Ethical Issues in Packaging Practices - Research Paper Example

Ethical issues arise when businesses use unfair or deceptive practices while advertising, packaging, promotion, pricing, and distribution among other activities. However, the concern of this paper is the ethical issues in packaging practices. The paper will begin by discussing what is packaging and its purpose. It will also discuss the practices involved in packaging such as labeling and the regulations in place concerning packaging and labeling of containers. The paper will also discuss what ethics is and the ethical issues involved in packaging as well as how they can be dealt with for businesses to be ethically responsible.

Being ethical can save the business costs associated with suits and also improve on its sales revenue, brand and company image and royalty. Packaging is the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages to protect products for distribution, storage, sale and use (Boone & Kurtz, 2012). Packaging products enables them to be transported easily to various market segments without any harm. Packages in this sense offer physical protection to products such as protection from shock and vibration.

It also protects products from water and dust among other harmful effects. Some containers are designed in such a way as to extend the shelf life of products and also ensure products remain fresh, clean, and safe. Another purpose of packaging according to Shimp (2007), is to transmit information to consumers through labeling. This ensures consumers are aware of the contents that make up the product, product quality and quantity, how to use the product, and how to dispose off the package after use.

There is also government requirement that consumers be made aware of the side effects of consuming certain products such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and other items hence packaging offers this service to consumers allowing them to make informed choices. This is especially so in an era where cases of child obesity are on the increase and people more aware of the need to reduce cholesterol intake and to eat healthy foods. Packaging is used by companies as a way of advertising products. When designing packages, manufacturers therefore take into consideration the needs of clients and the target markets.

However, while taking advertising into consideration, laws and regulations in place are supposed to be adhered to avoid lawsuits (Padilla, 2004). Packages also are used for containment of products for efficiency especially by grouping small items together. Items such as liquids and powder are also easily contained in a package. This also enables apportionment of the items into small quantities for convenience in distribution. Packaging enables goods to be secured especially for shipment whereby a seal is inserted to avoid theft.

Packaging is therefore a very important activity for businesses as it directly affects sales hence should be handled with care. The government and other agencies are keen on packaging practices to ensure ethical standards are maintained and that consumers get value for their money without being deceived. Ethics is a term commonly used in every aspect of our lives as it determines the behavior of individuals and firms in the market. However, it is also a controversial term as it depends on people’s perception of what is right or wrong or moral; what is considered