Trying to Make A Difference

After re-stocking many toiletries and beauty products this weekend, I was alarmed at the amount of excess packaging that I had to recycle or throw out. I was equally disturbed when trying to recycle the empty containers of the used up products, just how much had to be thrown out (pumps and lids). Considering how much stuff we are forced to throw away, it dawned on me that I could do something about it. So I sat down and drafted a letter that I will be sending off to all the companies whose products I currently buy starting today, in the hopes that they will listen and make changes.

I encourage you to be equally creative in finding ways to use less, but if you don't want to bother with being creative about it, I'll include the copy of my letter, which can be emailed directly to the companies of the products that you use. I hate having to recycle wasteful cardboard packaging that didn't need to be produced in the first place. I am anxious to hear your ideas too.

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To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to ask your company to reduce the amount of packaging it uses for its products to a bare minimum, and to use recycled materials for the packaging that is required.

As a loyal customer of your products for xx years, (primarily using xx), and like many other American citizens, I have become concerned about careless use of the earth’s natural resources.

Using less packaging will not only reduce your company’s carbon footprint, it will save you money in production costs, and using recycled materials will simply make you a more responsible company. Since North America and Europe are currently consuming the largest proportion of goods, I am asking you to help us, your loyal customers, consume less while still using your products.

Additionally, I have to throw a large amount of plastic and metal in the trash since lids and pumps are not recyclable. If your company really wants to go the extra-mile, you could ask your research and development team to design pumps and lids that are recyclable also. This kind of innovation is something you could patent and profit from, while simultaneously reducing resource consumption.

I would like to continue to use your products, because I think they are good products, but I may have to switch to more earth-friendly companies that make similar products, so that I am not overly contributing to excessive consumption. I would like to continue using your products, so I implore you to take my request seriously and to take steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Sincerely,
Ali-kat