Ecology Action has established a hierarchy of packaging options. At the top of the hierarchy sits what we find to be the most environmentally and economically sensible package: none at all. Most products, it turns out, can go to market without a package. At the bottom of the hierarchy sits the non-recyclable, disposable package. We have yet to identify a product that requires disposable packaging.

In more detail, and in order of preference, the hierarchy goes like this:

1) Bulk Unpackaged Sales
Consumers, if necessary, bring their own packages to the store. Manufacturers, in turn, reuse their own product containers. No packaging waste is generated. Manufacturers and distributors backhaul empty crates, barrels, bins, etc. after delivery of new products. By making use of empty trucks, we reduce the need for forest and mineral resources and the associated land despoliation, transportation, pollution, and energy use required to make new packages. Most household products (dish soap, motor oil, floor wax, you name it) and many food products lend themselves to bulk unpackaged sales. Many people already use this for flour, shampoo and more. Remember though, to bring your own package; getting a new bag or container at the store defeats the purpose.

2) Reusable Packaging
Packages are returned to manufacturers for cleaning and reuse. Remember the days of returnable bottles. Dairy products, for which contamination and spoilage are serious concerns, and carbonated beverages, which need to be packaged properly to retain quality, are candidates for reusable packaging.

3) Recyclable Packaging
Discarded packages are used as raw material for new products. It's a challenge to think of a product that couldn't be sold with bulk unpackaged sales or reusable packaging. We have thought of cardboard boxes for deliveries or durable goods like computers, and ream wrappers for printing paper (which we could use a lot less of anyway). Even these, though, have less wasteful alternatives. This does not, however, eliminate the need for recycling; all of the products themselves should be recycled in the end.

4) Biodegradable Packaging
Packages are made exclusively from plant sources, and can be composted to aid in the production of raw plant material. Here's where we face one of the more difficult problems: food packaging -- cups, containers, bowls, plates, utensils, and so on. We're working in Santa Cruz County to help food businesses to allow and encourage consumers to bring their own drink cups and to-go containers. That's the first order of business, but for those times when we just need something to go and don't have the container, the container should be composted in a municipal composting facility (or even in your home compost; we've been composting paper plates from big parties for years without any problems). The food contamination prohibits recycling, and modern composting schemes can handle even meat waste.

5) Disposable Packaging
For extremely limited use when no other option is practical. We invite you all to identify a product that would require disposable packaging.