Like Leaving a Message in a Bottle

When I walk into a typical supermarket, I look around and see aisles and aisles filled with wasted packaging. When I walk into a so-called “Big Box” mega-store like Target or Walmart, I see the same thing. The way manufacturers package the products we buy is really quite mind-boggling when you get down to it. The sheer volume that we are guaranteed to bring home because of the packaging decisions these companies are making is staggering.

And we collectively let it happen. But…are we willing to fight a war on packaging by using our dollars as ammunition? Who here is really going to demand that packaging change? Who is going to lead the charge and figure out a new way to keep those crackers from breaking in transit or keep the fruit from bruising while it’s on the truck? There is an art and science to packaging, but, unfortunately, science has given way to art in an effort to give the marketing department as large a surface area on which to operate as possible.

And, again, we collectively let it happen.

I’m not saying that I have the answer myself. I’m just hoping that someone out there does. And I hope it’s someone with passion, desire, and the know-how to make a difference.

Are YOU that person? For my part, I know where I want to put my energy, where I want to strive to create change in the world. How about you? I sure hope you do. And I hope that you are doing something about it. Maybe I can’t reach the person who will lead the packaging revolution, but I’m betting that I know someone who can. Perhaps chance will play its part…

Right now, the best I can do is post my concern here, throwing it out there in the hopes that the currents will carry it off to the right person. Like leaving a message in a bottle.