Some people believe that manufacturers and supermarkets should minimize the packaging of material used. However, others think that consumers should avoid heavily packaged goods. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that manufacturers and supermarkets should minimize the packaging of material used. However, others think that consumers should avoid heavily packaged goods. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

There has been a profound debate on mitigating surfeit packing being used on goods by producers and grocery stores: while some believe this practice should be halted at the manufacturing end, others are of the opinion that consumers should boycott such goods.  

Some suggest that the onus of stopping this unsustainable practice should be borne by those engaged in producing and selling: this would help nip the evil in its bud. With the increasing competition many brands  have reported overpacking their merchandise to make it look more eye-catching. However, customers are least affected by the attractiveness of the wrapping, and admit as per several studies that they are primarily concerned with the content rather than how the packing looks. Furthermore, this will help preserve natural resources that are exploited to create packing, and also alleviate pollution caused by burning of fossil fuels while producing material to wrap products.  

However, consumers should also pay close attention towards details and must opt for goods that are not heavily packaged because if they boycott such goods, retailers and manufacturers would be forced to reduce their production, for they would not want their goods to remain unsold and cause them losses. Moreover, customers play a crucial role in setting market trends, and thus, with them opting for more sustainably-packed  products, producers and retailers would shift towards prudent packaging policies. For instance, a majority of people in Denmark avoided stores that sold goods in non-biodegradable  packaging in 2008, which compelled the businesses to abandon this system, and embrace eco-friendly policies.   

In conclusion, although consumers can influence the market by making responsible choices, manufacturers and retailers hold greater responsibility in reducing excessive packaging. Therefore, a combined effort from both producers and consumers is essential to effectively tackle the challenge of over-packaging.