, injure, or be ingested by animals, causing harm or death," Amber explained.
"Since plastics don't biodegrade back into natural elements as organic materials do, they can only break down into smaller and smaller microplastics, which contaminate soil, water, and air, affecting wildlife and not entering human food chains, as numerous studies and evidence show," she continued. Amber also noted that we're now finding microplastics in everything from human blood and brains to breast milk and placentae.
"Plastic production obviously relies heavily on fossil fuels, which only reinforces our dependency on the fossil fuel industry," Amber added.
#7
A Mistifier Sprays Its Mist Over Food, All Of Which Are Covered In Plastic
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
It's a hold over from before Covid. Back when vegetables weren't wrapped in plastic to keep entitled "influencers" from intentionally 'sneezing' or 'coughing' or doing all manner of horrible things to the produce as part of "pranks" or just for content. Every time influencers do that, or did at least, every single bit of produce they contaminated, needed destroyed and discarded.
Diolla 11 months ago
Netherlands. It's done to keep produce fresh, the cucumbers and paprikas are not supposed to be wrapped like this.
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John Dilligaf 11 months ago
Charles Smith was arrested after filming himself spraying bug spray on produce at a Phoenix AZ Walmart. That's why you have individually wrapped produce.
DowntownStevieB 11 months ago
My grocery store wraps English Cucumbers (seedless) to let people know it's seedless due to seed allergies.
#8
Someone At Amazon Gives Zero F--Ks
page Johnson 9 months ago
They wasted so much material and ruined a book. Whoever boxed that just wants to watch the world burn.
#9
Wasteful Weston
Shared with permission from a buddy of mine. looks like they opened a PC water case and repackaged it to sell in 3 packs? no clue how much they priced them at but it better not be for the “839” that they’re all stickered with.
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
Been there. Not sure why they’re repacking on a tray with plastic wrap, but this is a common way to resell cases that have ripped or been cut
DowntownStevieB 11 months ago
If that's the case (in the U.S.) than 1. Not legal and 2. wasteful
Libstak 11 months ago (edited)
Stick up a sign saying 3 for $ ffs and just stack them individually. Im sure the majority of customers can be trusted to count to 3 right?
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Customers, as a rule, can not be trusted. We have the "Karen" meme for a reason, but in case you didn't understand it, the origin of that? It's from a retail worker's perspective. You do really have to treat customers like they're brain dead little toddlers, or else they will find a way to 'misunderstand' something intentionally hoping to get a discount.
Load More Replies...So why do companies continue to package products like we see on this list here? "I think they’ve gotten so used to using plastic that they aren’t even thinking about alternatives or how this packaging damages the environment," Kris says.
And how much of this plastic can actually be recycled? "Recycling opportunities vary by region. Where I live? There are a couple of grassroots organizations that are using small amounts of specific plastics for upcycling projects but there is no municipal recycling of plastic at all - it all goes to the landfill," the expert continued.
"In other regions, plastic is taken in for recycling, but where does that end up? It’s often shipped to other countries, passing our waste problem on to them. It’s estimated that less than 10% of America’s plastic waste is actually recycled," Kris shared. "It important to remember that there is no 'away' when we toss our waste. You may have removed it from your home, but it’s still out there becoming someone else’s problem."
#10
Because Individual Sweet Potatoes Need To Be Wrapped In Plastic…
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
I get that this is intended for moicrowaving, but do people not understand how plastic wrap works?
Ace 11 months ago
Not sure about your microwave assumption, TBH. I'd rip off the plastic first, then pierce them all over with a fork before microwaving them.
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Upstaged75 11 months ago
These are sold like that so they can be put directly in the microwave. It's designed that way. They're actually not bad, although I prefer them cooked differently. Nice if you're in a hurry.
