The Great Package Swindle
It’s not your imagination. You are getting less for your money. A new Consumer Reports reader survey found that a growing number of products are being downsized by manufacturers to cut costs (theirs not yours), while package sizes are remaining the same, and, in some cases, are growing.
Companies say customers prefer downsized products to price hikes. And Consumer Reports’ own survey suggests consumers are split, with half saying they prefer paying more to getting less. One thing is certain: more packaging means more waste–not just in terms of trash, but also greater quantities of raw materials, fuel, and energy consumed while producing and shipping larger containers.
Unfortunately, this common industry practice is more than just deceitful. It makes it even harder for the average consumer to follow the first and most important of the three conservation Rs: “reduce.”
A sampling of recently shrunk packages: Hershey’s special dark chocolate bar, Hellman’s mayonnaise, Iam’s cat food, Kellogg’s Froot Loops cereal, and Dial bar soap.
Read the full story at: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/news/2008/10/the-lowdown-on-downsized-products/overview/downsizing-ov.htm
June 26th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Great post! I love that you are taking the time to write about pet care. This is something near and dear to my heart. Take care.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Great post! I love that you are taking the time to write about pet care. This is something near and dear to my heart. Take care.