excessive packaging

I remember when CDs first came out in the mid 80's and they were in these looong boxes (at least twice the length of the CD case w/in the box) with lots of artwork and the songs printed on the back, etc. I think the original purpose was to prevent shoplifting by making them an awkward size. At some point technology advanced to the point that little sensors could be put on the cases and at some point it was decided that these boxes were an uncecessary use of material and eventually CDs began to be sold in just their plastic cases. I wish the environmental angle had more to do with it than the shoplifting angle but I doubt it.
In any event as the 80's became the 90's became the 00's there has been an effort to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging used for packaging products.
There is one glaring exception that I would like to share with you that I would not have know about except for the fact that i recently had several gifts sent to me.
I had packages sent from Crate and Barrel and MAcy's and they BOTH used WAAAY too much packing materials in the boxes. They would use a HUGE box filled with peanuts to send a tiny little box (which inside that little box had additional packing materials to keep the items safe).
It just seems like such a waste. I have thrown away bags and bags of peanuts. I feel bad about taking up space in a landfill with this stuff... I have no idea what the recycling people must think when for the last 2 recycling days we have had tons and tons of cardboard out to be picked up.
I just wish these stores would be a little more thoughtful about the environment. Of course if they ever changed how they shipped stuff i bet people's things will start breaking.... is there no middle ground here?