Huddo's sister 11 months ago
You can cook them in the microwave without plastic though
Load More Replies... John Dilligaf 11 months ago
look up influencer Charles Smith. He was arrested after filming himself spraying bug spray on produce at a Phoenix AZ Walmart. That's why you have individually wrapped produce.
Glen Ellyn 11 months ago
This is the first time I've heard of the microwave in plastic reasoning. I don't microwave potatoes, which makes me wonder what percentage of people do prepare them this way.
Huddo's sister 11 months ago
I microwave jacket potatoes (they are a different texture than roasted ones and we put different toppings on them) but you don't need plastic, you just poke them with a fork first.
Load More Replies... #11
And This Is Why I Stopped Ordering Meal Boxes!
Toothless Feline 11 months ago
They’re probably stocked at the distribution center as individually-wrapped packs like this, and they just grab as many packs as the order calls for. Makes packing faster and reduces risk of contamination. Still very wasteful, but it actually makes sense from a cost-minimization perspective, if you’re a penny-pinching capitalist.
Load More Replies... #12
These Individually Plastic Wrapped Plates That My Workplace Keeps
GREYNOOK 11 months ago
ok, so what, to keep away dust individually, but also packing them together and putting them in one single plastic bag will do !
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Health and safety reasons. You see this especially in places that have manufacturing going on. While people may wash their hands before they eat, they rarely change their clothing. So dust from the manufacturing process would get carried in on their clothing. Reaching into a single plastic bag to get a plate, would in turn contaminate every single one of the other plates with that manufacturing dust.
Load More Replies..."I think this ultimately comes down to price and convenience. Plastic is cheap for companies to buy (far cheaper than more eco-friendly alternatives anyway), yet it ironically can make a product look more expensive," Amber says. "Its lightweight nature makes it appealing from a company standpoint as well because lighter products/packaging mean lighter shipments, which cost less in postage, too. Plus, alternatives like glass are breakable, so then companies would need to devise ways to protect and pad these items without relying on the very plastic they're using glass to avoid."
#13
Stupidly Wasteful Amazon Shipping
Debby Keir 11 months ago
As above - who orders a small pack of tealights for shipping. It's not just the packaging that's wasteful - buy them when you shop in the supermarket....or perhaps you use delivery apps for that too? Your children's children will evolve legless at this rate.
Michaelann Dahlman 10 months ago (edited)
I got a replacement flash drive once & it came in a box about the size of a freaking shoe box!!
stephen charles wright 11 months ago
This is not stupid or wasteful, once you understand the logistics and how vans are loaded to provide the most efficient carbon saving delivery. Boxes can be recycled, Carbon cannot.
"Then there’s the practical side: packaging is often designed to protect products during shipping, especially fragile or delicate items," Amber continued. "And of course in some industry sectors, like food, plastic is basically required by law in order for companies to meet health and safety guidelines, as well as ensure freshness."
"Branding is another factor; companies use packaging to showcase logos, designs, and product details as a way to grab your attention," the expert continued. "Sometimes it’s just about convenience—many businesses rely on standard-sized boxes or materials, which might not be the perfect fit for every product, leading to extra waste. While it might seem excessive to consumers, for companies, it’s often about balancing marketing, logistics, and practicality."
#14
The Amount Of Waste In The Packaging Of These Pills
Kira Okah 11 months ago (edited)
From the OP: As these are an OTC supply, only a two week supply is allowed to be had per bottle. It looks like these are packaged to a legal requirement.
Michael None 11 months ago
As a pharmacy technician I can confirm this. The OTC was only approved for acute usage hence the two week supply. Most people take it for chronic heartburn though so technically they are going "off label". It's most likely due to people taking it incorrectly and to save the manufacturers and the FDA from lawsuits.
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Paulina 11 months ago
This is also true for one of the meds I'm taking. I counted and one plastic bottle can hold pills from 12(!) packagings 🤦♀️ And it has nothing to do with dosage and regulations. After I made that experiment I actually sent email to manufacturer expressing my disappointment in wasteful packaging & inconvenience that it causes to patients like me... Surprising cherry on top: they actually started providing alternative option that holds twice as many pills in the same sized bottle! It's not perfect, but cut the amount of plastic in half!
