At one point or another, we have all came across
this miserable idea of “clamshell packaging.” Clamshell packaging is
everywhere. From everyday items to children’s toys, electronic devices to
kitchen tools, I find it absurd that anyone would think this style of packaging
isn’t a crime. Clamshell packaging is impossible to open by hand. People resort
to sharp objects or even biting (in my case), which doesn’t always end well for
my teeth. The smart way to open this package is with scissors, however, even
then there comes to be massive hand-shredding chunks of plastic that are left
sticking out of every angle. With your bleeding hands and sore mouth you say to
yourself, why on earth would anyone design packaging that’s impossible to open?
Clamshell
packaging is supposed to prevent a thing called “package pilferage.” This is a
crime when small, relatively expensive objects are removed from their outside
packaging and stolen. By implementing this idea of “clamshell packaging,” it
makes it impossible to open anything with less than a machete. This, in turn
makes shoplifting harder. I’m all for this when packaging an expensive product
because I too, would not want my product/merchandise to be stolen off of
shelves. However, what about the inexpensive objects that are clamshell packaged?
I’m talking about the products like the pens in this above picture. Is it
really necessary for the seller to have this kind of item packaged in a way
that is impossible for the consumer to open? There has to be a point where the
consumer won’t even purchase the product because they already know the battle
they would enter themselves into. For example, let’s say there exists a package
of pens wrapped in clamshell packaging and a package of pens wrapped in soft
plastic right next to each other. Personally, I know I’m automatically reaching
for the ones with the easy-to-open packaging. Why risk shredding my hands on opening
a package of pens when I can just purchase a pack of the same pens without the
hassle of dealing with the tight wrapping. It’s common sense to me.
On
top of all of the problems clamshell packaging proposes, I did some research
and found out that many clamshell packages are made with PVC and PET. PVC is a
harmful plastic that is very difficult to breakdown. What about PET you ask? Well,
PET could be replaced by recycled PET to reduce cost and waste. So, if using
this type of plastic contributes to a more environmentally wasteful lifestyle,
why do we continue to use it, especially for the inexpensive products such as
pens? I ask myself this question over and over again but can’t seem to find an
answer.
Literally the bane of my existence!! I like actively avoid things that are cased in these kind of shells. It is just so difficult to take them apart and I am always so afraid that when I am tearing these apart I will harm the product. The trade off for convenience and security for this was just far overestimated and actively drives customers, like myself, away from products
ReplyDeleteThat packaging is literally the worst! I don't understand why they wouldn't design a package that was more user friendly? Maybe it is to prevent theft? Or is it because it is cheaper to make it this way? I honestly hate this packaging, first and foremost because if you don't have scissors, then you might as well just try tearing through a phonebook. Also, if you go at it with all your might, then you can cut yourself on the packaging. There has to thousands of better designs for packaging other than this. I would be curious as to why this packaging is so universally hated and why it is still used. Don't these companies do prototyping?!?
ReplyDelete