Why aren't manufacturers mandated to go greener by selling refills instead of everything in plastic bottles?

Question

Is this solely due to marketing? I

Answer 1

There are definitely some economics involved. I do think though that our governments are trying to get things going on the right track. You have to remember that they have alot going on and that green initiatives often take a back seat to things that will spur the economy.

Answer 2

It takes more energy to ship products in glass bottles than to ship plastic due to the weight of the glass, and it takes less energy to produce a new plastic bottle than to re-use a glass bottle.  Re-using a bottle uses energy in each of these steps:

1.  Transportation of the used bottles back to the manufacturer.

2.  Sorting out bottles that are damaged or too worn to use.

3.  Cleaning and sterilizing the bottles.

Answer 3

what gets me is you see an advertisement for fabric softener telling you to buy it in concentrate form to cut down on the plastic and transport costs and fuel emmisions so why dont they just make it all concentrate now instead of giving you the option ?

Answer 4

We need to address this type of issue with our congressmen. You are so right. Also all the extra packaging that is not even necessary. It's such a waste. The junk mail really angers me too.  I have been able to stop much of it but its always a continuing process.

Answer 5

I think it is. Going green seems to be the hot thing right now. They just want to take advantage of the potential profit right now. I'm sure there are some that are genuine.

Answer 6

because they pay the politians to keep bills out of congress that would mandate these types of things.   A company that makes bottles would probably go out of business if it were mandatory to reuse the bottles they make. They would either have to suffer the losses or devot a portion of their company to washing and reusing their product.  so instead they simply pay off the politians to keep bills that would make recycling madatory.

Answer 7

Because the first time some idiot puts the refill into a container they forgot to clean and gets sick on the contents, some other idiot will award them a multi-million dollar judgment.

- Xan Shui

Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man