IconCampaign: Pack in the Packaging

Christmas packaging: the facts

  • Excess packaging causes excess carbon emissions from the factories that make it.
  • The more paper and cardboard we use the more trees need to be cut down. Trees absorb carbon dioxide when they're alive. They don't when they're dead.
  • Logging wood for paper mills destroys the habitats of endangered species and destroys essential eco-systems.
  • Excess packaging adds to toy weight and volume which takes more effort to transport. The more effort needed, the more carbon is produced.
  • Most packaging cannot be recycled and ends up in landfill, sometimes for thousands of years: plastic and laminated card are the worst offenders.

The good, the bad and the ugly: examples we found

We had a look at some of the Christmas best-sellers in the UK. All of them are great toys - but many of them have lousy packaging. Go here for the results. Tell us what you found in your local toy shop. You can post your pictures on Green Sword. Or make a film and post it on YouTube - send us the link so everyone can see. That's what our Blog is for.

Good toy shops we found

Some toy shops are palaces of plastic. And some are inspiration places to shop. They try to cut down packaging and choose suppliers who do the same. Is there are gem that we've missed? Tell us about the best stores in your country on the Blog .

Your Shout: what you can do

  • Post your stories on our Blog : show us the packaging horror stories you have found; tell us about your best and worst toys; big up great shops that sell toys, not packaging.
  • Write to your local toyshop asking for less packaging on toys - and post a copy of your letter on our Blog.
  • Write to your local and national politicians asking for a clear law on toy packaging - and send us a copy to share with other Green Sword-ers.
  • Choose toys that have minimal packaging.
  • Look for packaging with recycling information on it.
  • Share your ideas for reducing toy packaging at Christmas on our Blog.
  • Tell all your friends about Green Sword. And ask them to Pack in the Packaging too.

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