Nowadays many people believe that manufacturers and sellers should reduce the amount of packaging for their products, however others assume that customers in their turn should avoid purchasing products with excessive packaging. Although both arguments have their merits, I personally believe that consumers should start a plastic free movement first.
The primary reason for that is consumers are the ones who set the trends and demand for products. The more people will support the plastic free or paper packaging products, the more companies will adjust to their needs. For example, in Europe many people support organic products with small to zero packaging and promoting waste segregation. As a result, many companies changed their original packaging to be more convenient for people to sort. Although you can still detect products with extra packaging on supermarket shelves there, people prefer to buy alternatives to make their chores easier.
On the other hand, consumers can only choose from the options provided by manufacturers. Companies have more resources to alter deeply rooted consumer behaviour. Big companies can invest in biodegradable materials and eco-technologies. As a result, people will consume their products more readily and set an example for others. For instance, when McDonald’s switched to paper straws across Europe, millions of consumers automatically adopted a more eco-friendly habit without making any conscious choice. Furthermore, not all consumers are informed or financially able to choose sustainable options, making it unrealistic to place the full burden of change on them. Therefore, if manufacturers lead the shift toward sustainable packaging, eco-friendly consumption becomes the default rather than a conscious effort.
In conclusion, although shoppers are the main characters in changing the overall lifestyle of using too much packaging, corporations also play a vital role in adapting their consumers.