Japanese packing

Prior to the anticipated arrival of our belongings from Japan, we rented a large storage unit which we believed would give us plenty of space in which to unpack and edit our saucepans. However, when the Japanese shipment arrived, the unit was filled to bursting and we could barely close the doors.

And the picture above demonstrates why. It shows the contents of a cardboard box, approximately half a metre square. Its contents were a plastic mustard pot and spoon, a metal pencil sharpener and a tiny clip of about 4cm high. Each was carefully and individually wrapped in layers and layers of paper. Many boxes contained similar items which, in reality required little, or no protection or space.

It made me angry. Not only the wasted packing, but also the shipping miles, not to mention the waste of our dollars in storing boxes. Whilst I believe that the Japanese do things beautifully and with such finesse, some things are over the top and a total waste of natural resources.

One consolation is that the cardboard boxes were strong and have now survived two moves and along with the paper wrapping, have been freecycled in Sydney.