Too Much Packaging

Yesterday I had a really good day. I got up the nerve to ask for my McDonald’s chicken sandwich without the Styrofoam box, I figured out how to recycle my aluminum cans, and I finally got my groceries in paper bags!

But it was all so difficult! The clerks at McDonald’s were very nice, but I had to go inside and the manager had to be consulted. The aluminum can machine is not operational on Tuesdays (the first time I tried), and the box person finally got the idea that I did not want my paper bags inside plastic bags, just paper alone (third try). I wasn’t courageous enough to make him take them out the first time, nor make him go to another check stand when he ran out the second time.

All the time, I am taking home groceries packaged in plastics that I don’t need and have no choice if I want the item.

With the problems of landfills that cities/states are experiencing, is our city/state government offering incentives to manufacturers who use less packaging and more biodegradable packaging? Are they prepared to fine companies who do business in their area if they don’t? I think the carrot-and-stick approach works for solving most problems. Perhaps we should be more imaginative with our approach.

NANCY FREEMAN

Long Beach