Editor's Award Essay Winner: 9-14 Age Group

"Going Green and the Frustration of Overpackaging"

Emily Lui
California School for the Deaf
Fremont, CA

Too much overpackaging! So many things in stores are overpackaged. Did you know that one-third of our garbage is from overpackaging? Today when people are concerned about the environment, it is so frustrating that industries make it so difficult to become green.

Some companies overpackage with things that are not recyclable. For example, some foods or others come in double pack when really you only need one, and some things are overpackaged when they don't need to be, or only need a little. Besides that, they do not use biodegradable products. Also, this issue can hurt wildlife. If what the people bring home are not recyclable, people throw it in the garbage, and the garbage goes into the landfill, then it will end up in rainforests, oceans, jungles, and maybe back to your home, other places too, and then animals may think it's food or a toy when they see it and then... It ends up killing or harming them! It hurts for me to think about that.

I know there are like twenty ways to solve the problem. Try to choose biodegradable products. Companies won't change their habits until consumers like you and I demand it. If we chose products that have biodegradable packaging, and less, packaging the better! And that is why I think that it will help the environment. Also tell people about this, and if you see somebody buying a not recyclable product tell them to pick biorecyclable things. That's what I would do. I might just try that!

Now if you follow my ideas here is what will happen... We will have fresh air to breathe it won't be smelly, clean water to drink and swim in, and much more you name it! All this for a better cleaner planet.

I think it's worth it to do what I am asking you to do. If you think it's pointless, then your children can get sick from playing in dirt because there is much they can get sick from playing in it for one, trash. I don't think you want that. Do this and then, imagine it, a clean world for you and them! I know I can, and if I can you can. Think of your own reasons to help the Earth like I did.