The US presidential election, with its attendant hype and brouhaha, will dominate 2008. Look below the surface though, and the exercise in democracy is very impressive. Ordinary people can take part and meet candidates to shape their choices before casting their votes, through local caucuses in homes and halls.
Maybe for once we can learn from the politicians. How do you take part in your industry? Reading magazines like this one, or e-mail alerts maybe, picking out the pieces that appeal or are directly relevant. That’s hardly shaping the agenda, is it?
It may be a bit late for a New Year’s resolution, but here’s one for you: get off your rear end and get involved – with your institute, society or trade association – go to seminars, talks, factory visits, see other businesses and get the alternative perspective that will help you do your own job better and will make the industry as a whole a more engaged, dynamic entity. Gain from the experience of others and share your knowledge with them.
Packaging, perhaps more than ever before, is under fire from well-meaning, but un-informed “greens”. We need to be able to drive the debate and to do that we need to work together, not just in Parliament, but also in the “local caucus” of the pub, our homes and the golf club.
Here’s something to throw back at the doubters, courtesy of the East Midlands Packaging Society:
The Packaging Perspective
Oh Mr Grocer, be careful with me plums
Folk have bruised the apples by squeezing with their thumbs
Pack the caulis carefully, preserve their pretty shapes
And just to help me get them home
Can you please bag up the grapes?
For packaging saves waste, you see
And performs a vital task
But isn't it "just rubbish" as many of you ask?
Well pause a mo' and think it through, 'cos if packaging wasn't there
We'd be ankle deep in rotten food chucking methane in the air
What does this tin contain please and how long will it last?
Has this jar been tampered with and is the lid held fast?
If there were no packaging, there would be upset tums
When considering the issues, you must do ALL the sums
So think before you criticise and pause before you curse
The pack protects, preserves, informs – the alternative's far worse
Before you lobby your MP consider, in your group
Returning from the grocer's, how would you carry soup?
IOP: The Packaging Society's Ian Morris