Comments on: Challenges of Recycling Plastic Containers

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:41:58 +0000

While I appreciate the attempts at providing “recyclable” plastic containers for deli items and soups, my biggest concern is the sheer quantity of items that don’t require plastic containers being contained by hard plastic. Everything from lettuces, herbs, and tomatoes, to berries, peaches, peppers and sprouts and garlic and all sorts of other produce items…….all of it is contained in plastic clamshells. And your bulk bins are a joke, with mountains of plastic containers holding bulk items that should be put in to paper bags or cotton sacks. What’s the point of bulk if it results in more wasteful plastic packaging??? What ever happened to the compostable paper or cardboard container? Why can’t people put cherry tomatoes in a paper bag? Why can’t lettuce be put in regular produce bags (that are thankfully put into compostable plastic bags in my wfm in Mill Valley)? I walk in to WFM and I am freaking out on the plastic. Please do something to stop the flow of the biggest waste problem we face. Plastic. Most of this plastic ends up in landfills. That’s the sad truth. And a lot of it ends up in the food chain in the ocean. It’s unconscionable. Stop providing wastefully packaged items and stop putting things in plastic that DO NOT require it. Please.

Whole Foods Market has tremendous influence and impact on the market, and as such, has tremendous power to influence waste patterns.

Thank you.

By: Steve Adler

Steve Adler — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:59:32 +0000

Our local Whole Foods store has one bin for #5 plastic and another bin for other plastic. What happens to the plastic I deposit in the “other plastic” bin? Thank you.

By: lucinda linderman

lucinda linderman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:27:15 +0000

Hi,

I was wondering what you do with the shrink-wrap that comes on pallets to the store. I would also like to know more about what whole foods does with in-store waste that can not be recycled. Do you have a job for a recycler at each store? Do you do anything with sustainable artists? if these questions have been answered you may re-direct me to the link, thank you for your time.

By: Myra

Myra — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:37:12 +0000

What about these big buckets used for kitty litter and other items. Along with plastic margerine containers these items all have a recycle insignia on the container, but are not recycle because there is no market for these items. I think its about time somebody pushes for additional legistlation to either include all those items that are marked appropriately for recycle in a recycle program (and not just specifics) or to push for those items that can not be recycled not to be manufactured.

By: Diane Woodson

Diane Woodson — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:15:58 +0000

Fabian, I appreciate your efforts to reduce the use of harmful plastics. I have found a biodegradable packaging product that I hope to introduce to the Whole Foods Market. I am currently sending samples and information to wholesalers in California and Virginia. I hope these products will become a reliable source for your stores.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:35:57 +0000

@anne As a company, we actively seek ways to lessen our environmental impact and are moving along in several fronts as quickly as possible. We will certainly consider your feedback and appreciate your personal sense of ecological responsibility.

We are lucky in Austin to have organizations such as Ecology Action (http://www.ecology-action.org/index) that accept plastics #1-7 for recycling. As far as I’m aware, other cities have similar programs – both run by non-profits and by the cities themselves. For example, San Francisco is particularly progressive along this front.

By: anne

anne — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:15:48 +0000

before i commit to buying an item packaged in plastic i check to see if it is a #1 or #2. If not, i don’t purchase it. I would like to see Whole Foods take a stand and tell their suppliers they too won’t accept fruits, vegetables or other plastic contained foods in anything but #1 or #2.

In 2007 i emailed driscolls to ask when they would use only 1 and 2 plastics. they emailed back that january 2008 was their date. it wasn’t, i emailed them again, they didn’t respond and i refuse to purchase their packaged foods. if we all took a stand we could force suppliers to change their method of packaging.

By: elizaduckie

elizaduckie — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:12:04 +0000

Sorry I wasn’t clear. Sainsbury’s bins replace carrier bags, we put groceries in them not raw food.

I do recall many years ago in MN Byerley’s Supermarket [not sure of spelling] used to sell a fabulous ‘home cooked’ style apple pie in returnable reusable glass pie dishes. There was some savings on the bill I think, but I can’t remember what.

By: PP

PP — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:33:20 +0000

http://kyspeaks.com/photos/kanna_curry_2.jpg

By: PP

PP — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:23:10 +0000

1) Is there a way you can sterilize reusable containers in the store? Get an instrument to check bacteria levels afterwards 2) Encourage customers to eat their pizza, salad and deli items in the Whole Foods cafe by giving them a ceramic plate to eat off of. Offer platter specials, like get sampling of 5 deli items for $5. Often, people hit the cafe to eat their items, not at home. 3)In India they wrap or serve items on a banana leaf. 4)How about coconut shell containers and bowls?