
Packaging waste for fruit and vegetables. Are there sustainable alternatives?
Fruit and vegetables are healthy - and often packaged in plastic or paper in the supermarket. Unnecessary? Eco-checker Tobi Koch finds out and looks at alternatives such as coatings and natural branding with laser.
Less waste through protective fruit and vegetable packaging
Less plastic and paper waste, and therefore less use of raw materials, is important for the environment and climate. Surprising finding - this does not necessarily apply to the fruit and vegetable shelf, because plastic films protect fruit and vegetables from rapid spoilage and damage - so the goods last longer if in doubt. In particular, sensitive or well-traveled foods such as berries or asparagus from Chile could not be offered unpackaged on supermarket shelves. According to the Working Group on Packaging and the Environment (AGVU), which represents the packaging industry, packaging actually saves CO2 overall because less food is wasted.
Why packaged fruit and vegetables are often the worse choice
Fruit and vegetable packaging becomes problematic when people buy more than they actually need: If you need a single lemon for baking, you don't need a whole plastic net of it. Many foods still end up in the trash due to pre-packaging. Packaged foods are often offered cheaper per kilogram because this results in more sales for retailers. In the end, consumers and the environment pay for it.
Paper is not inherently better than plastic
Paper and cardboard packaging often only appears to be the environmentally conscious choice. Fresh fibers are mandatory for food - this also means an enormous use of resources and energy to produce fresh cardboard and paper. Coated cardboard packaging is often difficult to recycle and is ultimately incinerated. This is not environmentally friendly.
What alternatives are there to plastic and paper packaging?
To keep food fresher for longer, avocados and citrus fruits can be covered with a thin film: the so-called coating. Protective films of this type must always be declared in trade. You can recognize them, for example, by the E numbers E905, E914 for artificial waxes, E901 for beeswax, E904 means shellac and the E numbers E471 and E473 hide new coatings made from sugar residues from fatty acids.
Coatings help keep food fresher for longer. However, sensitive foods do not protect them from mechanical stress and pressure points. In addition, foods that already have a robust shell are often coated. An alternative is laser-burned labels. They help to avoid waste caused by small stickers. But this natural branding also requires energy and is not suitable for all foods.
Conclusion
Whether plastic, paper, coatings or branding: most fruit and vegetable packaging can be dispensed with. This rarely sits on the supermarket shelf for more than a day and stays fresh for a long time in the fridge at home - without any packaging. Only very sensitive types of fruit such as berries need the extra protection. Food that has traveled far should be avoided if possible and should be bought seasonally from local production. This saves waste and energy and protects resources and the environment.
Source:
SWR market check / eco checker
Also read our fact checks:
Power strips – Really now?
84 actors?
No, a bit player in a vaccination campaign! “Died suddenly” – Died suddenly. An international fact check.
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication
.
The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual articles (not fact checks) were created using machine help and
were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )
With your help, you support one of the most important independent sources of information on the subject of fake news and consumer protection in German-speaking countries
Are you concerned about misinformation online? Mimikama is committed to a fact-based and safe internet. Your support allows us to continue to ensure quality and authenticity online. Please support and help us create a trustworthy digital environment. Your support counts! You too can become an ambassador for Mimikama











