It's A Shitty Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It!

 This past July I wrote a letter of contention to Charmin, AKA: P&G North America, in regards to their use of excess packaging. The following is their response and my most recent rebuke. Please be advised the contents of this article contains coarse language. 

---------------------

July 24, 2009

Hi Judith,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the packaging for the Charmin toilet tissue. Many people that use our products find purchasing items in large quantities or in bulk is more economical for them. However, not everyone has the room or the space to store the large quantities in one area and thus must break up the packages. So that the Charmin toilet paper does not get full of debris or dirt if this is necessary we wrap them twice. 

P&G is committed to ensuring our products, packaging, and operations are safe for consumers and the environment. For products that go out with the trash, our approach is to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, or incinerate waste (with energy recovered) prior to land filling, wherever it's environmentally and economically appropriate. We're continually researching alternatives for more environmentally improved products and packaging. For more information about what P&G is doing to achieve this, please visit http://www.pg.com/sr. 

Thanks again for writing. 
Gary 
Charmin Team

-------------------------

December 15, 2009 

Dear Gary, 

Sorry for the long delay in my response. However, I would like to take this moment to address the following statements in your response to my letter of concern of excess packaging this past July, 2009

I would like to address the following statements in your response to my letter of concern of excess packaging.

Firstly, you state, "Many people that use our products find purchasing items in large quantities or in bulk is more economical for them." For the record, I too purchase in bulk and understand consumer need to conserve money. Hence, the reason why I purchased your product in the first place. May I remind you I purchased over 24 rolls of toilet paper in one package.

Secondly, your letter states, "However, not everyone has the room or the space to store the large quantities in one area and thus must break up the packages. So that the Charmin toilet paper does not get full of debris or dirt if this is necessary we wrap them twice." I find this claim ludicrous and would like to see proof of survey results that conclude and support your outlandish and generalized claim that stored toilet paper gets filled with debris and dirt. As previously mentioned, I too am a consumer of bulk goods and break up large packages and have very limited storage space. Furthermore, I find it insulting that you speak on behalf of your consumer in generalities when quite clearly your consumer is me and as your consumer am opposing your belief.

Thirdly, your statement, "We're continually researching alternatives for more environmentally improved products and packaging." is an obvious crock of what your product cleans up after as the excess use of packaging quite clearly contradicts this claim. If you want to help improve products and packaging, start listening to your consumers - starting with me. As for alternatives, I have one very obvious alternative to environmental preservation: STOP USING EXCESS PACKAGING! 

As for those people you claim are afraid of dust and lint gathering on their toilet paper because they've purchased in bulk and have no clean places to store their wares, maybe those people should stop investing in toilet paper and invest in a squat toilet instead. They'll not only use less water and electricity, which will benefit their conservative pocket books, but they'll be able to save on the cost of toilet paper while preserving the environment as well as they wipe their ***** with their left hands instead.

As ever, it is truly my pleasure to respond.
Sincerely, 
Judith ************
Advocate for an Intelligent Environment