05/30/07 Eco-Friendly Packaging

In the eco-sensitive carbon neutral climate we all are attempting to navigate a new movement is afoot with some big players. Both Wal-Mart and the Coca-cola Company have vowed to become plastic neutral, meaning they will utilize less packaging and diligently urge their venders to do the same. In fact Coca-cola redesigned their bottle to use considerably less plastic but it has backfired a bit as the company now must convince wary consumers that though lighter, the bottles contain the same volume. Estee Lauder should also be applauded for the millions the company has invested with aluminum smelters to design recyclable makeup tops and tubes. Yet the majority of American companies fail to put planet before profit and many wouldn't consider sacrificing hard earned brand image. Then there are those that go to opposite extreme like Redux Beverages that use offensive advertising and packaging to grain product attention. As in the case of the recently banned Cocaine Energy drink that in this eco-sensitive era even sports a pop-top of sorts.