Environmental Leader

Companies like Amazon.com, Sony, Microsoft and Best Buy have begun looking into alternatives to plastic “clamshell” packages, The New York Times reports. A goal of at least some of these efforts is to be more environmentally friendly by using less packaging material

In November, Amazon.com launched “Frustration-Free Packaging,” which ships products in recyclable cardboard boxes. So far the initiative includes 19 bestselling products from manufacturers such as Fisher-Price, Mattel, Microsoft and Transcend and will expand across Amazon’s international sites in 2009.

Microsoft recently unveiled a ziplock-like plastic container for its Explore computer mice it sells at Best Buy. The container looks like typical packaging but has a plastic zipper on each side.

Sony has started an internal project it calls “death of the clamshell.” The company is developing three packaging prototypes that it plans to test in the near future at Best Buy and Wal-Mart Stores.

In September, CardPak Inc., and Winterborne Inc. announced they are are joining resources to bring sustainable packaging products and services to the clamshell and blister packaging markets.

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