Packages within Packages

Oreos, one of the popular snacks in the world, now come in packages of 2 or 3 Oreos and there are even individually wrapped Oreos. Whereas a regular traditional box of Oreos contains about 30 cookies, these newer products are basically packages within packages. These “convenient” packages are incredibly wasteful as within a large box there are 12 smaller packages; this results in more unnecessary waste material. 

The company is selling these individually wrapped Oreos as a great “on the go” snack and is marketing this product towards families with kids and anyone else who don’t have the time to place 2 or 3 Oreos in a reusable container. Apparently, the appeal, as this blog post I found which was sponsored by Oreos, points out, is the ability to quickly put these individual packages in a purse or to easily tuck them into the glove compartment of a car. The two packs, according to Oreo, are “perfect for a quick treat at work, running errands, carpooling to family activities or family day trips.” 

This new “upgraded version” of this product is completely unnecessary. The actual product is exactly the same, only the packaging is different. Reusable containers are perfectly adequate. It’s really just a way to for the company to try and convince consumers that this is an easier way to provide your kids with snacks and that you’ll save time doing it. 

Plastic Cups, the epitome of waste

The American people have aimed all of their efforts at making products that are easy to use and inexpensive to purchase. One of the most wasteful products mass produced in American industry is plastic cups. Plastic cups are easy for parties and large gatherings because they are disposable and you do not have to clean them after the fact. These plastic cups are extremely wasteful though. The cups take an enormous amount of time to decompose and when burnt produce toxic chemicals. The cups have grown in popularity in today's culture because of the image of holding a red solo cup. Instead of just using one cup for drinking at a party, a party goer may use anywhere from 1-10 plastic cups depending on what they are drinking. It is extremely wasteful and a sleeve of 100 plastic cups can be used within an hour at a large gathering.
The plastic cup has gained its popularity from the "red solo cup" image, and the image of being a party cup. Everyone wants a red cup when they are drinking alcohol. Videos like this, are often used by companies to connect with the youthful consumer base. In this video, Hefty is advertising their party cup with a mom using terms that are common with teenagers. The Commercial also states the cups are "crack resistant" trying to make their product more appealing to the consumers. The plastic cup phenomenon became huge when song writer and artist Toby Keith came out with his hit song "red Solo Cup".  The song is all about a plastic "red solo cup". The song suggests that you do not know how to party or have fun if you do not use red plastic cups. Media like this have entertained the idea that plastic cups are needed at a party. It makes more sense just to use one cup and wash it after but the American people have this idea that they need to look cool at parties with their plastic red cups.  

The production of a product like this is harmful because they make things so much easier on the consumer but so much more difficult on the earth. The cups are used and disposed of at an amazing rate. There is no need to use 100 cups at a party with 15 people but it happens because people are lazy. they do not want to wash dishes so they would rather buy plastic cups and just throw them away after one drink.          
 

Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMcHB6Y5QVA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68
Pic:http://blog.catchmyparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Solo-Banner1.png : http://nationswell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3637758402_0246a4099d_o.jpg

Module 14 Example: Single-Waste Coffee

PROMPT
Explore a mass-produced product that has been created nearly entirely for simple consumption.  Examine one or more advertisements/commercials for this product and explore how the company presents it as a convenience, an essential to daily life, or something you just have to acquire. 

If you need help with some examples, you might find them here:

• 25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without
• 10 Things That are Super Convenient but Also SUPER Wasteful
• 13 Products That Are Unnecessary and Wasteful

In your blog post, explain the following:

• What is the mass-produced item?  Explain what it is and how it is wasteful.
• Link to or embed at least two examples of this product being sold. 
• Explain the ways in which the product appeal to audiences.
• Identify problems with the production and selling of the good according to the material from this week.
  

Relevant Labels/Tags:  consumerism, mass production, waste, [product you are discussion],

EXAMPLE

The rise of Keurig cups and machines in the last decade has been a disappointing surprise.  I was fascinated by the proliferation of coffee shops (namely, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks) since the 1980s, but while they don't seem to be stopping any time soon, we also see a growing abundance of Keurig machines.  For those who aren't familiar, there are small cups filled with concentrated coffee and coffee grinds that are popped into a machine that will generate a cup of coffee.  Basically, each small plastic cup generates one cup of coffee.  If you are like me and drink way more coffee than you should (some days, I may hit 6-8 cups), that would mean 6-8 plastic cups that are off to the garbage dump (note:  I don't use Keurig cups, I cold-brew my coffee in 1-gallon batches with minimal environmental impact).  Thus, the waste factor for Keurigs is pretty significant.  Never mind that these packets come in packaging when sold in stores, they are single use-products that can easily accumulate double digit waste per person with a day or two. 

What's interesting about the Keurig is that it pulls in people on two fronts.  The first is the Keurig machine, which is a machine, like most modern machines, cheap and susceptible to breaking down (and therefore needing a new one).  There's also the Keurig cups themselves that one needs to regularly purchase.  Thus, the user is not just buying a singular machine, but ultimately subscribing to their wasteful product. 

In terms of their advertising, I submit the following images and conversations. 

Source

This particular ad not only encourages users to feel negative sentiment but seems to promise that they will save time by having a Keurig.  They will still have to wait in line to buy the cups every so often, which is something the ad seems to ignore.  More importantly though, it encourages the viewer to feel like 60 seconds is the only amount of time they need in order to acquire their coffee--but that's just the amount of time needed for the Keurig to make the coffee.  It doesn't take into account the buying of Keurig, the transporting and storing of the Keurig cup.  Nor does it consider the time in which you must retrieve each Keurig cup each day as well as get a coffee mug and eventually throw out the Keurig cup and wash the cup.  It's hinting at simplicity when in fact, it isn't. 

Source.

Why is coffee courage?  What is courageous about coffee?  As a stimulant, it certainly doesn't give you courage but somehow, writing it in a manner that makes one think of coffee and somehow implying that Keurig is the coffee cup of courage makes sense for this full-page ad.  If Keurig coffee is "courage", then what does it say that it is single-use and quickly disposable?

Floss Picks

In the past couple of years or so floss picks have become widely popular in homes. Remember when we had just our ordinary coil of floss? We now have a new design and “fun” way to get kids wanting to floss more.  These floss picks, also called flosser picks are extremely wasteful because of the added plastic handle, not to mention these picks are only good for a one time use then you need to waste another one. Single use plastics are something environmentalists are trying to lower the numbers off everyday. Not to mention dentists are recommending using the old fashioned floss vs. the flossing picks.

Although this product is not ideal for the environment or efficient because of the plastic body, floss picks appeal to its audiences. The people using these floss picks see them as an easier alternative, it is much easier to reach the back of your mouth with these picks instead of regular floss and as many of  us know, most people choose the easier way out. Below are some recent ads from DenTek, a oral care company that produces thee floss picks.

As I discussed, the floss picks are a one time use, and often times you need more than just one floss pick during a single flossing time because of how little floss is actually there. So as soon as your done flossing, you end up having to run back to the supermarket to grab another pack and it turns into an ongoing cycle.

DenTek used men, in tough positions like enlisted in the army, or a martial arts fighter to get their message across. When you think of a floss pick you wouldn't really put two and two together but hey, to each their own. They could have been trying to make a point that even strong, tough, courageous men use their floss picks, and maybe if you use them you could be just like them.