This text reviews alternative concepts of packaging design while trying to uncover the reasons for such an extensive packaging waste problem – despite the implemented legal, economic and NGOs systems as well as progressing LCA (life cycle assessment) technologies, the situation remains out of control. Yearly, Great Britain produces c. 10 million tons of packaging waste, while in the United States the quantity reaches 68 million tons. According to Eurostat, sectors largely responsible for generating packaging waste include households and services. The article poses the question, but the answer is by no means easy or pleasant – for users, designers, and the society on the whole.
Keywords: design studies, communication design, sustainable design, reflective design, packaging design