What Do You Think of the Plastic Produce Packaging at Trader Joe’s Nowadays?

Hey everyone... right now, the Plastic Pollution Coalition has a petition going to ask Trader Joe's to reduce produce packaging.  This is a good start.  Let's all sign it and forward it.  We need to do more... but let's see how this goes first.  http://www.causes.com/actions/1737276-demand-that-trader-joes-end-the-use-of-excessive-plastic-packaging

Beth,

We should tackle Fresh & Easy too.  I stopped shopping there because they sell live turtles to customers in China and they refuse to stop this practice.  Maybe they will stop wrapping everything in plastic if we add them to the action.  I will send you some video and photos of how much plastic they use in the produce section.  They are worse than Trader Joe's

1&2) I shop at Trader Joe's in Winston-Salem, NC. Our TJ's opened a month ago and we were all pretty thrilled. Then my family read Garbology, watched Bag It, and started learning about the health and environmental dimensions of food packaging. Now we're afraid we'll have to swear off our favorite new finds.

3) TJ's produce packaging is surely worse than any of my other local options (Whole Foods, Fresh Market, farmer's markets, and the big-box stores). Plus, TJ's doesn't offer any bulk bins, so those products that I'd normally scoop into glass or paper are ultra-plasticized.

4) Our TJ's doesn't wrap bananas and offers some loose apples, limes, avocados and greens/herbs alongside packaged counterparts, but 5) I just don't think there's a reason to bag up hard produce like apples, and the addition of bulk bins would enable me to buy TJ favorites like nuts and dried fruit (which TJ's does better than any other market I've seen, because they have no-sugar, no-sulfate options for almost everything) without generating or buying into pounds of plastic waste.

6) If we started a campaign, I'd sign and forward a petition, speak to a manager, write a letter, and/or take packaging pics.

I'm shocked! Why does it get to this extent? I live in Australia and am getting annoyed at the ever increasing amount of produce that is beginning to be sold packaged. But I have yet to see such an extent as your photos display. While I do not buy fruit n veg in big name supermarkets which cart most of their stuff around the continent even they provide mixed lettuce, loose baby spinach etc that you can collect what you need yourself from big tubs alongside their bags of it. If not loose, I can still get my potatoes in paper bags stitched closed with cotton string. It's nice to walk in a shop and SEE fruit and vegetables rather than plastic. Even better if they have misting sprays overhead to help maintain freshness that add an extra appeal to customers in hot summers.

I suppose the biggest offenders I see are herbs, mushrooms (while most are available loose as well as packed the more unusual are not eg oyster mushrooms which bruise easy) and cherry tomatoes, oh and that cucumber everyone knows about. Only one place I found so far selling cherry tomatoes loose by the kilo in season (I now grow my own, they are easy and grow year round here). Also garlic. I carry concern about garlic. We can grow garlic so well here but most do not (which makes it very expensive when you do find it locally grown) simply because it is cheaply and easily obtained from overseas, plastic net wrapped (eg. China, same as yours) or plastic wrapped in a big pack to be sold loose. No garlic needs to plastic wrapped just like potatoes and squash etc.

While nothing needs to be in plastic it is strange that most shops even here will define the organic produce by wrapping it in plastic and price labeling it. Mainly in big stores though as many more conscious small stores here will offer loose at an "organic zone" within store or at least in paper bags.

Broccoli? Really? Aren't people going to wash their produce anyway? I've luckily not seen that wrapped yet.

I hope people will encourage your store to make changes, they are big stores with a big impact. Start with popular long lasting produce like potatoes. That on its own will be amazing progress and they are not an issue of freshness like other things such as lettuce.

I will keep bringing things to attention in my stores. It makes a difference.

I just want to add that as I've recently started shopping at Walmart (albeit reluctantly), they have less plastic wrapped produce.  Not a lot less, Walmart's pretty awful about this, but they do have less.

