30 Of The Worst Examples Of Unnecessary Packaging On Products (New Pics)

"If you’re looking to cut down on plastic packaging, a great place to start is by choosing products that use minimal or plastic-free packaging for products where this is allowed," Amber told Bored Panda. "For instance, it's pretty difficult to cut plastic out of your groceries these days, but it's very easy to shop for plastic-free beauty products, so I always suggest people start here, as it's easier to gain footing."

"The best choice is packaging that's compostable, such as a paper or cardboard-wrapped shampoo bar versus a plastic bottle of shampoo, or a cardboard tube of deodorant. If compostable packaging isn't available, look for reusable packaging, like glass jars, though noting this is really only much better of the person actually intends to try to reuse and repurpose," the expert continued.

"There are also more and more companies offering refill schemes these days, like The Good Fill or Greatfill Basically, they send products in a plastic refill pouch, which you can use to fill your own container (or buy one to reuse from them) then send the empty pouch back to be cleaned and reused."

Amber says buying in bulk is another simple way to reduce waste, especially if you bring your own reusable containers. "Refill stations are also becoming more common, especially in metro areas, so you can top up on things like detergents, shampoos, and other essentials without creating more waste," she shared.

"And yes, sometimes plastic packaging is unavoidable, but it doesn't necessarily need to get thrown away. Get creative with packaging—reuse it for storage, crafts, or other practical purposes to give it a second life before recycling," Amber continued. "For example, if I get a plastic poly bag or a plastic mailer bag, I save these and then use them to protect items that I mail if I resell old clothes on a platform like eBay. That way I know it's at least getting one more use before being thrown away."

Kris also added that she often sees “compostable” plastic products that food vendors like to use as an eco-friendly option, but these aren't as great as they seem. "They are still plastic, and they are compostable ONLY in special commercial facilities which are few and far between," she explained. "It’s greenwashing to make people feel better about their daily to-go cup of coffee, unfortunately."

"Ultimately, reducing plastic packaging is a systemic challenge that requires collective action," Amber says. "Consumers can do their part, but companies and governments also need to adopt circular economy principles, invest in better recycling infrastructure, and innovate in sustainable packaging. Education and awareness are key to driving this change—sustainability can only become truly accessible when the system evolves to make greener choices the default."