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 Resource Centre

The Green Shopper Program
The 3R's Packaging Hierarchy

REDUCE: The First R
Minimal Packaging

Reduce is the most important of the 3R's. Packaging should be reduced prior to the manufacturing stage, by designing and marketing products for the first "R". This means reducing the number of layers, materials and toxins at source.

In general order of hierarchy, reduction occurs by:

  • using less packaging and by meeting all or most of the 3R's hierarchy, including reuse and recycle
  • minimizing the number of materials used
  • minimizing the weight and volume of materials used
  • employing bulk delivery systems
  • product concentration resulting in smaller packages
  • using fewer toxic chemicals in the product and its packaging
  • utilizing modes of shipping requiring less packaging and use of repairable pallets by manufacturers
  • using multi-layered, multi-material packaging. However, this usually makes the product non-recyclable (ie: composites, laminates)

Consumers should reject over-packaged products and request less packaging from the manufacturer and retailer.

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