It's true. Nearly a third of the trash we throw away is excess packaging-boxes, plastic wrap, styrofoam, strings, tape-you name it! Some of the materials can be recycled, but much more ends up at the local landfill or incinerator.
That's just one good reason for reducing the amount of packaging. There's more!
Excess packaging costs you money. It also adds to the cost of disposal.
And, reduced packaging can help towards reducing the larger environmental impacts of producing the unnecessary packaging materials in the first place.
Over the past several years, we have seen notable changes in packaging and product character. Many of these changes are a direct result of consumer demand for products and packages that produce less waste, that have been recycled, or have a recyclable content. Yet there is still more that can be done. Consumer demand can help to eliminate excess packaging in the first place! It's just a matter of getting the word out.
One of the most effective ways to raise awareness about environmental issues and pollution prevention is through the media-with as much coverage in all the media at the same time as possible. To help get the word out, the Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 have joined forces to create an exciting media packet. The packet contains:
