Excessive packaging, describing the packaging as too many consumables, too heavy, too bulky, too high cost, too gorgeous decoration, too beautiful words, etc. The main body of responsibility for curbing excessive packaging and recycling packaging waste should be the producer. Relevant national policies explicitly prohibit excessive packaging of products. However, some companies still run in the opposite direction and cross the regulatory red line.
A variety of products were found to be excessively packaged
According to the follow-up supervision and random inspection results of product packaging reduction (excessive packaging) released by the Shanghai Market Supervision and Administration Bureau, 9 batches of products were found to have unqualified packaging voids, involving the production of the nominal Shandong Dexingtang Ejiao Products Co., Ltd. 1 batch of "Shu De Tang" donkey-hide gelatin cake; 1 batch of "Zhou's" hericium yam, barley and oats produced by Guilin Zhou's Shunfa Food Co., Ltd., 1 batch of "Zhou's" health gift, 1 batch of One batch of "Beekeeper" flower-scented acacia frozen top (acacia honey), one batch of "Beekeeper" donkey-hide gelatin honey paste; one batch of "Jie's Bee Society" produced by Shenzhen Jason Food Technology Co., Ltd. (consignor) "Hardcover gift, 1 batch of "Jieshi Ruijian" Cordyceps militaris bird's nest drink; nominally produced by Suzhou Shangmei International Cosmetics Co., Ltd. 1 batch of L'Oreal Black Essence gift box; nominally produced by Guilin Zhiren Food Industry Co., Ltd. (consigned producer) 1 batch of "Zhiren" acacia honey paste.
China Quality News found that many brands had been named due to excessive packaging.
According to the supervision and random inspection results of product (condiment/cocoa and roasted coffee) package reduction (excessive packaging) in 2022 announced by the Shanghai Market Supervision Administration on February 2, 2023, the nominal name of Shanghai National Native Food Co., Ltd. (entrusted The void ratio of the packaging of Peili brand shrimp roe soy sauce produced by Shanghai Daily Heiqiao Enterprise Development Co., Ltd. (Chinese distributor) is not up to standard; qualified.
The Shanghai Market Supervision Bureau announced on January 19, 2023 the results of the 2022 Shanghai bee product packaging reduction (excessive packaging) supervision and spot check results showed that 16 batches of products were found to be unqualified for "packaging void ratio", involving "breeding Beekeeper's milk vetch honey, "Mingshiwei" royal jelly honey products, "Fengyuong" sweet blessing honey, "Zhiren" acacia honey paste, etc.
How does the enterprise deal with the unqualified packaging products found in random inspection? Are there any relevant corrective measures such as repackaging? In this regard, China Quality News Network called the manufacturers named Guilin Zhoushi Shunfa Food Co., Ltd. and Suzhou Shangmei International Cosmetics Co., Ltd. to inquire about the situation. As of press time, the calls of these companies could not be connected.
"Matryoshka" packaging is offensive
Packaging improves the brand image of the product and the shopping experience of consumers to a certain extent. However, some practices that use exaggerated packaging and decoration functions to obtain more value from consumers are not advisable.
Ms. Li, who advocates a minimalist life, told China Quality News Network that during the holidays, the family will receive packaged items from relatives and friends. "Some things are comparable to 'matryoshka'. It looks like a big box. When you unbox it, you can see three layers inside and three layers outside plus a lot of materials that fill the space. If you remove these things, there are not many things. If It’s not that the packing material takes up more space, this stuff could have been packed in a smaller box.”
A consumer survey on excessive packaging previously released by the Qinghai Consumers Association showed that in terms of views on excessive packaging, more than 50% of consumers believe that excessive packaging is common in products, especially mooncakes, tea, and cosmetics in gift boxes. 62.7% of consumers believe that excessive packaging should be resolutely resisted.
Guo Lizhu, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm, said that excessive packaging of products will indirectly infringe on the rights and interests of consumers. Merchants attract consumers to buy through excessive packaging to increase profits. For consumers, the cost of product packaging is included in the product price and is ultimately passed on to consumers.
Why is excessive packaging difficult to manage?
It is understood that in order to pursue high profits, some food and cosmetics companies have designed and used too many layers of packaging, too large a void ratio, and the cost is too high. Large packaging for small items, heavy packaging for light items, and repeated packaging are the main forms of excessive packaging for products on the market.
According to industry insiders, excessive packaging is harmful. On the one hand, it increases the cost and raises the selling price, and these costs are ultimately borne by consumers. On the other hand, it will also cause waste of resources and environmental pollution.
