Dear 5 Gyres Supporters (and hopefully Chicago/Broadway fans),

In today’s fast-moving consumer goods society, transparency is considered an important value to both manufacturers and consumers alike. Companies often seek transparent packaging materials so that consumers can glimpse into what they're buying. And consumers want greater transparency around the goods they purchase: are they sustainably sourced, eco-friendly, fair trade, cruelty-free? And what about the (oftentimes extensive) packaging the goods come in? 

As a consumer, it can be an ongoing challenge to make responsible buying decisions. With greenwashing running rampant, how can you know when (and if) you can trust labels and marketing claims? And what about the hidden impacts you can’t even see? Companies do their best to hide the human health effects, the environmental impact, and the waste created from their packaging – just like Mr. Cellophane from Chicago (🎶look right through me, walk right by me, and never know I’m there).