Why is some packaging difficult to open?

I had to buy a new toothbrush today – to replace an old electric one that won’t charge anymore. The new one is exactly the same as the old one - though probably more expensive this time – and somewhat pointlessly, I picked another colour.

But I have to vent my frustration at the packaging. It came in a hard plastic package, which I now know is ‘clamshell’ packing, and there are several reasons why manufacturers use this, which I will explore further along. It was almost impossible to get into - scissors wouldn’t ‘cut’ it (pardon the pun), and eventually, I opted for passing it to The Husband, who somewhat dangerously went for the ‘attack with the carving knife’ option.

Take a look at the picture of the product and of all the packaging used; I thought these days we were supposed to be using less of everything. There was the plastic ‘clamshell’ thing, two card boxes, another piece of card with all the sales blurb on it, a closing wire (that was around the cord of the charger), a tiny paper guarantee, and the two things I was after, the toothbrush and the charger.

Wrap rage is a real thing!

This isn’t the first time I have come across packaging that is almost impossible to open. Ever tried to open a jar lid that just won't budge without a crowbar? A cereal bag that bursts the moment you open it? Child-proof lids that even an adult can’t open? The struggle is real, and even has a name: ‘wrap rage’.

Who are the masters behind these packaging puzzles - certainly they don’t understand the struggles of us average mortals. We have to have the biceps of bodybuilders, dexterous fingers of steel, and the precision of ninjas just to get to our new stuff. If you have disabilities or are an arthritis sufferer, forget doing it yourself.

The pros and cons of clamshell packaging

Clamshell packing is my particular peeve. Once open, the edges are sharp enough to sever an artery, and apparently sorting and recycling is difficult as it is a different type of plastic from everything else.

But clamshell packaging is supposed to benefit both the manufacturer and the consumer. Electronics are among the most common products that come in clamshell packaging, and the reason is…well, clear. Manufacturers want us to be able to see their products, so they display them in clear plastic, and since electronics are the most common items stolen from stores, some retailers will only agree to carry products that are in clamshell packaging.

Thieves are likelier to steal a product that they can easily hide in a pocket, and these packages are usually bigger than the actual product, so are harder to conceal. Sealing methods require the package to be opened (eventually) with a knife or scissors and means a thief can’t easily open the package in-store without it being obvious.

Another benefit to clamshell packaging is that it protects the product from damage – because they are made to mould to the product’s shape, they are less likely to be damaged if dropped or damaged in shipping, and of course, security devices can be added to the inside of the packaging. High-end power tools can afford the more expensive clamshell alternatives due to the higher price point. A transparent, glossy, and rigid outer shell can convey quality to a consumer.

But they are still a nightmare to open, and I found out today that there is a simple solution – using a can opener. Why didn’t I think of that? The hard cutting edge of most manual rotary can openers easily cuts the straight edges of clamshell packaging, and once an edge is opened with the can opener, you can carry on easily with the scissors.

Shrink-wrap round packs of round bottles is another gripe of mine - they work fine until the cashier breaks one open to get to the barcode, and the whole thing collapses while an embarrassing queue forms behind you as you struggle to collect them all up.

You can’t win.

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan