Today I was shopping in a well known supermarket when I spotted these Bio cucumbers. More and more supermarkets are dressing their fresh produce in plastic, and it makes me mad.
Producers argue that wrapping cucumbers reduces food waste. And food waste also has a significant environmental footprint because of the water, land, energy and transport involved in producing food that is never eaten.
But what about the plastic?
Surely just because plastic packaging reduces food waste doesn’t automatically mean it’s the most environmentally responsible solution when most supermarket cucumber wrapping is made from thin plastic film, often polyethylene or polypropylene.
- It is usually difficult to recycle through ordinary household recycling schemes.
- If it escapes into the environment, it can persist for decades or longer.
- It can break down into microplastics, which contaminate soil and water.
Sometimes we solve one environmental problem by creating another!
Personally, I think that wasted cucumbers have far less of an impact on the environment than the plastic packaging. And if they are still wasted, then you have rotting cucumbers and the plastic. This doesn’t make sense.
I’d love to hear what you think. Do you believe the environmental benefits of keeping cucumbers fresh outweigh the cost of the plastic packaging?
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A local producer of mini cucumbers now uses a cardboard bottom (packs of 5) with a biodegradable wrap. I am with you on the ridiculousness of it. Green onions in a plastic bag. Really? Or peppers. So annoying. I am with you.
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So that’s two pieces of packaging for 5 mini cucumbers.. Incredible.
Today I even saw broccoli squished into cplastic film. Bernie, the powers that be are always banging on about the environment but there doesn’t appear to be any laws in place to deter the over use of packaging
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But it used to be black foam and non bio so I feel like it is a plus. Also grown by greenhouse locally so feel it is worth it
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