Liberty Intercept Blog

According to a recent L.A. Times article, Wasteful Packaging: Do consumers care?, fewer American consumers now believe they should be responsible for recycling packaging materials than they did in 2009. This seems counter-intuitive to me considering all the public discourse about packaging waste available on a daily basis. On Twitter and StumbleUpon, in blog posts and news articles, there is much ado about packaging and packaging waste. Driving through my neighborhood on trash pickup day I see evidence that, at least locally, people are recycling more and throwing away less.

For well over a year, my brother-in-law Spencer has immersed himself in the artistic glass industry.  Spencer works, plays, talks, studies, teaches, and I’m sure dreams glass.  He has gone to glass work camps and seminars, where he has met and worked with some of Americas most renowned glass artists.  Though in the field for a relatively short time, intellectually curious Spencer is one who will learn as much as can absorbed about a particular topic.  He recently made the comment that American glass makers are some of the best in the world.  European glass artists may have the name and reputation, but the American artists are making very creative pieces as well.  Spencer is from Britain and in the 10 years I’ve known him, has shown a healthy pride for the European side.  It was kind of him to share his new found deep respect for this particular American craft.

Packaging is the third largest industry in the U.S. Packaging is a $100+ billion a year industry and growing as technology continues to develop new materials and processes based on consumer demand for quality, safety and more earth-friendly applications.

Because Liberty Packaging is in the industrial packaging business, when information comes out regarding exporting, we pay attention.  The big picture in this fragile economy requires U.S. manufacturers to export more and Liberty Packaging wants to do our part to help.  For our economy to grow and come out of this unemployment slump, we can’t depend upon our government or U.S. consumers to drive sales; there is not enough demand here for the type of high value manufactured goods that our country produces.  As most every informed citizen knows, a great quantity of the manufacturing of low end consumer goods has left our shores to be produced in economies with less expensive labor.

For two consecutive deliveries, Peapod's service provided my $150+ grocery order in so many plastic handle grocery bags, it was astonishing. In fact, the nice young delivery man seemed embarrassed by the glut of plastic bags. Many bags held only one container of yogurt (I ordered six yogurts, which arrived in three separate plastic bags) or two bananas, or half a pound of cheese. I realize items come from different departments in the store or warehouse, but there must be a better way. The driver kindly offered to recycle the bags for me; I quickly emptied as many as possible so he could do that. Smart man - good customer service.

Recent news indicates that auto manufacturers Toyota, Subaru and Honda in the U.S. and elsewhere are encountering a shortage of automobile parts due to the earthquake in Japan. This will affect the manufacture and sales of automobiles as well as automobile parts and auto repair for an unspecified time.

The title does not refer to my beloved Red Sox, but to my own home team at Liberty Packaging.

We've finally launched our new Liberty Packaging Co., Inc., website - this project (like many home repairs) was a little more involved than initially expected but the results are spectacular. Our initial plan was revised moderately as we progressed and we're grateful for the beautiful design work of our long-time web and graphic designer, Steve Parrish, of Parrish Design. Steve did all the heavy lifting and provided the appropriate guidance and hand-holding for us to complete our homework assignments, providing him with the content required to finish the job. Steve is a reliable member of our team and has been almost since we started Liberty Packaging.

Two servicemen showed up at 10 a.m. and opened the three large boxes of washing machine replacement parts that had been decorating our living room for a week. The protective packaging consisted of a corrugated three foot cube box - no inner packing materials; some loose corrugated supports - no bubble wrap, no newspaper, no packing peanuts, no air pillows - nothing to cushion the item inside. Evidently, a simple corrugated carton could not withstand whatever treatment it received in the warehouse and during shipment. The rigid nylon bearing tub part, essential to the job, was cracked on two sides - not usable.

“You are always on my mind”...... it’s true - packaging is something I enjoy immensely and notice constantly - new materials, designs, labels, colors, and from my experience in the ad specialties industry, logos - packaging is always on my mind.

What brings this subject to mind is my very recent new-found respect for grocery store brands. I first noticed it when introduced to Whole Foods house brand 365. The products are good quality and definitely a value when compared with their pricing on other items.

Packaging is what catches your eye in the cereal aisle at the grocery store. It's the reason you gravitate to those great headphones in the big box electronics store or that geegaw on the checkout counter at the 24-hour shop near your office. Packaging, or more accurately, packaging design, when well thought out and executed, speaks to you, the target audience, and draws you in. Colors, brand names, materials, fonts, inks, logos, taglines, and mission statements, often more than what the product actually is or does, will dictate your purchase.