#15
This Is The Size Of The Box They Sent My 1 Christmas Ornament In
Fraxinus excelsior 11 months ago
At least you now have a coffin for your pet snake when it pops it's clogs. 😁
Tim Douglass 11 months ago
There's an expression I haven't heard for a while!
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#16
We’re Individually Wrapping Olives Now
Unfortunately, Amber also says that, realistically, not very much of this plastic can be recycled. "While a lot of soft plastics that make up packaging are technically recyclable, being Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), or plastic #4, they're not widely recycled because it's a big hazard to machinery to do so," she explained.
"Soft plastics are known for jamming up and breaking recycling machinery, so a lot of companies just refuse them. And unless you live in a fairly large metro area (at least here where I am in the US, where our recycling infrastructure is notably terrible on all fronts), most people don't even have the option to recycle soft plastics," Amber continued.
#17
If Only Nature Would Find A Way To Cover This Coconut So We Didn’t Need To Waste So Much Plastic On It
John Dilligaf 11 months ago
for labeling purposes probably. Hard to attach a barcode sticker to a coconut husk
"For example, I live in a very small town in the west, and unless it's a #1 or #2 plastic bottle (it has to be a bottle, no other form) my local recycling facility flat out does not accept it, and there's no alternative even in my entire state that I'm aware of. Even other countries that have better recycling systems in place, like Australia, supposedly only recycle about 16% of plastic packaging each year, so the numbers are quite dismal," Amber told Bored Panda.
"And when people try to recycle something they shouldn't (something referred to as 'wish cycling'), it's even more harmful because then this contaminates other recyclables and leads to entire batches just being thrown away."
#18
Saw This At My Local Supermarket, Those Caviar Cans Are Very Fragile, I Guess
Robert T 11 months ago
There is likely to be an anti-theft sticker on the polystyrene which wouldn't fit on the tin.
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#19
Ordered 5 Plates Online. They Came In 5 Giant Packages
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Drop shipping. If OP checks, they'd find that those plates came from different locations.
#20
Received A Package From Home Depot That Just Had One Marker. I Didn’t Order Anything From Home Depot
Upstaged75 11 months ago
I ordered several things from Home Depot recently. The only thing that came in a huge box was my snow shovel. Why the hell does that even need a box in the first place? The other 2 things I got were completely unwrapped.
So what advice would these experts give to anyone who wants to cut back on how much plastic packaging they use and purchase? "Reducing our household use of plastic starts with being aware," Kris says. "What does your trash can look like when it’s full? Look at the plastic items and determine if there’s a different option. If you’re going through a lot of juice jugs, consider shifting to a frozen juice concentrate. Salad dressing is easy to make at home, which can eliminate more plastic."
"Another thing is that unless we are letting companies know that we have a problem with the amount of plastic they’re using, they’re going to just keep on using it," she added. "I am a big proponent of contacting corporations and letting them know that I’d like to see an alternative."
#21
This Huge Box That Target Shipped My 2 Small Items In Instead Of Using A Paper Bag
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Shipping requirements. Some package types are required if something could be considered hazardous materials. That liquid, for example, would fall under that definition. So, there's a minimum size of a package for hazardous materials, regardless of the size of the product within it. The general idea being that a delivery driver is less likely to lose a decently sized package that reads "hazardous materials" on it.
Load More Replies... #22
My Amazon Order. Good Thing I Didn't Order Two. Good Thing I Didn't Order Two
Libstak 11 months ago
I get the sarcasm but to be fair, its your requirement to reuse grocery bags thats helping you, me and everyone more aware of waste and more active in calling it out.
