MINIMISE PACKAGING - AN URGENT OBLIGATION

It is really cruel to see that even  flower sellers putting  the fresh flowers they sell in a polythene pack. Mostly this practice is followed in the southern  parts of India. Earlier the same would be covered in a piece of banana plant  leaf which is bio-degradable. Similarly Indians are taking even liquids like milk and oil too in poly packs as they are too busy and can't bring their own containers to the shop. Still more ironical to see that food items are packed in small poly packs and at times one disposes 200 grams poly material to consume 500 gm of food items like sambar, rasam curry etc.,  From this great change(!)  the man is unstoppable in his urge to pack and sell things. 

Today we are all aware we are at cross roads. We have to minimise the packaging materials and there has to be a drastic cut in their usage.

There is no big prestige involved in carrying packs for each item purchased in a textile shop. The same are to be thrown in the vacant plots nearby. One can avoid taking home these attractive packing materials unless they are absolutely essential. For instance a sensitive  electronic gadget has to be packed safely with supporting materials. But the same packaging materials can be taken back by the seller after delivering the goods at the customer's house.

If we think at  every step we can very well reduce the usage of these packaging materials and save the earth form this onslaught.

There are rules to minimise packaging and make sure that most of it can be recovered or recycled. 
You must follow these rules if you’re a:

• packaging producer
• packaging designer

Anyone who ‘handles obligated packaging’ is a producer. Obligated packaging doesn’t include waste,

 exports or reused packaging unless it is imported.

What is packaging?

Packaging is anything that is used to contain and protect raw materials or a product and thrown away

 after the product is consumed. Example A paper cup for tea is considered packaging. A plastic spoon
 you get with the paper cup

 isn’t considered packaging.

Part 2: Packaging designers

Everyone designing packaging must follow environmental regulations.

Keep it to a minimum

You must make sure that the packaging you design only has the minimum weight and volume needed 
to keep the product safe and hygienic.

Hazardous substances

Packaging must not contain high levels of noxious or hazardous substances.

Recyclable packaging

Recyclable packaging must be designed so that a certain percentage of the materials used 

are recyclable.

Packaging for energy recovery

Packaging designed to be disposed of through energy recovery (energy through burning materials) 

must contain at least 50% of organic materials that burn, eg paper, wood, cardboard.

Biodegradable packaging

Packaging designed for composting must be biodegradable.

Reusable packaging

Reusable packaging must be designed so that it can be used several times. 

Packaging designers

Everyone designing packaging must follow environmental regulations.

Keep it to a minimum

You must make sure that the packaging you design only has the minimum weight and volume needed
 to keep the product safe and hygienic.

Hazardous substances

Packaging must not contain high levels of noxious or hazardous substances.

Recyclable packaging

Recyclable packaging must be designed so that a certain percentage of the materials used are
 recyclable.

Packaging for energy recovery

Packaging designed to be disposed of through energy recovery (energy through burning materials)
 must  contain at least 50% of organic materials that burn, eg paper, wood, cardboard.

Biodegradable packaging

Packaging designed for composting must be biodegradable.

Reusable packaging

Reusable packaging must be designed so that it can be used several times. After that is must meet the 

requirements for recycling, energy recovery or composting.