These days designers of all sorts are trying to be more eco-friendly in their respective fields. The construction industry is LEED crazy, and the automotive industry is cranking out new hybrid models to their lines each year. Even vendors for carpet, tile, wall covering, etc. have a “green story” that they always make sure to tell you when they are toting their goods from office to office. While these are things that I think most people can agree are steps in a positive direction, it is easy to overlook small items that everyone who is a consumer, contribute to a larger problem: wasteful packaging.
Packaging is something that surrounds us everywhere without many people really thinking about it. When you buy lunch, you get you food wrapped in some sort of paper, sometimes combined with foil or plastic, and usually in a bag. Your kids might receive gifts in the next few weeks that have a large amount of plastic and glossy printed cardboard to really set off that new doll or action figure. All of this is simply discarded with other waste and not given much thought of the embodied energy in it or what will become of it when its purpose has been served. Sure, a lot of these things can be recycled. You can simply say, “No bag please, I have my eco-friendly, reusable, canvas grocery sacks with me.”, but I think it is time for the product design industry to get on board and join the green revolution by simplifying their packaging or eliminating it altogether if possible.
Another solution may be innovations in packaging that make it something that you want to hold onto and use again and again. A recent example that I came across while reading my daily design news came from Dezeen.com. It is called the Dreamball, by Seoul based Unplug Design. The Dreamball is a cylindrical package intended for use by aid programs, such as the Red Cross, to send food, clothing, and other goods to developing countries. The cylinder is designed with perforations and instructions printed on it so that it can be formed into a ball for the local children to play with when the goods contained within are removed or used up. Not only does this help to eliminate waste, but the Dreamball helps to create a sense of community for the people receiving the aid by helping to develop friendships through sport. You can find a link to the story here: http://www.dezeen.com/2009/12/01/dreamball-by-unplug-design/
So, I am challenging you to say no to paper and plastic and to say yes to innovations in the products you choose. Happy hunting, or in this case shopping.
