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4 Ways To Get Rid Of Your Plastic Problem

A typical day may inevitably end up at the grocery store to pick up last-minute items. Browsing the options are vast and when comparison shopping the plastic problem isn’t top of mind! Most people will look at the price or condition of the product.

For Instance, If you have two heads of lettuce which look-alike sitting next to one another. One wrapped in foil the other lettuce wrapped with a rubber band. Would you think twice and pick up the right one? Some would just look at the Lettuce and decide which one looks most delicious and wouldn’t notice its packaging.

I maneuver through the aisles of the grocery store on autopilot while searching for ingredients. However, I’m usually distracted by thoughts of what needs to be done before dinner and work-related annoyances! Chances are if you’re like I was then you might not even think twice either!

So the big question is how do we keep the plastic problem in our thoughts? How can I remember to stop and analyze what to do at the right moment?  What will it take to reach for the product with the least packaging? If we question ourselves once a day then we can make an impact! If just 100 people said no when asked if they’d like a plastic bag the world would be better off!

How to avoid a plastic problem

There are ways that we can pressure our local supermarket to provide biodegradable bags in the produce section. Talk to the Store Manager, drop a note in their comment box. If they don’t have one write them a short letter and mail it. Social media is a hot spot for retailers and they’re super sensitive about reviews. Create a google review and ask them why they don’t supply biodegradable bags.

Another way to avoid unnecessary plastic is to avoid picking up the over-packaged produce. Let it rot at the store and eventually, the Manager will realize what’s going on! They’ll either notify the grower or just stop bringing the product in altogether. Retailers are watching our trends, and analyzing our every move. They’re always looking to make money on trends in order to capitalize on our basic desires. They make it their business to know what the customer cares about.

Use your own bags

Even though we’re busy and the last thing we think about is reusable bags. As a conscious shopper, we’ve got to remember them on the way out the door. I found 100% Biodegradable Produce Bags which are nylon, bleach, pesticide, and polyester free. and contain no chemical dyes. Above all, they won’t last 400 years!! Throw a dozen apples, oranges, potatoes in or whatever your heart desires. When large chain supermarkets are not changing their ways we have to take it upon ourselves to start the change. However, we must let the Store know about the inconvenience or else action won’t happen and the Manager won’t think it’s a problem. Squeaky wheels get the grease!

Write a Letter to your MLA

These folks have their seats because of you. Let them hear consumer complaints, they work for us and we are their clients. Pass on consumer sentiment to their office using the link above copy and paste this template into an email and hit send.

Dear  (First name) (Last name)

As a proud B.C. resident and your constituent, one of the biggest concerns is the excessive use of non-biodegradable plastic in local grocery stores.  Controlling how plastic is disposed of is a problem and the government has taken strides to remedy trash through an extensive recycling program. However, the global issue of plastics has increasingly become an extreme environmental issue and the government has the responsibility to take people’s efforts to the next level. Sorting plastics does not reduce the amount of plastic that is used unnecessarily on a daily basis. If there is one thing the governments can do to make a change it’s by banning single-use plastic in grocery stores. Over packaging and single-use plastics can be found in the following:

  1. Roles of Plastic bags in the produce section
  2. Cashier Plastic bags
  3. Plastic packaging used for fruit and vegetables
  4. Salad Containers
  5. Pre-Bagged produce (plastic mesh)

The Government has the ability to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in local grocery stores and it’s time we take a stand against companies that use plastics to bag or cover produce. There are biodegradable options that should be used to implement current packaging practices. Guidelines must be established to limit plastic use and encourage hemp plastic in mainstream packaging. I strongly encourage you to remind Premier John Horgan the BC government has an obligation to be an environmental steward.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

(Insert name), (City/Town)

petitions chamber (24)

The trick to cleaning up our environment quicker is finding ways of reducing the number of plastics in local stores. I think the government has done a good job to ensure we recycle our products but the hard part is reducing over-packaged items at the grocery store. Plastics are man-made; they do not occur in nature.  Soooo if it’s not naturally occurring it really shouldn’t even exist. We’re quickly moving up the creek without a plug or a paddle! 

It’s not easy to fix the plastic problem. But, if we ask ourselves one question at the right time it can make the difference. Plastic is a huge part of our lives it can be shaped into any form, it protects, encases, becomes tools, and is an integral part of so many gadgets. Our society has come to depend on them! This rudimentary thought should be labeled “Plastic Psychology.” Seriously I think I’m going to need a shrink to get me through a shopping trip!

