How to reduce packaging: 10 tips

In the daily avalanche of waste that we all produce, one stands out: the packaging, which accounts for nearly 40 percent (36 percent, to be precise) of all the garbage we dump. Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, wood, metal: all recyclable materials, at least on paper, but which we often see on streets, sidewalks, in gardens, and in landfills. The trend towards packaging, also due to the boom in online shopping, shows no sign of abating: each European citizen produces, on average, 189 kilograms of packaging per year, a 20 percent increase compared to 2015. This is too much, and it causes enormous waste. Yet there are many simple, effective, and quick actions that can allow us to reduce packaging: reuse containers, choose loose products, group online purchases, do the shopping with grandma's shopping bag.

Index of topics

Eliminate plastic bottles

Every year, over 12 billion liters of water are bottled in Italy, making us the third-largest country in the world for this type of consumption. Absurd. To eliminate it, simply check the potability of your tap water, or get it from the water kiosks that are proliferating throughout Italy. You'll save a lot.

Products on tap

When you shop, especially in supermarkets or hypermarkets, look for the bulk section, where products are unpackaged. From pasta to detergents , from sugar to household products: you'll spend less and won't come home bloated with plastic.

Empty returnable

In this case, you won't have to worry about disposing of it. It's an ideal system for recycling and reuse: a glass bottle can be reused 40 times, and a PET bottle, over 20 times.

Solidarity purchasing groups

In your city, and even better, in your neighborhood, there's surely a Solidarity Purchasing Group (SPG). Together with other consumers, you can get better prices on products, get them locally sourced, fresh, and with less packaging. It's a simple and effective way to shop.

Avoid the packaging at the counter

That paper , that plastic, those containers, they weigh you down and make you pay for them. Also avoid single-serving packs: a sly waste of money and packaging.

DIY products

There are many products we can make at home, both for cooking and for cleaning and household products. Three advantages: we save money, we have the safety of natural products, and we don't use polluting packaging.

When to change shops

Avoid stores where you buy products with excessive packaging. This sends a signal that you're a responsible consumer. This is especially true if they're labeled organic . In general, change stores if you notice yours uses excessive packaging , and always try to favor small neighborhood markets. They're also more affordable.

Recycled material

Make your own packaging using recycled materials and opt for products with returnable containers. Waste will decrease, for everyone.

Shopping with the bag

Always choose grandma's classic bag from home. It will allow you to carry unpackaged products home conveniently and easily.

Three Rs

The three Rs rule must be engraved in your head: it is useful first of all for eliminating unnecessary packaging .

How to reduce waste

Reducing packaging is part of a larger puzzle: the dramatic reduction in waste. All waste . We produce too much of it, everywhere. For example, 713 kilos per capita per year in Catania and 587 kilos in Rome. These numbers are well above the European average. Here are some helpful tips for reducing waste production.

What can packaging manufacturers do?

Even packaging producers can do some very useful things to avoid the chain of waste associated with their excessive use. For example:

Optimize the designPackaging must be designed to use as little material as possible without compromising product protection. This may include adopting more compact shapes and using lightweight materials.
Modular packaging: create packaging that can be easily adapted to the dimensions of the product, avoiding empty spaces that would require more material.
Reusable packaging: promote the use of reusable containers (e.g. cloth bags, reusable bottles) rather than single-use ones.
Biodegradable materials: replace plastic materials with biodegradable or compostable ones, such as bioplastic, paper, cardboard or materials seaweed-based.

This is how we can reduce packaging