These are sneaky plastic items that are often one time use. When you combine tiny items (smaller than your palm) with non-recyclable plastic - you get impossible immortal waste.
Can you name some of these items? Scroll to see 3 common items.
1. Fruit and Vegetable Stickers
Yes, we're talking about those pesky stickers on fruits and veggies which cannot be recycled or composted in most areas. They serve a purpose of distinguishing between different brands of fruit/veggies with a specific code and brand but is it really necessary? It's not like peanuts or candy in the bulk section have individual markings.. oh what a disaster that would be!
What can we do about it?
First, find out how your specific municipality treats stickers, it might be recyclable or even edible.Secondly, simply leave stickered produce behind and choose the orphans! Ha! Jokes on you - food supplier.Lastly, support innovations like this, a sticker that turns into a fruit wash! Awesome.
2. Bread Tags
These tiny bread bag tags are made of tough plastic material that are not recyclable, so they end up in the landfill. They serve the purpose of keeping the bread fresh and showing the best before date. Again, the question of it being necessary comes to mind. Why can't bread bags simply be closed with a compostable, re-usaable, adhesive? In any case, here's what you can do:
Again, your municipality or community may have a way to collect or recycle these, so look into that first. This may include wheelchair charities or other such such charities that collect bread tags for some purpose.You could create your own collection and save it for craft projects - Pinterest has an endless list of crafts including bread tag monsters.You could reuse them for other bags or life hacks like keeping your flip flops from breaking.
3. Shrink Wrap
Another food packaging culprit is the unnecessary use of shrink wrap commonly seen on pre-cut fruits and veggies. The convenience does not outweigh the fact that this shrink wrap will go straight to landfill and live forever. So, what can we do about it? Simple: don't buy it.
What other food packaging culprits have you come across in your groceries?
