Amazon going ‘frustration-free’

One of the worst things about getting a new gadget or toy is trying to free it from the hard plastic casing. To reduce those battles, Amazon.com Inc. said it was working with manufacturers to make the products it sells easier to open and more environmentally friendly.

Initially, the online retailer is altering the packaging in the U.S. for 19 top-selling products from manufacturers including Mattel Inc., Microsoft Corp. and flash memory card maker Transcend Information Inc.

The online retailer said that it is looking at eliminating plastic “clamshell” cases and plastic-covered wire ties that hold items in place. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said his goal was to get all things sold through the site into “frustration-free packaging.” Amazon also said it would work to use less packaging material.