>> tolivac wrote:
>> Refill package---you are still throwing out ANOTHER container!What would be better is a bulk
>> container at your store you fill YOUR detergent container from.Then there would truly be LESS
>> containers being thown into the waste system.
I'm not a fan of all of the disposable plastic either, but when weighing environmental impact, you really do have to look at the bigger picture.
Cardboard boxed products are rarely "just cardboard". Almost always they have plastic or waxy coatings, inside and out, to block moisture and improve durability. Those coatings make them very difficult to recycle, so they go straight to the landfill. They cost more to make too, due to the variety of materials and the steps to produce a formed multi-material box.
Plastic pouches, on the other hand, are single-material packaging, and therefore MUCH easier to recycle. In addition, they use less energy to produce, use less overall material, and are smaller for a given amount of product contained. Their deformable shape allows for more dense packing when put in cases for shipping to retailers, all of which reduces the environmental impact of the transportation of goods from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.
Bulk product dispensers of course are an even better solution for the environment, but they add hassle and mess for the retailer, and are perceived as less convenient for consumers, so selling product that way is an uphill battle.