1) Yes

2)Tempe, Arizona

3) For many fruits and vegetables, yes.  They have far more glass bottled sauces, jams, etc, but for vegetables they are filled with plastic

4 & 5) Yes - individual fruits, such as apples, pears, avacados, peaches, and individual vegetables like potatoes, onions, and bell peppers.  While I can see the utility of plastic wrapping things like spinach (especially considering TJ's doesn't sell by weight), I see no reason to shrink wrap individual heads of brocolli, cucumbers or pairs of squash.

6) If we started a campaign, what which of the following things would you be willing to do?

Collect product packaging and Take pictures of packaging at Trader Joe's and email it (I am still holding out from joining Facebook.)

Hey Beth, I am a designer student in San Francisco State University, and I am currently working on the Trader Joe's plastic packaging for one of my classes. A part of my project is to research the problem and to create an alternative solution. If it works out, I'll try to work with Trader Joe's to substitute the current harmful practices. Here is my project's blog: http://juliagrosman.blogspot.com

stay tuned :)

Hey Beth, I sent a message to TJ's telling them I'd like to be able to take home less plastic from their stores and asked them to contact you.

Here are my answers to your questions:

1) Do you shop at Trader Joe’s? 2) If so, where? What area of the country? Please be as specific as you feel comfortable being.

Yes, in Concord, CA.

3) Do you think Trader Joe’s produce packaging is actually worse than other stores in your area? Why or why not?

Not sure in general, but in produce, definitely yes.  More plastic packaging of produce than either Safeway or my local produce market.

4) Does your Trader Joe’s offer any produce that is not wrapped in plastic? If so, what kinds of things?

The items you showed above are all I can think of.

5) What items are the worst offenders? What items would you love to see sold unpackaged?

Produce is the only thing I'd like to see unpackaged.  For other things, I'd like to see genuinely recyclable, reusable or biodegradable packaging.  I know it'll take some serious research to offer TJ's some practical alternatives there.

6) If we started a campaign, what which of the following things would you be willing to do?

Any of the things you listed.  I'd also be willing to do research into what alternative packaging might be practical for TJ's, although I might need some guidance from you on where and how to do that research.

TJ's used to be my favorite place to shop, since I could buy organic produce at lower prices than anywhere else around me. After reading the book and blog however, my eyes are opened in a whole new way and I am re-evaluating my plastic-steeped life (which I used to think was really green!). So I am looking to alternatives to TJ's. My issue is that my family is also on a budget and organic is a huge priority to me. Our farmers markets don't have many organic farmers (only one at the market I go to, and she doesn't come on the day I go!) and the other local stores have organic produce priced much higher. :-( How do I make a plastic free/organic life more budget friendly??? Also, as wonderful as it is that TJ's has some produce out of the wrappers, those items are often very over-priced (more than $1 per apple vs $5 for a whole bag!) and often are not the organic items anyways.

Also, in response to "me" regarding GMOs: there is a huge difference between GMOs and cross-breeding two plants as, among other sketchy things, GMOs will put animal DNA into our plant foods. Additionally there has been animal testing that shows some of those pesticides now engrained in the plants' DNA can harm the animal that eats it, causing digestive and other health problems. No thanks. I'll take bugs on my plants any day, even if the leaves are full of holes.

1) Do you shop at Trader Joe’s?YES 2) If so, where? Milwaukee, WI 3) Do you think Trader Joe’s produce packaging is actually worse than other stores in your area? Sometimes, depends on the product and the store I'm comparing to. My local co-op has many more organic options plastic-free but the big-name store doesn't. For conventional produce all other stores have less packaging. 4) Does your Trader Joe’s offer any produce that is not wrapped in plastic? Yes, apples, bananas, avocados, peppers, grapefruit, pears.  5) What items are the worst offenders? everything.. What items would you love to see sold unpackaged? broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, beans and peas and have the prices on-par with the packaged items!! 6) If we started a campaign, what which of the following things would you be willing to do?

Sign a petition YESWrite a letterYESSpeak to a store managerYESForward the petition to all of your contacts via email or social mediaYESContact organizations that might be interested in helping spread the wordYESCollect produce packaging from Trader Joe’s (assuming this is stuff you would have bought anyway) to be used for an actionYES

While I applaud your concern with reducing plastic use, your statement on GMOs is ignorant. A lot of GMO produce is developed precisely in order to reduce the use of chemicals. Some traits are selected in order to make plants more resilient in poorer soil - thus reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Other traits make the plants more resistant to pests - thus reducing the need for spraying with insect repellents, fungicides and the like.

