To think most plastic food packing is impossible to open now

paddleboardingmum · 2026-05-06T15:25:45+00:00

Those corners that you pull which don't open, and then even if I use scissors I just get lots of stringy bits of plastic on packs of fruit etc. Why and when did this happen I wonder.

Original poster

paddleboardingmum · 07/05/2026 13:10

When you pull open the top of a ‘resealable’ packet of rice or lentils really carefully but it still splits to halfway down and you have to put it in a freezer bag to avoid losing half of it. And the sticky tab is covered in rice or lentils so it doesn’t stick anyway.

So true those stickers never work. And that type of packaging always splits for me too.

OP posts:

squashyhat · 07/05/2026 08:50

rockstarshoes · 06/05/2026 22:16

I just wonder how people with arthritis or something cope! It’s ridiculous!

We use all manner of gadgets to help. Scissors, bottle openers, jar openers, knives that were never meant for the purpose. DH sometimes exists solely in the kitchen to help me break into stuff or do it himself.

Or teeth as a last resort

Throwmoneyatit · 07/05/2026 08:44

Why do they put scissors in packaging that you need scissors to get into them?!

Fully agree with cooked meat packers. I have to use my scissors (if they've broken free from their ties) to cut into the lid and put it in a food bag which is more plastic.

Coleslaw/potato salad/dips... where has the lid gone?

Washing pod boxes are another struggle.

And putting the lid back on a drink eg Coke and it takes a good 3 times to navigate successfully with those new attachers...

likelysuspect · 07/05/2026 08:43

Gardenquestion22 · 07/05/2026 08:38

Keep the dispenser from the previous one.

Show quote history

That doesnt help if you cant get the soap out of the new one because it doesnt pop up when you twist it

ExquisiteSocialSkills · 07/05/2026 08:42

When you pull open the top of a ‘resealable’ packet of rice or lentils really carefully but it still splits to halfway down and you have to put it in a freezer bag to avoid losing half of it. And the sticky tab is covered in rice or lentils so it doesn’t stick anyway.

Gardenquestion22 · 07/05/2026 08:38

CanIbeRio · 06/05/2026 22:52

And don't get me started on soap dispensers that don't pop up when you twist them rendering them useless!!

Keep the dispenser from the previous one.

Buscobel · 07/05/2026 08:38

There are gadgets to help with opening tops of things that work well. Put the thin plastic, that you used to be able to open quite easily is now different and requires a pair of scissors or a knife.

OvernightBloats · 07/05/2026 08:31

Bought a Maybelline eyeliner pencil the other day - took me about 5 minutes to get the plastic packaging off. Really frustrating.

This is where Amazon are really good. It's their policy to make their parcels as easy to open as possible. Wish other companies were the same!

Wynter25 · 07/05/2026 08:31

I agree, it has got worse. Always have to use a knife

Wynter25 · 07/05/2026 08:31

ChocHotolate · 07/05/2026 08:16

Button batteries - absolutely fucking impossible even with sharp scissors. In understand they need to be childproof but it tts totally ridiculous

Refuse to have those in my house!

Wipeywipey · 07/05/2026 08:22

Agree. Keep cutting my fingers trying to open plastic tubs of soup. Adding insult to injury (or injury to injury) that it is also giving us forever chemicals for the privilage of having to buy them.

ChocHotolate · 07/05/2026 08:16

Button batteries - absolutely fucking impossible even with sharp scissors. In understand they need to be childproof but it tts totally ridiculous

likelysuspect · 07/05/2026 07:53

My favourite are shampoos or bathroom items when its a new one, you put it in the bathroom and get in the shower, you're already wet, you flip the top open to squeeze out the soap/shampoo whatever, to find that there is a protective film under the flip top. So with wet hands you now have to get the top off which wont come off, find somewhere to put the flip top (by the way, no glasses on by now so cant see a thing) then try to peel off a tiny bit of foil top or plastic film which wont come off because you cant get a grip on it

Love that first thing in the morning.

CanIbeRio · 06/05/2026 22:52

And don't get me started on soap dispensers that don't pop up when you twist them rendering them useless!!

CanIbeRio · 06/05/2026 22:51

Obvs not plastic but I think i can rant on this thread.....my bugbear is foil boxes - the rip tab always breaks in about 3 places - it never tears off in one piece. Drives me insane!!!

Bertiebiscuit · 06/05/2026 22:47

Fishingboatbobbingnight · 06/05/2026 22:20

I just feel bad for anyone who has arthritis in their hands.. I’m 62 and have very very mild symptoms but can’t open a bottle of tonic (luckily the gin is easy 😂)

I have "packaging rage" at least once a day, milk carton tops that don't work, ring pulls that break, plastic film that goes into strips when i try to pull it off....... And on and on, every damned day, the swearing is off the chart.

likelysuspect · 06/05/2026 22:36

BogRollBOGOF · 06/05/2026 22:20

Add to that the "reduced packaging" that causes food wastage by no longer protecting the food after opening. I'm looking at you cheese, ham and now coleslaw since the lids were removed and just left with film.

I could stick them into food bags, but that's more plastic waste than was saved 🤦‍♀️

I have to put all this stuff in plastic pots and then I forget when Ive opened it as the packaging is gone.

Original poster

paddleboardingmum · 06/05/2026 22:22

That's so true @BogRollBOGOF it's food waste or cling film. It must be a problem for people with arthritis yes.

OP posts:

BogRollBOGOF · 06/05/2026 22:20

Add to that the "reduced packaging" that causes food wastage by no longer protecting the food after opening. I'm looking at you cheese, ham and now coleslaw since the lids were removed and just left with film.

I could stick them into food bags, but that's more plastic waste than was saved 🤦‍♀️

Fishingboatbobbingnight · 06/05/2026 22:20

I just feel bad for anyone who has arthritis in their hands.. I’m 62 and have very very mild symptoms but can’t open a bottle of tonic (luckily the gin is easy 😂)

rockstarshoes · 06/05/2026 22:16

I just wonder how people with arthritis or something cope! It’s ridiculous!

Original poster

paddleboardingmum · 06/05/2026 22:14

It seems like the packaging has got worse though- maybe it's thinner or cheaper or something? but the pull corners don't work for me any more.

OP posts:

Upwiththisiwillnotput · 06/05/2026 21:01

They LIE ALL THE TIME.i am dreading getting older and losing fine motor skills to deal with this shit.

Buscobel · 06/05/2026 20:59

I agree. I was just thinking today, as I was trying to decant apples into the fruit bowl, what would happen if you took a bag of apples on a picnic and you just couldn’t get into them. It’s the same with biscuits and all sorts of other stuff. There must be a reason that manufacturers do this, but it’s so annoying.

Cocktailglass · 06/05/2026 20:37

Lol yes, the pull open tab...which corner, end up ripping the whole top off then wrapping in cling film, which defeats the whole object of easy peel and restick.