Packaging, in general, is the bane of the environmentalist's existence. Its ubiquitous nature is frustrating. From styrofoam take-home boxes at restaurants, to the plastic used in shipping, to the multi-layered packaging in many grocery-store products, the whole industry needs an overhaul. However, what particularly annoys me is the recent trend towards heat-sealed packaging.

     If you've bought any small electronics within the past couple of years, you've probably encountered this stuff. Because plastic itself wasn't enough, someone decided it was even better to seal the edges of the plastic so it could not be breached with anything short of a chain saw. It's impossible to remove your item from the package without completely destroying its housing, making returns difficult at best. 

      If you're lucky, you can get to your new toy without slicing open any of your fingers - not on the knife, mind you, but on the sharp edges of the plastic itself.

      Now, using these things for electronics items is bad enough, but I was stunned to find the same packaging on lightbulbs! Worst yet, these were the fluorescent bulbs we keep hearing touted as more environmentally friendly than incandescents. I'm not doubting that they are more energy-efficient. As such, the bulbs themselves are certainly more eco-friendly. However, some of that effect is certainly negated by the use of non-biodegradable materials in the packaging.

     What's worst here is that none of the "three r's" can be applied to heat-sealed plastics. It's additional plastic, negating the idea of reduction. You have to cut them open, so they can't be reused. In many areas, the types of plastics used for this are not even recyclable.

      So what can we do? Short of boycotting the products which use this type of packaging (which may not be practical, considering its wide-spread usage), it may seem hopeless. My suggestion, however, is to start writing letters. Write to companies - manufacturers and retailers alike - and let them know how inconvenient these plastics are to the consumer. If enough voices are heard, perhaps a change can be made!