Category: <span>Social Justice</span>

I did choose today to do a lot of running around. Mum called me with a ‘quick come down to xyz op-shop’ there’s a mass of ‘Brown Sugar’ seconds on a rack here. So I did (because I had places to go near there) and got two tops for $5 each. They retail for ~$60.

So I went and then wound around in some back streets for a bit to find the epson printer service place. Unlike the last time where I rocked up only to find a sign on the door saying ‘they’d moved’, they were there so I relinquished my A3 baby for 5 or so days.

Now today is hot. Melbourne’s weather has flipped on it’s head again. My car is ala-crapola meaning you don’t run the air conditioner (even though it works) because it makes the automatic even more likely to stall.

So being well past lunchtime and me being insanely thristy, I decided I’d grab something at McDonalds. It was that or Red Rooster – not a place littered with cafes or other options. Healthy I know, but frozen coke on a day like today is really quite perfect.

I’d love to totally bash Macca’s but I admit that I like some of their food (in moderation and only now and then) and they do opt-in on the convenience level. But really McDonalds, what the hell is with all your packaging?!

Burgers used to come in paper – now in boxes. Right OK I get it. It’s easier for the people to a put burger in the box than wrap it. But now they put the boxes in bags – usually whether you need the bag or not. Now, the boxes say Recycle (NB. Not recycled paper), but no do McDonalds stores have recycling bins?

And the bags!

If I come into the store, I am most likely staying to eat in the store. Otherwise it’s drive through or the odd occasion where I think I could cope in asking for a bag. Give me a tray if it’s too much for me to carry, but hey, even those come with a paper sheet of advertising. Don’t automatically assume I want a bag to carry my burger, fries and drink 5 metres to that table over there.

I was considering this rant while ploughing through my Google Reader and came across this post on One Plus One Equals Three.

The End of Packaging: Some Thoughts

Packaging is an interesting thing as a Communication Design student/future real-working-person designer. In many ways I should love it, but when the shit hits the fan I’d rather live on a greener planet than supply myself with more work. I really need to suss out and decide on my ethical stance when it comes to working because ‘greener’ mightn’t always be an option for smaller clients.

This semester (and I think I’ve already mentioned it) I am studying package design, which I am really quite excited about. No doubt the ethics thing will come up. Thankfully I think that Swinburne Uni is relatively good at exploring the environmental implications of who they are training up for the workforce.

Next time you’re at Macca’s probably don’t tell the person to shove it where it belongs, but do refuse the bag. Maybe even harass the company via email – if you can navigate the new crap website. Better still, go and start your own enviro-friendly fast food joint (if it were possible). I would buy from you every single time. That would mean no Big Mac ever again, and that would hurt just a little.

image found here