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Which Soup Companies make a difference in the world

Is it possible for a company to become environmentally responsible and profitable at the same time? The answer to that question is a resounding YES! It’s entirely possible. These four companies provide nourishing food and also can make a difference to the greater good! They`re providing customers quality nutritious ingredients by sourcing them from local organic farms which support local producers.

Pacific Foods

This company has taken corporate responsibility to another level. Their goal is to deliver a product without creating waste! An American company with a mission and a vision to be energy efficient, and they’re using profits to support projects that facilitate alternative energy.

For the past thirty years Pacific Foods an Oregan based company has taken customer service to the next level. They’ve introduced a forthcoming business model that could make a difference in the world. It’s a straightforward approach to business that won’t compromise the environment. They mean business and if it means eliminating the trash compactor then so be it!

The process starts at the beginning of production. First, the discarded fats and solids are sent to the manufacturing plant to break them down by using bacteria. Then the energy is harnessed to generate electricity. The farm animals eat one hundred percent of the food scraps and the leftovers are sent to compost. Lastly, the waste from the Farm animals fertilizes the farmer`s crops. Simple!

The goal to be energy efficient is a priority and it turns out not surprisingly the result is profitable! They supply the North West with products like plant-based beverages such as Hemp Milk, Oat Milk, and Almond Milk. They`re serving up beans, soups, and sauces and kicking their carbon foot print’s butt!

Within five years they’ve realized the energy savings equal to the annual electrical consumption of three hundred and thirty homes or the gas emissions of five hundred cars. If this one company can make it happen then what about a huge company that has been around for years. Do they get it?

Campbells Company

Campbells Company soup has been around for one hundred and fifty years and they`re the king of the soup aisle! They’ve taken corporate responsibility public by dedicating a portion of their web page to show how they make a difference in the world. Statistics show the progress of set goals such as responsible sourcing, reduction of greenhouse gases, and reduction of landfill waste.

Their goal is not necessarily to become a zero-waste facility but to decrease waste in the percentile. They’re dedicated to sourcing farm animals that are cage or pen free. However, they still have a long way to go before they reach this goal. In their report, they’ve given themselves five to ten years to reduce water, greenhouse gases, and waste between twenty to twenty-five percent. The results so far are a long ways off from achieving their target and it makes me wonder if its a priority.

There are a few wins! Number one they have shown that they’re plants are safe. Secondly, fifty percent of their tomatoes are from a sustainable agricultural program. Lastly, they’ve reduced their water consumption by twenty percent from 2012 levels.

Knorr Foods

Knorr foods have been around for over sixty years and this company has developed a standard that other companies can model! The name of this standard practice is the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code. It has funded over seventy projects to support farmers and they pride themselves on their class of farmers.

Knorr farmers use environmentally friendly techniques to take care of pests, save water, encourage biodiversity and healthy soils. Their pest management system includes ladybugs, camera monitors and insect attracting perfumes. Furthermore, they`re taught to manage beehives and drip irrigation installations which save thousands of Liters of water a year. They’re working to make a difference in the world.

The goal of the Unilever agricultural code is to source one hundred percent of their ingredients from sustainable sources by 2020. If you see a sustainable partnership logo on any canned soup it means the soup ingredients have fifty percent sustainably sourced food.

The Unilever agricultural code reduces environmental impact by using organic ingredients, products from the rainforest alliance certification and Palm oil from Roundtable. It also has one hundred different companies that feed over two and a half billion people every day!

Imagine Foods

Imagine Foods has been doing business in California for almost forty years. This food company has taken a commitment to the environment seriously. They not only support Organic ingredients but also makes recyclable packaging.

Their soups, sauces, and broths are free from artificial ingredients, synthetic pesticides, preservatives,  and Genetically modified organisms. The packages are environmentally friendly because they use less material than other aseptic cartons. (glossy plastic-coated cartons) Minimizing conventional packaging reduces the overall carbon footprint for Imagine Foods. These are the facts that set this Brand apart from traditional soup manufacturers.

