What's with all the packaging????!!!!! (Vent) - Page 2

[Super Pickle]

Thank you for bringing this up!!!!

Overpackaging is so anonying!

I read in a book called "Paper or Plastic?" about this issue that packaging material makes up 1/3 of the solid waste in landfills. And that doesn't even reflect the total impact, since there are "upstream" costs--crude oil to make plastic, trees felled to make paper, etc. Yikes! :

Anyway, I try to buy things in thin bags instead of boxes, and rely on bulk foods.

Great idea about writing the companies and grocery stores. I'd be too chicken to unwrap things at the register, though. :

ETA: I just emailed Amy's Kitchen about their overpackaging. Hope someone's listening!

[chasmyn]

Trader Joe's is very open to customer suggestions. I think it would be a VERY good idea for all of us to write to them about their excessive packaging, because otherwise they really strive to be the best they can for their customers.

Here is a link to contact them:

http://www.traderjoes.com/contact.asp

I love TJs and continue to shop there, and I, too, am mortified at all of the excess packagine. I mean, I understand the need for freshness, but there must be something we can do about that. Excess cellophane on he outside? Can just be done away with. And their produce, you're right, I so wish they would just sell it in bins like everywhere else. Seems like it might save them money, as well, not having to prepackage everything.

[mamaBlue]

I am so glad to read this thread! The excessive TJ's packaging drives me nuts! I have a guess as to why they package the produce the way that they do. I imagine the Trader Joes truck comes to the store with all the fruit already packaged up. That means nobody at the store is physically touching the fruit - employee or customer. Is it possible that they don't have to worry about certain health codes and permits because of this, and thats why they do it? Either way its annoying.