Live with Less Plastic

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A community to discuss living a more plastic-free life in the modern world.

Plastics are ubiquitous, and plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing our modern society.

The goal of the plastic-free movement is to reduce plastic consumption and eventual pollution. Everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics relating to plastic-free living - from advice, to discussions around policy and plastic pollution.

founded 10 months ago

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So Much Produce Comes in Plastic. Is There a Better Way? (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

I don't remember the study, but some of the plastic packaging can help to keep the food fresh for longer, and then minimise the loss of food, which is actually one of the main issues with food distribution, so counterintuitively, using plastic packaging can actually alleviate the environmental impact. Plastic is extremely good at doing its job, it's basically impermeable, inert towards food and can last forever (bad thing though).

Is there an alternative to plastic packaging, probably, but l don't know it if it's economical.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I actually messed up the article link! It should be linking to a New York Times article, which goes over the same (excellent) points you make about plastic packaging being important for lengthening the shelf-life of fresh foods and reducing food waste. The suggestions in the article to combat plastic packaging for food sound great - but as you say, not all of the options are all that economical.

In terms of alternatives - it’s tough. I think things like using more cardboard, or waxed paper, seem feasible. I buy pasta that comes in a plain cardboard box, and I’ve been buying tomatoes and oranges that just come in cardboard boxes as well.

I’d love to see more grocery stores embrace bulk bins for dry goods - I think that could really help the plastic packaging situation, even if we aren’t there yet for fresh foods. Or even a butcher counter - a bit of waxed paper and your own box, and you’re good to go!

What it really comes down to with food waste though, seems to be about access (and price): it’s not fair that people live in food deserts and have to stock up and buy in bulk to access cheaper prices. We need to move to a “buy what you need” model and make that accessible (in every sense of the word) to everyone. It feels like in Europe, you have more people buying every day or every couple of days, whereas in America there is a bigger emphasis on buying for the week or for the next couple of weeks. If we can buy for the next day or next few days instead of for the next week, we’re probably a lot less likely to waste that food.