I had purchased rechargable NiMH batteries and an accompanying charger from Energizer because I was
sick of throwing out traditional batteries, as I was instructed to do by my local hazardous waste facility, which maddeningly enough does not take alkaline batteries! I was quite pleased by my purchase, as this would mean I could reduce my waste and reuse batteries many times over!
But there was a problem, but not with the product itself (which actually works very well)---no, it's the packaging. There is no recycling number imprinted on the plastic packaging! How ironic, I thought, that I purchase a product for its Earth-friendlier properties, and I get saddled with non-recyclable packaging!
I promptly emailed Engergizer, and basically lambasted them for not having recyclable packaging. They emailed back that their packaging is "actually rated #3". I inquired how a recycling facility would be able to tell what kind of plastic their packaging is if it has no number? They responded that it is not required that they put the number on their packaging. I retorted that by not putting the recycling number on their packaging, that they were perpetuating wastefulness amongst their consumers, who upon seeing that there is no number on their packaging, would promptly discard the packaging. Also, I reiterated my confusion as to how a recycling facility would discern whether or not this unnumbered packaging was recyclable or not? I implored them to consider imprinting the recycling number in their packaging and to be responsible stewards of the environment.
Well, anyway, I don't expect them to bow to my request, but if it is not required to put the recycling number on packaging, then WHY is it not required? Also, even though it isn't currently required, shouldn't companies in this day and age do it anyways? I think it's called...um, how do you say...oh, yes---"corporate responsibility"?
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