1992, March 11

U.S. will join rest of world in offering Compact Discs in boxes they will be stored in for use, eliminating wasteful and annoying longbox. RIAA's announcement that member companies have chosen shrink-wrapped jewel box as "voluntary" standard for use by April 1993 was greeted by NARM complaints that selling in smaller package invites thievery and that CD displays will have to be redesigned.

source: Communications Daily, March 11, 1992, Wednesday, Vol. 12, No. 48; Pg. 6

1991, May 20

Compact disc (CD) packaging raised environmental concerns Thurs. at House Transportation Subcommittee hearing. CDs currently are packaged in plastic or cardboard disposable "longboxes," which industry officials agreed must be replaced. Guidelines for new packaging should be announced in June, said Jay Berman, pres. of RIAA. Plan will be voluntary, he said, to avoid antitrust problems. He said continued protection of CD jewel box will be guiding factor in decision, said industry has been looking at jewelbox-sized format in which companies could merely shrink wrap 5"x5-1/2" box. "Jewel box" is hard container currently used to house CD. Biggest drawback: Increased risk of theft with smaller package, he said. Other alternatives include mostly cardboard folding pack called Digi-Pak, and folding cardboard-plastic Eco-Pak. Berman said new packaging will cost industry $2-$3 million to retool and take year to reach consumers.

source: Communications Daily, May 20, 1991, Monday, Vol. 11, No. 97; Pg. 5

1991, March 28

"Disposable CD longbox is dead" and successor will be chosen within 60 days, Recording Industry Assn. of America (RIAA) Pres. Jay Berman said, citing "unanimity" of opinion among Assn.'s member companies. He said "a number of environmentally friendly alternatives are under active consideration." He said manufacturers are "working swiftly and diligently to explore the manufacturing processes involved, the materials to be used and [retail] fixturing issues. All final decisions will be made within the next 60 days and implementation of a new package will begin as soon as possible." Decision obviously could have far-reaching impact not only on software retailers, but also on others who draw significant livelihood from burgeoning CD business, including accessories manufacturers. Action raises questions as to fate of plastic CD "jewelbox" that has become format's keystone.

source: Communications Daily, March 28, 1991, Thursday, Vol. 11, No. 60; Pg. 7

1991, May 28

Days of "longbox" for Compact Disc (CD) packaging are coming to end with blessing of retailers, National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) told recent House hearing. Plastic packaging used to sell CD and protect its "jewelbox" in racks isn't biodegradable, although NARM quoted industry figures claiming longbox has added only fraction of 1% to America's waste stream. "We have chosen to view its elimination as an opportunity in which we can not only do our share, but set an example to other industries," NARM said, reporting group's Jan. decision to endorse smaller, environmentally sound CD packaging. But NARM opposed jewelbox-only solution, saying retailers generally can't display hand-sized package and CDs would be more vulnerable to theft. Jewelbox Advocates & Mfrs. (JAM), whose members make CD jewelboxes, plastic resins, record labels, etc., endorsed tiny packaging alternative, claiming it already was standard in other countries. Enclosed only in plastic wrap, which JAM said is disposable, jewelbox packaging can offer environmentally sound option that's highly acceptable to consumers. Assn. saw merchandising display problem as solvable with financial incentive program to help stores cover costs. It also discounted theft problem, noting size of popular audiocassette is similar yet they're sold in open racks. House Transportation Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Swift (D-Wash.) is considering proposing federal packaging requirements, minimum recycling content standards, labeling rules, unspecified packaging tax. 

source: Communications Daily, May 28, 1991, Tuesday, Vol. 11, No. 102; Pg. 7