Does it seem counterintuitive that we’re packaging organic blueberries in plastic? Healthy, delicious blueberries, grown in ways that protect the environment…but then packaged in plastic. We get it. Like you, we are deeply concerned about the proliferation of plastic and its impact on our planet. That’s why we use packages that are made from 100% recycled plastic while we search for better options. Why do we even use any plastic? Based on what is available today, plastic is the only material that:
• Protects freshness and prevents cross contamination from chemicals
• Protects delicate organic blueberries from bruising and crushing
• Offers visibility to the product so shoppers can evaluate quality and freshness in the store
We would love to sell our berries in the open-top, fiberboard baskets like those in the farmers’ markets. But when our organic blueberries are making their way from our farm it into grocery stores, they need a little more protection, as described above. And it’s important to note that food waste is estimated to account for 6.7% of greenhouse gases – a major contributor to climate change. So preventing food waste (crushed berries that wouldn’t get eaten) is an important function of our packaging. If 6.7% doesn’t sound like it’s having a big impact, here’s a little perspective. If Food Waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind China and the U.S., according to the University of California’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative.
Since our packages are made from 100% recycled plastic, there’s no new plastic being made to make them so we’re not adding to the planet’s plastic burden. And although #1 PETE is the most widely recycled plastic, we understand that thermoformed plastics (like our packages) are not always recyclable – it depends on your local recyclers. We’ve included How2Recycle labels on all of our packages to help people with recycling questions.
But, we know that’s not enough. We’d love nothing better than to jettison plastic from our supply chain and we’re working on it. We hear you. We’re concerned, too. We hope it matters that we’re constantly seeking alternate materials to meet the needs of our products, our retail customers, consumers, and the planet.
Read more about our packaging here.
