I must be missing something, because I could not believe my eyes. In a world that is becoming increasingly concerned about the environment and trying to reduce packaging, waste and the use of plastic in particular, Del Monte and Chiquita have both launched individually plastic wrapped bananas. You’d think nature’s own protective covering would have been sufficient in the case of this particular fruit. But apparently not.
Apparently it is the US fast food market, including convenience stores at garages, that are the biggest supporters of these bananas. Del Monte insists the addition of a clear plastic bag is actually a green measure as the bag contains ‘Controlled Ripening Technology’ – which extends the shelf-life of the banana by up to a week (the banana is packaged while green, and ripens slowly over the week). That doesn’t quite make sense to me, since this product is aimed at the snack buyer who wants to eat immediately. They will therefore only buy a banana when it has ripened, and thus there will be a small window of purchase opportunity anyway.
And what about the plastic landfill and litter? I wonder if Del Monte and Chiquita will put some of the extra money they earn (these bananas are priced much higher than supermarket bunches) into pollution control and recycling? Somehow, I doubt it.
Whatever your view on this issue, you might find S+B’s recent article on the issue interesting. Read “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle… or Rethink” – it’ll make you think. And send a copy to Del Monte and Chiquita too.