Load More Replies... Debby Keir 11 months ago
Who was the plonker who ordered 2 glasses from Amazon rather than just popping almost anywhere to buy them. I quite understand making a major purchase via them, but come on - just cos you've GOT prime doesn't entitle you to be an a$$hole.
#23
I Needed To Spend $1 More At IKEA To Get Free Shipping, So I Got This 99 Cent Roll Of Wrapping Paper. It Shipped In Its Own Box
Kira Okah 11 months ago
If they don't have a stock of tube packaging, which a lot of places don't because they are quite expensive, what else are they going to use to fit it in? Probably the only box they had.
G A 11 months ago
I had a box the size of a table top dishwasher arrive last week. Couldn't think what is was. Turned out to be some glass wall art and a ltd print in a tube. Probably filled about 10% of the box.
Load More Replies..."If you’re looking to cut down on plastic packaging, a great place to start is by choosing products that use minimal or plastic-free packaging for products where this is allowed," Amber told Bored Panda. "For instance, it's pretty difficult to cut plastic out of your groceries these days, but it's very easy to shop for plastic-free beauty products, so I always suggest people start here, as it's easier to gain footing."
"The best choice is packaging that's compostable, such as a paper or cardboard-wrapped shampoo bar versus a plastic bottle of shampoo, or a cardboard tube of deodorant. If compostable packaging isn't available, look for reusable packaging, like glass jars, though noting this is really only much better of the person actually intends to try to reuse and repurpose," the expert continued.
"There are also more and more companies offering refill schemes these days, like The Good Fill or Greatfill Basically, they send products in a plastic refill pouch, which you can use to fill your own container (or buy one to reuse from them) then send the empty pouch back to be cleaned and reused."
#24
The Box My Razor Blades Came In. Talk About Recycling To Save The Planet
Debby Keir 11 months ago
Yes, I have a bee in my bonnet, SHOP LOCAL and bring it home yourself.
Depressy spaghetti 11 months ago
There could be reasons they couldn't go like distance, disability, anxiety etc. Dont judge and im stealing the bee in the bonnet remark.
Load More Replies...Amber says buying in bulk is another simple way to reduce waste, especially if you bring your own reusable containers. "Refill stations are also becoming more common, especially in metro areas, so you can top up on things like detergents, shampoos, and other essentials without creating more waste," she shared.
"And yes, sometimes plastic packaging is unavoidable, but it doesn't necessarily need to get thrown away. Get creative with packaging—reuse it for storage, crafts, or other practical purposes to give it a second life before recycling," Amber continued. "For example, if I get a plastic poly bag or a plastic mailer bag, I save these and then use them to protect items that I mail if I resell old clothes on a platform like eBay. That way I know it's at least getting one more use before being thrown away."
#25
One Haribo In An Entire Packet
#26
Is This A Joke? Why Did You Need Four Plastic Bags To Wrap This One Item
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
Because if you look at them sideways, they break, and then nobody wants to buy them so they end up in the dumpster
Michaelann Dahlman 10 months ago
Hollow chocolate ar more likely to break, but I don't see how 5 plastic bags would offer much protection.
Load More Replies...Kris also added that she often sees “compostable” plastic products that food vendors like to use as an eco-friendly option, but these aren't as great as they seem. "They are still plastic, and they are compostable ONLY in special commercial facilities which are few and far between," she explained. "It’s greenwashing to make people feel better about their daily to-go cup of coffee, unfortunately."
#27
This Pretty Small Magnet Was Shipped With So Much Styrofoam
Debby Keir 11 months ago
or to prevent the magnet from affecting electrical goods during shopping???
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#28
I Love Your Products Drperricone But Please Sort Out The Wasteful Packaging
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Medical and cosmetics typically are classified as "Hazardous materials" by shipping companies. Because of this, there's a minimum size that the shipping boxes are allowed to be. The idea being that a delivery driver is less likely to mistreat or lose a larger box that reads "hazardous materials" on its exterior.
