The mounting amount of waste generated from commercial packaging poses alarming environmental threats. In light of this, one school of thought holds that manufacturers and supermarkets are liable for this issue, while others argue that this responsibility should be mainly borne by customers. In this essay, I will elaborate on the merits of both these viewpoints before setting forth my proposals.
On the one hand, advocates of the idea that manufacturers and supermarkets play major roles in reducing excessive packaging emphasize their power to make significant changes in the industry. Indeed, they can spearhead these initiatives by adjusting the designs of their products and opting for more eco-friendly packaging materials, so they can substantially mitigate the impacts of undecomposable waste on the environment. One case that has successfully adopted this strategy is Phe La, a coffee brand in Vietnam. This company switches their plastic coffee cups to paper ones and minimizes the cup’s size without cutting down the products, becoming a leading figure in preserving the environment by reducing commercial waste.
On the other hand, some people contend that elevating the awareness of consumers to make wise purchasing decisions is more important. This is because consumers are regarded as the main drivers of the commercial industry. In other words, by avoiding buying excessively packaged goods, they send a strong message to businesses that there is a demand for more sustainable practices. Thereupon, these companies, mainly driven by profit, will be attuned to the offerings and, eventually, become more environmentally conscious. Moreover, consumers can amplify their influence by incentivizing people around them to join hands, precipitating a ripple effect and potentially creating a widespread reduction in packaging waste.
From my perspective, a concerted effort from both producing and consuming is wholly warranted to combat this persistent issue effectively. While manufacturers and supermarkets should seek and adopt a more eco-conscious approach, the public should also actively engage in this effort by supporting environmentally friendly products as well as calling for collaborative action.