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Customer gets laughs with image of unexpected Wayfair packaging for everyday household item: 'Whew! They arrived without breaking!'

A shopper who ordered a pair of oven mitts from Wayfair received their kitchen accessories in packaging that could have housed a small appliance.

A shopper who ordered a pair of oven mitts from Wayfair received their kitchen accessories in packaging that could have housed a small appliance.

Photo Credit: iStock

Reddit users are poking fun at a Wayfair delivery that epitomizes wasteful packaging. The photo, shared with r/EgregiousPackaging, shows two cotton oven mitts swimming in a massive cardboard box stuffed with plastic bubble wrap.

What happened?

A shopper who ordered a pair of oven mitts from Wayfair received their kitchen accessories in packaging that could have housed a small appliance.

A shopper who ordered a pair of oven mitts from Wayfair received their kitchen accessories in packaging that could have housed a small appliance.
Photo Credit: Reddit

"Whew! They arrived without breaking!" one commenter quipped about the decidedly unbreakable cotton items.

Why is this packaging waste concerning?

Oversized boxes filled with plastic waste put unnecessary strain on our planet.

Companies that use excessive materials to ship small items boost carbon pollution through increased transportation needs and material production. The plastic bubble wrap will likely end up in landfills, where it may take centuries to break down.

Big boxes also mean delivery trucks carry fewer packages per trip, leading to more vehicles on roads.

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Is Wayfair doing anything about this?

Wayfair has stated a commitment to sustainable practices, including a goal to achieve net-zero operations by 2030. The company claims to optimize packaging when possible and says it's exploring ways to reduce waste.

However, this example suggests room for improvement in its day-to-day shipping practices. The incident might represent an isolated case of poor packing decisions rather than company-wide policy.

What's being done about packaging waste more broadly?

Companies such as Amazon and Target have introduced packaging-free pickup options at their lockers or stores. Some brands ship items in recyclable packaging made from mushrooms or cornstarch instead of plastic bubble wrap. Smart shipping software helps delivery routes become more efficient, cutting down on transportation pollution.

When you think about a product's packaging, which of these factors is more important to you?

The way it looks 😍

The information it provides 🧐

The waste it produces 🗑️

I don't think about packaging at all 🤷

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Shoppers can help by choosing in-store pickup when available, bundling multiple items into single orders, and selecting plastic-free shipping options. Consider leaving feedback when you receive oversized packages — many companies have sustainability teams that track customer comments.

You can also give bubble wrap a second life by offering it through local buy-nothing groups or saving it for your next move instead of throwing it away.

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