Tiger 11 months ago
Interesting! That reminds me, it’s time for me to go wash the hazardous materials off my face for the night.
Load More Replies..."Ultimately, reducing plastic packaging is a systemic challenge that requires collective action," Amber says. "Consumers can do their part, but companies and governments also need to adopt circular economy principles, invest in better recycling infrastructure, and innovate in sustainable packaging. Education and awareness are key to driving this change—sustainability can only become truly accessible when the system evolves to make greener choices the default."
#29
So Much Waste Of Space
#30
Hmm, Waitroseandpartners Haven't Used This Plastic Very Sparsley
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
That parsley may have been versatile at one point, but it’s now either vigorous nor vibrant. It’s looking a bit sad
#31
Replacing The Egg Shell With More Plastic To Go Into The Ocean
#32
This Shipment From Wayfair For Two Cotton Oven Mitts
Shesa 11 months ago
Yep, those sharp cotton oven mitt shards are pain in the...
Load More Replies... #33
My Package Included A Free Box Of Air
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
Space filler to prevent shifting of the contents perhaps? At least cardboard is recyclable.
Bookworm 11 months ago
Probably. I open a lot of boxes at work, and there's frequently packaging pieces labeled 'Dummy box' or 'Empty carton' that are in there to protect the merchandise, like wedged underneath a table to help keep it from being crushed down. Agree that it's better than using more foam.
Load More Replies... #34
Why On Earth Do We Need Individually Wrapped Potatoes!?
CD King 11 months ago
It says it on the sign… they are wrapped to microwave. Not that it’s right
Kira Okah 11 months ago
It gives customers who want to microwave them in plastic what they want and wastes less plastic than using cling wrap.
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Colleen Glim 11 months ago
Supposed to be intended for the microwave. Again, nobody knows how plastic wrap works
#35
Vegetables Stupidly Wrapped In Plastic
#36
Individually Wrapped Plastic Straws
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
The packaging clearly states "wrapped flexible straws". These appear to be for commercial use.
Judes 11 months ago
50 straws isn't very much if it's for commercial use.
Load More Replies... #37
How Wasteful Costcos Packaging Is
Damned_Cat 11 months ago
I think that's an attempt at theft protection, so you can't put it in your purse or pocket.
Deborah 11 months ago
They sometimes do this with very expensive products.
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#39
Package Is Getting Bad. You Ordered Ear Drops For Your Dog And End Up With Something Like This
Soton_Sherpa 11 months ago
If you're swapping your dog for eardrops, this is the least you deserve! 🤭
#40
Toothbrush Refills
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Anti-theft primarily, but also allows sellers to use a standard size for their shelving.
Robert T 11 months ago
You know how much those things cost? I'm surprised they aren't tethered to a brick!
Grenelda Thurber 11 months ago
Probably cost more than the electric toothbrush they're designed for.
Load More Replies... #41
Ridiculous. At Least I Have A Box To Put All The Other Boxes Into
Upstaged75 11 months ago
I seem to constantly have a stack of boxes inside boxes that I need to break down and recycle.
#42
Saw This In The Supermarket And Had A Laughing Fit, They Are Glass Jars In A Plastic Pot In Another Sort Of Packaging
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Anti-theft primarily I'd guess, with an added in problem of some of the jars leaking. The one on the bottom right actually looks like something has leaked out into the tupperware dish.
#43
Is Amazon Getting Worse With Overpackaging? I Ordered A Pressure Washer Wand. What You See Sticking Out Is All That Is In This Box
#44
4 Individually Packaged Nuts
#45
I Present To You, A Single Slice Of Bread Wrapped In Plastic
#46
I Ordered Three Tea Boxes From Amazon. This Is How They Packed It. Wtf. Why Are We So Wasteful
Sky Render 11 months ago
Can't for some stuff. They don't sell Yorkshire decaf tea here, for example.
