one womans quest to takle over-packaging...join me!

Altarf

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

'fraid it is true, I remember the law coming out, here's the article from the telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2453204/Bent-banana-and-curved-cucumber-rules-dropped-by-EU.html

And you expect the Telegraph not to publish a 'bash the EU' story?

Anyway, have a look at EC Commission Regulation No 2257/94 that is referred to that article, which is for bananas, and tell me where it makes it illegal to sell 'bendy' or 'non-bendy' fruit.

Sarahsaver

A very easy way to cut down on packaging is not to buy ready made, processed food!
Also buy fruit and veg from markets where you can, not supermarkets.

A_fiend_for_life

Here' the key phrases from the article


'free from malformation or abnormal curvature of the fingers,'

Class I

'- slight defects in shape,'

Class II

'- defects of shape,'

Try explaining to farmers that your slightly more bent banana is now class II and you wont get as good a selling price for it.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I must be very, very lucky - not only do we have a Turkish place, we have a Bulgarian, Middle Eastern, Carribbean, tons of African, South Asian, a Chinese Supermarket and now a Sri Lankan shop is opening up just down the road from me. Yay! And those tubs of Thai Curry Paste are just soooooo nice - at one heaped teaspoon to half a tin of coconut milk, they last for forever!

Altarf

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

Try explaining to farmers that your slightly more bent banana is now class II and you wont get as good a selling price for it.

Try explaining to your supermarket buyer that the bananas bought sight unseen from the other side of the world which they have paid top price have to be sold at a loss because they are substandard. Ah well, never mind, they just won't take a risk with bananas from small suppliers, but just buy from large growers who will develop their own classifications to guarantee quality.

Classifications help both sellers and buyers know exactly what they are talking about with no misunderstanding.

tryingtoruletheworld

What a great post! :T

I have been trying to cut down as mush as possible on packaging lately, and it seems to sneak in everywhere! I always buy fruit and veg loose, and always put it straight in the trolly or use the paper bags for mushrooms. Although I have decided lately that it is much easier to go to the fruit and veg shop down the road every other day, mush fresher and no packaging at all! Plastic punnets and pre-washed salads in bags are the things that most annoy me.:eek:

Also, everything seems to be a tetra packs these days, how do you go abut recycling these? I have tried to stop buying anything ready made, and it all seems to be a lot healthier too. I just don't understand the obsession with plastic! What is wrong with bread in paper bags, and fresh cakes in boxes?:think:

A_fiend_for_life

Altarf wrote: »

Classifications help both sellers and buyers know exactly what they are talking about with no misunderstanding.

Indeed!

I take your point about the press article, there is a gap between illegal and down classifying, but at the same time many suppliers got their crop classified downwards. Which means a lower price because of shape. Anyways.

A_fiend_for_life

I've reduced a bit on packaging but meat is the awkward one there's no avoiding it.

What was the old way of packaging meat?

Have folk noticed that loose stuff used to be cheaper but now its more expensive on some things? Noticed this with carrots in tesco the other week.

A_fiend_for_life

tryingtoruletheworld wrote: »

What a great post! :T

I have been trying to cut down as mush as possible on packaging lately, and it seems to sneak in everywhere! I always buy fruit and veg loose, and always put it straight in the trolly or use the paper bags for mushrooms. Although I have decided lately that it is much easier to go to the fruit and veg shop down the road every other day, mush fresher and no packaging at all! Plastic punnets and pre-washed salads in bags are the things that most annoy me.:eek:

Also, everything seems to be a tetra packs these days, how do you go abut recycling these? I have tried to stop buying anything ready made, and it all seems to be a lot healthier too. I just don't understand the obsession with plastic! What is wrong with bread in paper bags, and fresh cakes in boxes?:think:

I quite agree with paper for bread Mothers Pride white bread is the only one I think I've seen it for. Do Warburtons package one in paper too?? Can't remember. I make my own now and again but it uses a lot of energy - good in winter mind just shut the kitchen door and keep warm in one room with some music on.

I was wondering why tins can't be reused treacle and syrup used to come in reasealable tins they probably still do. I don't see why they cant be used for tinned stuff they could then be reused. I remember the seal was pretty good too so no problems there. Imagine the energy it would save.:j

Also supermarkets don't keep things in storage so much these days so they probably don't need to keep quite so long. Are folk buying much tinned stuff?

I saw a tip some where on saving the wrappers for oranges and lemons, snip the metals bits off and use a bunch of them for scourers.

Altarf

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

I take your point about the press article, there is a gap between illegal and down classifying, but at the same time many suppliers got their crop classified downwards. Which means a lower price because of shape. Anyways.

I doubt if many consumers would ever notice from the label or sign whether they are buying class 1 or class 2, but what they are prepared to pay a premium for is 'nice' looking fruit and veg, hence the higher prices to the suppliers that can produce 'nice' looking goods. As for the bendiness, would many consumers pick this cucumber over a straight one? Obviously it won't taste any different, but I bet it would be the last one on the shelf.

I think that an unintended side effect if they do change the regulations to abolish the classifications will be a significant increase in food waste, as people pick over loose fruit and veg in the supermarket to choose the better looking items, and so will leave the class 2 items that would under the current system have been sold for catering or food processing.