dang rigid plastic clamshell packaging

[Tom Slick]

I understand your frustration, this kind of packaging is one of my pet peeves. Not only do you risk loosing a finger or worse trying to get the package open, but the sharp edges of most of this kind of plastic can also give you a severe laceration if not careful.

I've actually gone to the extend of taking it to my little Ryobi bandsaw in order to cut open two sides so I can extract the product.

IMO, this kind of package goes well beyond pilfer protection, but it also renders the package "non-returnable" in many cases.

One question that I don't see raised here is: How many barrels of oil are used in the U.S. each year to make this stuff? And, is it biodegradable or even recyclable?

CWS

I just finished a class in packaging which focused quite a bit on packaging that is very irritating and how to reduce the irritation.
You can thank "big box" and "Warehouse" stores for its proliferation. It has these benefits in their eyes:
Lightweight (reduces transportation costs)
Inexpensive
Theft deterrent
Difficult to damage (who buys a crushed box?)
Hangs on a peg
Easy to see the product
Keeps people from opening the package to see what's inside. Put something in a box and you'll find product and package separated because people want to see it.

It is standard thermoform HDPE plastic so its recyclable but not biodegradable. No plastic is biodegradable in nature, but in perfect situations (lab) it can be.

Retailers don't care what you have to do once it is out of the store.

The other source of frustration is toy packaging with lots of tie straps.

a couple of links
http://www.smartplanet.com/news/hous...y-insiders.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...yster_ov_1.htm

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1006

[docrowan]

I read that this packaging came into vogue in the early 90's after plastic became cheaper than cardboard. Before that you would only find high dollar merchandise in this type packaging.

I've also read about a great garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean. It is not made up of visually identifiable pieces of garbage, but tiny pieces of plastic that has been degraded by the sun, but will not completely biodegrade.

If I buy my daughter a "My Little Pony" and Wal-Mart wants an RFID in it to make sure it isn't shoplifted, why can't the manufacturer put it INSIDE the toy? Then the package can be made of a biodegradable material.

I am by no stretch of the imagination an environmentalist, but I do believe I am a steward. I would prefer product packaging that is designed so it can serve a useful second life. I grew up drinking out of jelly glass jars. My mother-in-law wore a dress made out of a flour sack, which was specially designed to be reused this way. My mother still packs away left over food in margarine bowls and Cool Whip containers.

[gerti]

Given people sue over hot coffee, I am surprised nobody has sued over injuries sustained while attempting to open one of these ^&%#$%%@!!! packagings!

[BasementJunkie]

A couple of years ago I saw B&D had a set of electric scissors. I thought it was the dumbest invention ever, until I saw the commercial, where it showed a pair cutting smoothly through one of these clamshell packages. Great marketing right there...

[Wood_workur]

my grandpa has a pair of 12" long "tin snips" he keeps just for this purpose. they work wonders on opening this stuff.