“Out of sight, out of mind.” This trope phrase is held by many teenagers of my generation. When it comes to the environment, however, the implementation of this phrase can be a huge problem. Being a part of a family that has traveled for missions trips, I have been to intriguing, distinctive and pleasant places both in the US and around the world. Among these are the states Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, as well as the countries Ireland, Canada, and Hungary. None of these locations, however, have been able to compare to my home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Lancaster County is a unique place of rolling hills, abundant farmlands, and rich traditions.
Being a rural community, Lancaster works hard to maintain its pristine environment. Road crews are out collecting trash on a regular basis and volunteer groups enthusiastically pitch in as well. About 5 miles down the road, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) is hard at work managing trash and recyclables in Lancaster county. Despite the efforts of LCSWMA, and hard-working teams of workers, over the last 10 years, I have watched as the mound of trash at the landfill continues to rise. Daily, I drive past overflowing dumpsters. Lancaster County is indeed a beautiful place, but excess packaging and trash is a true threat to our country side.
In order to improve our environment, it would be beneficial to increasingly switch to environmentally-friendly, green packaging. Green packaging is healthier for the environment because it is made from recycled waste materials and requires fewer resources to produce. Utilizing green packaging would greatly minimize the amount of packaging material used to ship goods as well as help reduce our carbon footprint. Green packaging is also easier to dispose of and would take up less space in our overflowing waste bins.
Green packaging is also advantageous to manufacturers and consumers. Eco-packaging materials tend to be free from harmful byproducts that can cause physical health concerns.
This eco-friendly solution is also beneficial to business owners. By utilizing earth-friendly packaging, companies become established as economically and socially aware. Customers are given an immediate good first impression with these companies and even feel more positive about a company that uses green packaging. Additionally, customers tend to be drawn to smaller packaging. Consumers are more likely to purchase more of an item when it is presented in smaller packaging in stores. Eco-friendly packaging can also be bought in bulk which lowers costs and reduces the environmental load. Overall, using green packaging boosts sales and creates a positive atmosphere for the company all while improving the environment.
Society does an excellent job of promoting solutions for healthier eating habits and lifestyles. If we think of improving the environment like going on a diet- we are essentially making a healthier choice. It is easier to make a healthier choice when we see others around us doing the same. So let’s go green as a team! In this way, we will be able to keep Lancaster County, and the world, as beautiful as it was created to be.
Karly Kabakjian
Penn Manor High School