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#47
I Ordered A Small Sample Bottle Of A New Cologne And This Is The Box It Was Sent In
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
As with the multiple "hey I got this cosmetic thing and they put it in a honking big box" posts through this, I refer you to shipping regulations. Cosmetics that are liquid, or gel, typically are classified as hazardous materials by shipping companies, and there is a minimum size that shipping boxes MUST be.
#48
Walmart Pick-Up Basically Used One Bag Per Item, One Of The Individually Items Was A Single Tape, Such A Waste
scteach87161921 11 months ago
I actually know the reason behind this because I was irritated too when my grocery orders would have one item in a bag and I’d end up with so many plastic bags. A friend’s brother in law works for Walmart/Sam’s Club corporate and he said their policy is one bag per aisle. So if the aisle only has one of the products you ordered, it goes in its own bag. Why? I have no clue.
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Maybe I can help explain it further. Basically, by requiring the one bag per aisle thing, it forces the person doing the order picking to ensure that they got all the product, as when they go back through to check the order, they can see how many items are supposed to be in each bag. So if (for example) one bag comes up short, they know they missed something. On the other hand, if one bag has more than what's expected for it, they got too much.
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Lost Panda 11 months ago
Just reuse them as trash bags. It is still horrid, but at least you can get more use out of them.
#50
My Mom Ordered A "Small Address Book" From Amazon. It Is 2" X 3" And This Is The Box It Was Delivered In
#51
Ordered 3 Shot Glasses From The Same Site. Got Delivered In 3 Separate Boxes. Ordered Them Off Of Fanatics, Came In Large Wasteful Packaging
#52
Imo No Toy Should Ever Produce This Much Waste
Bookworm 11 months ago (edited)
When I was a kid things were just held in with plastic wire most of the time, and then my dad hoarded the wires to use for other stuff.
Mary Beth Miller 11 months ago
I can remember some of those toys with the plastic wires took a long time to undo.
Load More Replies... #53
Prescription Refill. The Pharmacy Sent Me A 30 Day Supply
This is so annoying. I’m not sure why my doctor did 30 days supply with 12 refills. This is a new doctor, and my previous would have done 90 days supply with four refills.
Still, this is ridiculous. Getting these pills out is a pain with the narrower neck, and the bottle is simply too big. Plenty of waste here that isn’t necessary.
Glen Ellyn 11 months ago
I get something similar occasionally, but I figure that maybe they were out of smaller pill bottles at the time they filled my Rx.
#54
Way Too Much Wasted Space For Eight Cartridges
#55
An Incredible Waste Of Plastic
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
That and there's an anti-theft aspect to it too. Harder to just pocket it and walk out of the store with it.
Load More Replies... #56
The Only Thing In This Box Was The Legs To The Couch...its Not Missing Anything, Just A Waste Of Cardboard
#57
In 2022, This Chain Store Decided That Wrapping Everything In Plastic Is A Cool Way To Display Their Shoes
Kira Okah 11 months ago
I've seen places do this too, usually because the shoes are worth something so they wrap and display singles so they can still be touched without getting dirty.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
There was a story recently about a shoe store owner who keeps getting robbed, so he only leaves the left shoe for each pair in his store overnight.
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#58
Is This Amount Of Packing Material Really Justified For This Small Order? Or Should There Be A Way To Consolidate Packing?
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Yes. Yes it is. Those are anti-static bags to keep the components from being damaged by a stray spark, such as from static cling. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that none of the stuff the OP removed to take this photo, now works because they've shorted the components out.
#59
Dear Amazon Please Explain Why You Need All This Packaging To Send Us Little Label?
#60
Why Not Just Buy A Fresh Watermelon?
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
I kinda understand this one. When I’m craving watermelon, they’re usually ginormous. I just want a bit of watermelon. I don’t want to be eating it for a week and then feeling guilty about binning the rest
Kira Okah 11 months ago
A single fresh watermelon is huge and has to be disassembled, not practical if you have an infirmity or just want to pick up some melon slices for lunch while running to work. My last job didn't have a proper kitchen area, who is going to go chunking a whole melon in the break room?
