Comments on: When it comes to packaging, Trader Joe’s can do better.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 19:26:03 +0000

In reply to Janis. I completely agree. We should band together to raise awareness about them. I do talk to the store manager where I shop, but it's sort of out of his hands, as everything comes from a main distributor. Thanks for being so committed to using less plastic. We need more people like you on this planet!!

By: Janis

Janis — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 02:38:51 +0000

This is an old article, so I’m not sure if anyone will see my post or not. That said, I absolutely agree on the packaging of produce! I have only been to Trader Joe’s one time and that was when I went out of town to attend a wedding reception and we had a little time to kill, so we went into a nearby T.J.’s and I fell in love with it (there aren’t any stores even reasonably close to me)! EXCEPT for the produce packaging. I’m committed to reducing/eliminating things like plastic and that awful Styrofoam from my life and I was so disappointed to see all the produce pre-packaged on Styrofoam trays and wrapped in plastic. I’m hoping to find some way to shop at Trader Joe’s occasionally, but I will NOT buy their produce. At least not as long as they sell it pre-packaged (I will always prefer to use my own reusable mesh bags for produce purchases anyway). I even bought one of their wonderful hemp reusable grocery bags while I was there. It just doesn’t make any sense that they are so clueless when it comes to their produce packaging.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 02:08:00 +0000

In reply to lainy o'leary. Thanks. Trader Joe's offers some great bargains, but they're not that responsible when it comes to packaging. I almost never shop there anymore. FYI, I buy milk in glass bottles at my food coop and at Whole Foods here in suburban D.C. You might be able to find a local dairy that delivers milk in glass bottles.

By: lainy o'leary

lainy o'leary — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:13:24 +0000

Today for the first time, I saw that half gallon organic milk at Trader Joe’s is now only available in plastic cartons. NOT cool! I asked the store manager about it and he said that the company that they use now only uses plastic. Prior to this, the milk came in a non-plastic container. Going backward rather than forward. No good explanation. No, I have never posted a comment here before.

By: JoAnn Hines

JoAnn Hines — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:06:57 +0000

Diane:
I agree with the premise that retailers can do a better job eliminating excess packaging. It’s an issue of concern to all of us.
But lets not forget that packaging protects the produce keeping it in the condition that you want to buy it. Stores already throw away 20% of produce that no one will buy.
If you want produce in the stores that looks good enough to eat then packaging does have a role to play. It not only protects the products but it keeps it sanitary and safe for consumption.
Leaving the packaging at the store is not a solution either. The costs of disposal or recycling just get added back to the cost of the product. That’s one thing no one ever considers if products are unsellable someone pays the price which is ultimately the consumer.
It’s an problem the packaging companies are trying to address weighing the safety and security of products against the consumers desire for less packaging.

By: Diane MacEachern

Diane MacEachern — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:52:30 +0000

Thanks for writing, Cheryl. I talk to the manager at my Trader Joe’s every time I shop there. If enough of us do it, they’ll get the message.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:49:45 +0000

http://greenyes.grrn.org/2006/04/msg00054.html I didn't look like my post got there on PLAs. The link above is informative.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:18:31 +0000

Right on Diane. I was just talking about this today. And I was bothered by it. I like Trader Joe’s and its products. But my God. I love artichokes and I saw a package containing 15-20 of them. Cute and tasty ones. I normally won’t buy, but decided that I would keep and reuse the container to pick strawberries/berries/etc. from the garden. But I can’t do this continuously. I am trying to grow my own plants. I said to my husband today. Why is there so much packaging at Trader Joe’s? He was saying perhaps it was the shipping from other countries. I said that even Fred Meyer’s doesn’t package produce in this way. What, is Fred Meyer’s not getting produce that is shipped from around the country and/or other countries. I am so glad to see someone else bothered. And also I might leave it there at the next visit. I have to take it to the local plastic recycling place, wasting gas and time. Plus, I have to store it for months to not make several trips, which would increase my environmental footprint. I am not saying Freddy’s is perfect, but they do unpack, break down or hand out their boxes to the public. I think we all need to work on it. I am for regulation of this. I am willing to work harder, but I think companies should be forced to minimize packaging especially when it can’t be recycled. Part of being green is reducing the amount of packaging/waste your bring home. So you provided food for thought. Now we have to get it through to the company and other companies. As consumers, we have to do it–I think. I don’t think although I wish the government would help. And I am a “liberal.” I loved this article. Made my day. I know I am not alone in annoyance.

By: Mandy

Mandy — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:34:01 +0000

Thanks Diane, I’m glad to see someone else is noticing this. I wrote about the same thing this month:
http://www.pluggedinparents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=423&Itemid=188
While I agree that folks are shopping for a bargain, I don’t think it’s a bargain when I buy two bell peppers that are shrink wrapped, only to find out that they’re moldy/bruised badly on the side I couldn’t see. That’s a waste.

By: Is it Easy Being Green

Is it Easy Being Green — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:18:10 +0000

I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s and shop there weekly. But, I’ve been complaining for years about their packaging and I refuse to buy any of their products that come in excessive packaging. The packaging is my only issue with TJ’s; otherwise it’s a wonderful source for affordable organic and healthy food (and wine!). They use PLA for only a small amount of their packaging and that’s a good move, but less (or recyclable even) packaging would be better. I was excited when they started selling loose apples, so maybe they will continue that trend.