Smaller package size foods?
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
Canada
July 22, 2011 2:32pm CST
So we're told to not use plastic bags anymore when we go shopping. We're also told to recycle as much as we can. So why is it that nearly all companies are coming up with smaller size foods? Individually packaged they call it. So now you can get Lay's chips in tiny bags instead of one bigger bag. Same with ice cream now, you can get Haagen Dazs ice cream in very small portion. You can now get small portion of cheese with crackers, all individually wrapped. I could go on and on with examples of those smaller packages which makes for MORE garbage!!
So my question is this. Now that we are told to try to not use as much plastic and packaging, why, WHY are all these companies coming up with smaller packaging? Does it make sense to you?
4 people like this
12 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
22 Jul 11
I am not sure but that is a good question. I know what you mean, it seems like everything is coming in smaller and smaller packages now and it's not only just about the consumption of plastic (not that we eat it, you know what I mean) but also the fact that less and less food is being put in with said stuff as well.
2 people like this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Exactly, not only is it a total waste of packaging and more crap in landfills but we get LESS food also for nearly the same price or a even higher price. Haagen Dazs said that they are concerned and want their customers to get a better product if its in smaller packages.......thats total bull!! I wont buy that brand from now on. They must think the consumers are totally stupid!!
Thanks for sharing!
@Amanda81587 (3042)
• United States
22 Jul 11
I can definitely see what you mean. But they are companies they are going to do whatever they can to sell a product even if it means literally portioning the sizes for us people who eat a whole bag of chips and think that it was one serving
so they know for the people who would like to control what they eat they can control themselves by buying these smaller packages and then yelling at us when we do not recycle ![](/Content/images/emotes/whistle.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/whistle.gif)
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Haha, oh so you mean to tell me that you wont eat 2 of those smaller packages because one seems to small?
I know what you mean.
Thanks for sharing!
![](/Content/images/emotes/wink.gif)
1 person likes this
@Amanda81587 (3042)
• United States
24 Jul 11
I defiantly eat more than one that's why i do not purchase them. They are expensive and I eat them to quickly. They are good for little ones though.
I can only limit myself when I am in the right mindset to lose weight.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Jul 11
I heard this story quite a while back and it really appealed to me.
When supermarkets began to charge for bags because of the move to reduce plastic in land fill and efforts to recycle, the people in a small European town reacted by unwrapping their purchases at the checkout of the supermarket. The message was to the supermarket managers...if they wanted customers to bring their own bags in an effort to reduce plastic, then the manufacturers should also be made to reduce their packaging.
Most of my rubbish at home consists of packaging and it's such a waste of time, money and energy dealing with it.
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
My point exactly. Theres this big propaganda about plastic bags and wrapping and now by wrapping everything into smaller container, it means even MORE packaging to throw away, which, to me is a nonsense.
Thanks for sharing!
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
22 Jul 11
... is this new? Little bags of Lays have been around for eons it seems.
Large companies aren't all following the moral code of this day and age. There are some that are, I know that the Oatmeal bars we buy stopped coming in boxes and started just coming in rip-off packets. It's kinda hard to explain, but it's the same number of bars and less packaging.
Use your buy power and stay away from hulking packaging. That's really all you can do.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Im not sure if its new, Ive just noticed it now and I have only because of this commercial on tv about Haagen Dazs ice cream coming in cup size containers. I thought it was ridiculous because if you figure it all out, it comes out to double the price of a regular container!!!
Im not buying into these smaller containers because I dont have money to waste and because I try to have less packaging that needs to be recycled or simply goes to the garbage because it cant be washed.
Thanks for sharing!!
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
23 Jul 11
It's a smart way to live. I prefer to buy in bulk too. Less stuff to throw away, which is better for the environment.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
I understand what you're saying, that its too heavy to transport for you. It must be good for some people. I dont use plastic bags to carry the things I buy at the supermarket, I use a cloth bags that I wash and reuse.
Thanks for sharing!
@swatibindal4 (10)
• India
23 Jul 11
surerly i agree but peopole can do anything to sell their products also its in demand being cheaper but the scrap out of it no one thought of it its surely makes more garbage.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
Yes makes more garbage which is not green at all or good for the environment but its also more expensive if you buy small packaged foods than buying in bulk, so the companies are making more money this way.
Thanks for sharing!