René Sauer 11 months ago
This looks like someone picked it up for a lunch break or something. Do you eat a whole water melon during lunch?
#61
Packaging For One Small Ntc Resistor (Red Circle) By Conrad (German Electronics Distributor). Ordered Into Their Shop No Less
#62
All That For Two Packages Of Cookies
Lost Panda 11 months ago
Bet they were still mostly crumbs... wait do I see Luke and a red light saber?!
#63
My Sons Fruit Cup From Chipotle
#64
Overpackaging?
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Hazardous materials requirements. Batteries fall under the "hazardous materials" regulations that dictate the minimum size packaging can be for safety reasons.
#65
Even The Screws Are Individually Wrapped... Just Some Droorknobs
#66
Getting Real Sick Of Those Amazon Commercials Talking Bout How Hard They’re Working To Be Carbon Neutral, And Then Getting A Package Like This
#67
All I Wanted Was A Screen Protector
Bookworm 11 months ago
My screen protector, unbeknownst to me when I ordered it, came with a whole plastic device for putting it on exactly right. Which had to go in the recycling after using it once, because what else am I going to do with that?
NapQueen 11 months ago
That device is actually amazing - it helps keep it inline and straight.
Load More Replies... #68
This Grocery Store Sells Pixy Stix At The Deli
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Bag broke open, and they can't legally sell those individually. This is the best way to sell them in bulk. As opposed to just throwing them away. Food packaging can't typically be recycled with the product still inside it. With 99% of recycling centers, if they discover food packaging that still has, well 'food' inside it, due to contamination fears they will take the entire truck load of recyclables to a land fill or incinerator for disposal.
#69
This Candy Store Has Individually Wrapped Jelly Beans
Kiss Army 11 months ago
These are generally the sugar-free variety of Jelly Belly jelly beans. They are individually wrapped to slow down consumption because eating too many can cause diarrhea. We used to buy these for my father-in-law who also had dementia and if he did not have to unwrap them to eat one at a time would probably eat them by the handful and be VERY sorry.
#70
I Really Expected This Ice Cream To Be Bigger When You Put It In So Much Plastic
#71
Plastic Straws Aren’t The Problem. This Much Plastic For A 960 Piece Off Brand LEGO Set
Upstaged75 11 months ago
Lego is obnoxiously expensive and not everyone can afford it.
Load More Replies... #72
So I Ordered A Mousepad
#73
I Received The Biggest Waste Of Plastic From Target In The Mail Today
#74
Great Work, Amazon. My Mother Has An Obsession For Buying Everything Off Amazon Which Creates A Ton Of Packaging Waste And I Can't Do Anything About It
Upstaged75 11 months ago
Break down the boxes and recycle them. I'm guilty of being an Amazon addict but every box goes in the recycle bin.
Bookworm 11 months ago
Even if there isn't, I'm pretty sure some U-Haul centers have bins to leave boxes for other people.
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#76
Teeny Pills In Big Bottles. Picked Up My Refills From CVS Today. 30 Small Pills In Each Bottle. I Always Consolidate The Pills In Larger Bottles To Place In My Cupboard
All of the pills in the bottles in the third picture fit in the 2 bottles in the 2nd picture.
Bookworm 11 months ago
The expiration dates on most pills have nothing to do with how long the medication is good for. Studies have been done on decades-old pills (IIRC, often random finds from the back of storage closets) that show almost all of them are still effective and safe. The expiration date isn't 'how long until it goes bad,' it's 'how long was the company willing to pay for a study to legally prove it's still effective.'
