Tama Samus 🏳️‍⚧️✨💖May 5, 2024

Is there a term for when you buy a consumable product, but you can't use a certain percentage of the product due to the company's packaging?

I bought a squeeze-bottle of mayo since the method of use was easier (just squeeze and done, rather than use a spoon or knife), and the price was the same for the same amount in a jar or squeeze bottle, so it's not that I'm getting more or less for different packaging.

However, I've come to realize that when you get near the end of the squeeze bottle, you can't do anything to get that last 10% out due to the narrow neck, where I definitely could use a spatula in a jar.

"Wastage" came to mind, but I feel that is more along the lines of "it spoiled" rather than "I can't access it", but technically, that's still waste.

I'm just wondering if there's a way to define "wastage through design" or something like that

Show threadvxoMay 5, 2024

@Tama23 this gets really bad with conditioner sometimes, thicker formulas don't want to come up to the bottle neck so you can use them. I usually grab the bottle by the base with the cap securely closed and sling it to centrifuge the contents to the top of the bottle

(the sound it makes if you lose your grip on the bottle and it lands in the tub can wake the actual dead)

Show threadFinnley DolfinMay 5, 2024

@vxo @Tama23

Many years ago on I think it was "Beyond 2000", we were promised containers which were hydrophobic so every last drop would come out.

Show threadAsbjørn Ulsberg

@FinnleyDolfin @vxo @Tama23 I came here to post this comment. I suppose the reason we haven’t gotten hydrophobic containers is because:

1. Containers would cost more to produce.
2. Less waste means less sales.

Thus, there’s no incentive for producers to start using hydrophobic containers. Sad.

May 6, 2024 at 11:52amWeb
Show threadvxoMay 6, 2024
@bitbear @FinnleyDolfin @Tama23 heck, I'd be happy with those just coming in this kind of package. It's essentially a bag with a lightweight screw cap thing, and it can stand up. Unfortunately, I don't think the multi layer plastic pouch portion of it is recyclable.
Show threadAsbjørn UlsbergMay 6, 2024

@vxo @FinnleyDolfin @Tama23 Yeah, that looks quite like the container for purée products from Ella's Kitchen. Not very recyclable, but at least possible to squeeze and roll until 99.9% empty.

https://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/shop/the-red-one-fruit-smoothie

The Red One | Baby Smoothie

The Red One fruit baby smoothie, full of organic goodness + yummy tastes for your little one to enjoy!

Ella's Kitchen
Show threadvxoMay 6, 2024
@bitbear @FinnleyDolfin @Tama23 yeah I've seen it used for stuff like that too. When it's emptied out, it's a rather satisfyingly flat lightweight little piece. I'm guessing the twist off cap might be recyclable, I haven't seen if it's got a plastic type code on it. The part that's welded to the pouch is kinda mostly air space.