If you are concerned about chemical use in our food supply (as you should be) then you should be supporting GMO - which is really no different than selecting and cross breeding plants for desirable traits.

It would be good for TJ's to see how much business they are losing, because of this one issue. I went from shopping mostly at TJ's to only buying the foods they offer that are not packaged. I only shop organic so it has become really limited. My local does sell a few unpackaged organic items. On the other hand they have plenty of regular produce that is unpackaged. I guess they don't trust their customers. This week I went to get grape juice and yes that too is now in plastic, another lost customer!

less plastic packaging! Particularly produce.

Yes, I would like MUCH less prepacking of fresh produce.

Yes yes and yes, but they probably pre-package at their distribution point to save $$$ in the retail locations. Don't like prepack veggies though so don't buy them.

I would love to see this happen.

1) No

I don't shop at Trader Joe's, mainly because I feel that they market to people who think of themselves as environmentalists, while having products that are anything but environmentally friendly. I would love Trader Joe's to practice what it seems to want to preach, and be able to shop there, so for this I'd be willing to stop in to my local store. 

2) Stockton, CA is my nearest store

3) Yes. Safeway and Raley's both have more produce with less packaging. Safeway and Raleys also sell their own bread at least in paper bags, so there's at least one option without plastic. TJ's has all their bread in plastic. And the TJ salads are just ridiculous.

4) A few items, I'd have to visit again and take notes to be sure. I also suspect that the unpackaged items are more expensive, rather like at Safeway where an unpackaged potato is 0.99/lb and a ten pound bag of potatoes is five dollars.

5) I wanted to buy leeks and cucumbers and they were both shrink wrapped. I believe I also saw shrink wrapped bananas (and nature packages them so well, too!). Generally, the veggies were worse off than the fruits, again, I'd have to return and take notes.

6) Sign a petition, forward a petition, take pictures, write letters

I don't want to burden you with work but I would absolutely love to see such a campaign take off because Trader Joe's is one of the few grocery options we have around UCLA besides Ralphs. It's a stepping stone for many I know between stores like Ralphs and the real healthy and sustainable venues like farmers markets. I'm going to bring this up at my Sustainability Club meeting tonight and am hoping to hear a lot of support!

1) Do you shop at Trader Joe’s?

Yes, usually for convenience foods like crackers and tater tots. They're often more affordable than other stores (especially their produce) and they're always so friendly. I've also dumpster dived at TJoe's

2) If so, where? What area of the country? Please be as specific as you feel comfortable being.

I shop at the one in Westwood near UCLA and also near my apartment near Olympic.

3) Do you think Trader Joe’s produce packaging is actually worse than other stores in your area? Why or why not?

It definitely can be. I've seen more loose produce at other stores and I've only seem vacuum-sealed cucumbers at Trader Joe's, not even Ralphs! Sometimes they get away with it because their packaging looks so nice but I also see a LOT of things wrapped in a tray and then also wrapped in plastic.

4) Does your Trader Joe’s offer any produce that is not wrapped in plastic? If so, what kinds of things?

Bell peppers, brussel sprouts, onions, lemons

5) What items are the worst offenders? What items would you love to see sold unpackaged?

Cucumbers, some bell peppers (where they have the peppers on a tray with a napkin then wrapped in platic), general greens (I can't get any salad greens not packaged), cilantro, beans, sprouts, the list goes on

6) If we started a campaign, what which of the following things would you be willing to do?

ALL of them! Especially with a group of impassioned students behind me who make up a lot of their business!

yes! way too much packaging when these items can easily be sold package free!

Absolutely, it is a huge problem and is why I typically do not buy my produce from TJs.  With that said, mine sells organic milk packaged in a 100% paper carton--no TetraPak bullshit.with the plastic screwcap.  

My guilty TJ purchases (re: plastic wrapping): cheese, yogurt, maple mini-wheat cereal.

