Packing Algorithms May Save the Planet

An anonymous reader writes "New Scientist reports on how competitions to devise better packing algorithms could help cut the environmental impact of deliveries and shipping. A new record setter at packing differently-sized discs into the smallest space without overlapping them has potential to be applied to real world 3D problems, researchers claim." Ok the title might be a little ridiculous, but the ridiculous packaging used to ship a few tiny objects by some shippers is pretty shameful.

Comments

ElReg:HP shatters excessive packaging world record

[D4C5CE]

Fortunately, few reach this level of "mastery": http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/18/hp_packaging/

Shipping Pillows

[RManning]

I got married last year and we registered for a lot of stuff from Crate & Barrel. Everything came packed in a ridiculous amount of packaging, but my favorite was the pillows. Each of the four pillows we got came double-wrapped in bubble paper! I guess they weren't broken when we got them, so it must have worked. ;)

Re:post apocolypitca romantica

[Dallas Caley]

Sad or not, i hope it happens fast because as soon as there is enough garbage that i can stand on it, i'm claiming it as my own nation. "I claim this floating island of crap in the name of Garbageland! All hail for i am the king of Garbageland!"

Re:Or course we should pack things tightly...

[larpon]

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