We live in a time where there are so many options and the choices can be overwhelming. Consumers find it difficult to make a choice that involves ethical standards and corporate environmental responsibility. The packaging and marketing often do not go into depth in regards to these matters. Overall, I studied 11 different companies and found four common brands which make a difference in the world. So the next time you buy Soup the decision to shop ethically will be easier!

Aseptic cartons can be recycled in the blue bins in Vancouver B.C.

www.pacificfoods.com

www.imaginefoods.com

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How To Stop Using Plastic Bags Effectively

I’m standing in the line up at the checkout in the grocery store and it dawns on me. I better put everything down and go home. Why?…I’d just forgotten my reusable shopping bags… again!  Annoyed I ask myself why do I keep forgetting these seemingly simple things?

The shopping bags were in the car at one point. I’d used them to pack the hoard of toys accumulated over time and they’re now tucked away at home. Even if they were in the car it’s too late because I’d completely forgot to bring them inside.

Consequently, I realize it’s an uphill battle to get them to where they need to be at the right time. Going to the grocery store can often be a spontaneous event. Most people besides those that make lists prefer to keep it that way.

The government must play a role to stop using plastic

Canadians use three billion plastic bags a year and the bags are used a grand total of twenty minutes. A truly troubling statistic considering it takes about a thousand years for one to break down. Yet, the Canadian Government has been slow to change the laws surrounding this controversial topic.

Furthermore, there are 161 cities in Canada and only two have adopted a law to reduce plastic bags. The Montreal Government banned single-use plastic bags from retailers with thousands of dollars in fines if they refused to comply. The Government of Victoria has also passed legislation to ban plastic bags. They will not allow retailers to hand out a paper bag unless the customer pays for it. This is a good start to stop using plastic bags but more needs to be done.

What can you do about it?

The Provincial or Federal Governments of Canada aren’t willing to enact legislation. So, we’ll need to act on our own accord to make changes sooner rather than later. There are two things a consumer can do now to stop using plastic bags now.

The first step to change and one of the best ways to stop using plastic bags is to not use them at all! Why bundle fruits and vegetables in a bag to separate them? Throw them in the cart and let them roll around together! Seriously for some people, this is the complete opposite of what they’re used to doing and change is good. Produce bags aren’t necessary because when we get home we just throw them all in the crisper together anyway.

Secondly, contact your local MLA today. Contact Us: British Columbia MLA Guide  These folks have their seats because of you! Let them hear consumer complaints, they work for us and we are their constituents. Pass on consumer sentiment to their office using the link above, copy and paste this template into an email and hit send. Easy Peasy

Sample Letter

Dear  (First name) (Last name)

As a proud B.C. resident and your constituent, one of my greatest concerns is the excessive use of non-biodegradable plastic in local grocery stores.  Controlling how plastic is disposed of is a problem and the government has taken strides to remedy trash through an extensive recycling program.

However, the global issue of plastics has increasingly become an extreme environmental issue and the government has the responsibility to take people’s efforts to the next level. Sorting plastics does not reduce the amount of plastic that is used unnecessarily on a daily basis.

If there is one place the government can make a change it is by banning single-use plastic in grocery stores. Over packaging and single-use plastics can be found in the following:

  • Roles of Plastic bags in the produce section
  • Cashier Plastic bags
  • Plastic packaging used for fruit and vegetables

Moreover, the Provincial Government has the ability to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in local grocery stores faster than muncipal governments. It’s time we take a stand against companies that use plastics to bag or cover produce. There are biodegradable options that should be used to implement current packaging practices.

Finally, guidelines must be established to limit plastic and encourage alternatives in mainstream packing and packaging. I strongly encourage you to remind Premier John Horgan the BC government has an obligation to be an environmental steward.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

(Insert name), (City/Town)

jason-leung-1101378-unsplash

All grocery store retailers must make it easier by adopting a program that brings in attractive reusable bags. Some retailers already place them next to their check out stands making our decision to buy them simpler.

For instance, while doing some Shopping at the dollar store the cashier asked if I needed a bag… I glanced behind me and saw a nicely printed cotton bag and told the cashier, “No thanks I’ll take one of these.” I paid $6.00 for a trendy bag I don’t mind carrying around town.

Lastly, If grocery stores would give us an option at the check out counter it could make a difference. I’m sure the reason retailers don’t willingly change their policy on plastic shopping bags is because they’re afraid the consumers would shop at the competitor across the street because they’re handing out plastic bags…