Why Are We Seeing More & More Produce Wrapped in Plastic and Sold on Plastic Trays At Every Grocery Store? These plastics are made to be used only ONCE and then put in the earth Forever!

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If someone asked you to drink engine cleaner or eat bleach wipes you would say no right? Why? Because they are toxic and you are smart. Why are we letting food companies put our produce on plastic or styrofoam trays, wrap it in another layer of cellophane, and sell it to us? (usually at a higher price than loose veggies). Plastic is toxic for us and the environment but we accept this because its convenient. But I thought we were smart…. 95% of plastic cannot be recycled or repurposed. (Yes, even if you put it in the recycle bin). These plastics are found on and in our food, water, soil, air… in the form of microplastics.

Here are more images of common scenes at most grocery stores: individually wrapped cucumbers, corn on styrofoam plates, zucchini, yellow squash, jalapeños, bell peppers, broccoli and poblano peppers on plastic trays and wrapped in cellophane, tomatoes as well as kiwi in hard-shell plastic boxes. It is common to see coconuts, dragon fruit and potatoes individually wrapped as well. Its sad to think that these plastics were manufactured to be used exactly once and then spend FOREVER in our landfills and/or oceans.

What can you do about the overuse of plastics in your produce aisle?

1. Please do not purchase these wastefully-over-wrapped items. If no one buys them, and instead opts for the loose fruit and veggies, the message will be clear.
2. Speak to the produce manager at your grocery store and make them aware that their overuse of plastics negatively affects the environment.
3. Bring your own reusable veggie bags with you to shop. Try this 15 pack of reusable bags for Produce and Bulk items https://amzn.to/3w7D4ba Or if you prefer cotton/canvas handled bags try this 6 pack of fabric bags https://amzn.to/3QlaBWc
4. You can be even more proactive by emailing your grocery store headquarters and letting them know that this is unacceptable.
5. Try growing some of your own produce. (I know this is a stretch for most of us, but it is worth mentioning.) Try this Gardening Seed Starter Kit with 32 packages of Seeds for growing fruits and Vegetables(Non GMO Heirloom) https://amzn.to/3JBBBwV

This article is an update of a previously published article. The update includes many additional photos.