Happy TJ purchases (paper wrapping): milk, cous-cous.

I am very glad this was brought up because every time I walk in Trader Joes I am always sad to see everything wrapped in plastic.  Its nice to hear other people feel this way as well.  My boyfriend has the theory that it may be to reduce theft but I have no idea if he really believe that or if he was just trying to justify or if it is even true for that matter.  (1) I shop occassionally at Trader Joes (mainly for junk food and such similar to Jennifer) but I would shop there more if there wasn't so much plastic packaging involved.  Especially because they have some great prices on things which would be a help to my wallet. (2) Massachusetts (3)  Yes I think its much worse because there are only a few items not in some sort of plastic bag (4) There are a few...apples, bananas, grapefruits, clementines (4)  I can't think of one specific item that is the worse.  I would essentially just like to have more options of packaging free things (5) I would be willing to help out in any way necessary

Haha that is hilarious.  I've always thought it's pretty rediculous how much stuff is packaged in plastic.  Have you ever seen those packages of Candy that have like each individual life saver packaged in its own peice of plastic.  Its rediculous and frankly its wierd and im ashamed and surprized if the consumer market has actually driven these trends.  _  Zack Terry

yes! i never buy their produce. it's imported mainly too. and it's not just the plastic itself that's bad--since stuff is packaged together, if one of, say, three avocados goes bad, they throw them all away! that's part of the reason why their dumpsters are so plentiful.

It wasn't too long ago I could buy juice in glass bottles there. Now it seems to be all plastic containers.

you so totally bet i would! all that plastic packaging (ESPECIALLY for the produce) was just too much - we quit shopping there over 12 months ago. organic veggies (ANY veggies) in plastic is so wrong!

That's funny you posted this today because I was just talking to my dad today and he was talking about Trader Joe's and I told him I don't shop there because they overpackage.

Most of their stuff seems to be imported from S. America, Europe and Asia...their carbon footprint can't be small. Sure, I'd be up for reducing their packaging.

Trader joes has a funny distribution system of their own, which i'm not certain but i think it reduces overall carbon footprint. but it might be something worth pursuing anyways, to make them re-think how to do both less plastic and less carbon.

This is crazy! VT doesn't have any Trader Joes, but the stores we do have (Hannaford, Price Chopper, Shaws) all use way, WAY less packaging...usually the plastic wraps are used for only organic produce and bags of potatoes/apples, etc. This is an absurd waste of plastic, so yes; I'd totally be down for telling Trader Joe's to cut the plastic habit. :)

Every company same.!!. now the packs are bigger than the bikkies .. Companies wld get it!

Yes, I hate Tj's. I thought I was the only one. Everyone else seems to worship at the altar of TJ's. :-\

Yes, yes, yes!

That's why I don't shop there...so much packaging!

Yes! And it drives me crazy! I was so happy when they started offering apples, pears, and a few other products without the plastic clam shell. I wish they would continue that trend with all of their produce!

I have been saying this for years! Which is why I don't buy their produce! Only buy their organic noodles becaues its the best price around me.

I have been a loyal TJ's cutomer for about 20 years and have recently realized how much unnecessary packaging there is. This is perfect timing because as much as I love TJ's I have limited my shopping there in my quest for plastic free.

Beth - can't answer the questions as I only went to TJ's about 4 years ago and was so gobsmacked that everything was packaged, so I never went back again. As a matter of fact I find Whole Foods almost as bad - sure they have loose veg, fruit and bulk items, but one cannot buy one piece of cheese, not wrapped in plastic.

Shared the link, and absolutely TJ's is over packaged - I have never shopped there because of this fact - even before I was converted PS that comedian was really funny and spot on.

Go for it!!

Yes, I think it is over packaged. Count me in. I was talking to my local TJ about why my favorite bread there has to come in plastic if it is, indeed, made fresh each day. TJs can and should try harder.

If you have time, could you guys please take a minute to read the post and answer the questions? Trying to see how much people are willing to do and which items are the worst offenders. Thanks!

It's annoying. My local grocery store does a much better job then Trader Joes

Yes, which is why I don't shop there!