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
22 Jul 11
I know, I agree, it doesn't make a huge amount of sense for the most part. I think part of the reason they do that kind of packaging is for consumers where there's only one, or two, people living in a house..like the elderly. If they bought a regular family sized package, it would probably go to waste before it could all be used up. I can see where it would help for lunch boxes, camping and even traveling. But, that being said, I do think it boils down to more money for the food company. Most things are priced higher if they're broken down into smaller quantities. Just like when you buy meat at the market, and have them slice it thinner (or whatever) it makes the price per pound go up.
If they're going to do things in smaller packages like that, then I think they should make them in recyclable packaging. Too many people think in terms of ease of use, and don't give a thought to all this disposable waste going into landfills. I buy regular sized only, then if I need to repackage, it goes into Tupperwares or something that can go into my chest freezer. In lunch boxes, I use re-usable, washable & non-breakable containers. While I only have a bag every week or two for the garbage, almost all my neighbors have 2 or 3. I like to think I'm doing my part for ecology lol.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
You and me both are doing our part!! Im the same, I only buy regular size or even bigger size when possible because it comes out cheaper that way and I repackage everything so that it stays fresh.
The thing is, some of these smaller packages are only a few ounces smaller but yet, the price remain the same or is even higher at times. They must think that consumers are totally stupid.
We're doing our part....YAY!!
Thanks for replying!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
22 Jul 11
Personally yes it might be good for those who live alone, or for Snack foods to take in lunches, etc. but overall it makes for more garbage. It has always been just my husband and I most of the time in our house, and we usually almost always buy meat in Family size packages, etc. It just seems more economical this way, and this way we also are stocked up longer.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Its always hubby and me here too and I dont buy in small packages because A) it costs way more in the end and B) it creates more garbage!!
@ Stowyk: Precisely, it creates more trash and I thought we were in the process of taking care of the earth and NOT producing more trash!!
Thanks to both of you!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Jul 11
No, it doesn't make any sense to me plus the fact the prices are the same for the smaller packets.
I have noticed something else...scrimping on what goes IN the packets in the first place and not actually filling them to capacity.
I opened a pack of dessicated coconut earlier and it's only three quarters of the way full. This never used to happen, it was always filled to the top.
Not happy about this at all!![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbdown.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbdown.gif)
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Yup, giving us less and charging the same OR in some instances, charging us MORE than before!! We had a few journalists here checking on products and they found out that the quantity written on the package is NOT right. ALL the products they checked had less!!!!
They say the only way to stop this is if we ALL write to the companies and tell them that they owe us money because the quantity was wrong in the package we bought. You need to keep your bill and send it with your grievance. My cousin did this and she said they sent us coupons so she could get the products for free. So Im going to start doing this now with everything I buy. I have a scale at home and I'll be weighing everything and if it doesnt match, I'll write the company and hope to get free products also!!
Thanks for replying!
@mychickencurry (317)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
Although government seems pro active in supporting pro environment campaign, they still cannot contained big companies not to use plastic or other harmful chemicals in their products because those companies are the main source of tax.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
You're right, governments wont or cant do anything that goes against big corporations. Sounds like those big corporations are running our countries!!
Thanks for sharing!
@AngelHope2011 (199)
• United States
23 Jul 11
The reason why they're coming up with smaller packages is because they want to control how we eat and in some cases what we eat. Michelle Obama has been persistent in getting supermarkets to stock more fruits and veggies and to encourage restaurants to serve people smaller portions. That's probably why I had less fries when I ordered a pepper jack cheese burger at Bill Bateman's. No one wants an appetizer for a dinner. She's trying to get these restaurant to serve less so we can be pay more for less like when you're at a fancy restaurant. No one has the right to tell us what to eat and what to do like she is.
I agree with you far as the small packing goes. If they're telling us to use less, then why are they making smaller packages, that's wasting more material than needed.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
Id hate having government telling me what to eat or not eat or how much I can eat. They should start with themselves. They showed Michelle Obama and her husband eating hamburgers and fries not long ago. So goes to show you that they dont follow their preachings but want to control everybody else......not good!!
Yes smaller packages means more crap in the oceans......it all goes in the ocean you know?
Thanks for sharing!
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
Smaller packages means to me a lot of garbage. However some companies use smaller packages to prevent the shopper from using plastic bag. Well in doesn't really makes sense, there were always a pros and cons in using smaller packages. For me it is a company way to reach smaller individuals, they use packaging like economy size. In this way it will encourage the individuals to buy their products. But in the green economy it is not green at all it produces more garbage.
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
25 Jul 11
I think the companies do this so they can make MORE money. If you figure it out, you'll notice that it costs more if you buy small packaged products. No its not green at all.
Thanks for replying!
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)