Load More Replies... #77
Insane Packaging To Product Ratio
#78
Omeprazole, 42 Pills In Three Bottles Plus A Box. I Always Put All Pills In A Single Bottle And It Doesn't Fill It Even Halfway
#80
2 Slices Of Bread Individually Packaged
#81
Nice Packaging Job From Amazon
#82
Over 3 Months Since The Collapse Of Redcycle And Coles Is Still Promoting Unnecessary Packaging As Recyclable
#83
So Much Waste
#84
Packaging By Byredo
Check out this absurd packaging for an order I got from BYREDO… are they a high end perfumery or the Easter Bunny? Also the box is way too massive for these three things. I had to dig around in the paper shavings for far too long. It was like a needle in a haystack. They need a smaller box and to ditch the paper shavings.
#86
Bought A Metal Pencil Sharpener And A Few Other Items. They Delivered Everything In One Box Except The Tiny Eyeliner Pencil Sharpener Which The Put In This Monstrosity
See that litter baggie in the bottom left? That's it.
#87
17-Inch Box For A 2-Inch Item, Including Whole Printed Spiel That It Was “Thoughtfully Packaged” To “Reduce Impact”
#88
Individually Packaged Bread At My Local Hotel
Pheebs 11 months ago
Of all the individual breads, this one makes sense. The bread is in an open bin, and people don’t wash their damn hands. And some people cough and sneeze all over community food. Don’t get me started on kids.
Glen Ellyn 11 months ago
Not to mention that bread can go stale pretty quickly when exposed. Even after only 10-15 minutes you can tell that it's starting to dry out. But yes, mainly for sanitary reasons.
Load More Replies... Grenelda Thurber 11 months ago
This is to protect you from other people who run their mitts all over the slices before choosing one.
#89
My School Individually Wrapped The Apples In Plastic
Colleen Glim 11 months ago
But make sure you use the tongs! Wouldn’t want anybody else’s nasty hands on my fruit
#90
Bought Cough Drops. Each One Is Individually Wrapped. I Just Wanna Stop Coughing
Pheebs 11 months ago
Cough drops are usually individually wrapped, at least every brand I’ve bought. They usually have the twist wrappers. It’s so you can shove a handful in pockets.
Kendall 11 months ago
Yeah that's what I was thinking. I've never seen them not packaged individually..
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What do you think ?
Ariom Dahl 11 months ago
TL;DNR BUT if I face palmed for each of these ridiculous examples I would have a broken nose!
Carl Roberts 11 months ago
"This post originally had 90 images, and even if you click the link, we're not gonna show you the rest, neener neener neener!!!"
Little Bit 10 months ago
Kid's toys, in particular LOL dolls. Each one wrapped in multiple layers of horrible plastic packaging
Alice Landers 11 months ago
I'm calling 3/4 of these pictures BS ...the other 1/4 have logical explanations by contributors. Amazon haters try a little harder !
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Most every one where someone shared an image of produce being single wrapped are a result of Covid and those damn 'prank' influencers that thought it would be funny to sneeze or cough on produce. Sorry folks, but when that happens, stores are legally required to destroy the produce for contamination. Wrapping it in plastic prevents that.
Ariom Dahl 11 months ago
TL;DNR BUT if I face palmed for each of these ridiculous examples I would have a broken nose!
Carl Roberts 11 months ago
"This post originally had 90 images, and even if you click the link, we're not gonna show you the rest, neener neener neener!!!"
Little Bit 10 months ago
Kid's toys, in particular LOL dolls. Each one wrapped in multiple layers of horrible plastic packaging
Alice Landers 11 months ago
I'm calling 3/4 of these pictures BS ...the other 1/4 have logical explanations by contributors. Amazon haters try a little harder !
Kabuki Kitsune 11 months ago
Most every one where someone shared an image of produce being single wrapped are a result of Covid and those damn 'prank' influencers that thought it would be funny to sneeze or cough on produce. Sorry folks, but when that happens, stores are legally required to destroy the produce for contamination. Wrapping it in plastic prevents that.
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