11 Wasteful and Absurd Examples of Plastic Packaging for Groceries

Are you looking for the most absurd plastic food packaging that illustrates the plastic waste problem in our society? Then you've come to the right place!

Over the course of time, I have come across many completely crazy or simply unnecessarily packaged supermarket products when shopping or online, which have caused me a mixture of feelings of astonishment, hopelessness and anger. Simply because the Plastic waste in the environment and this disposable waste is one of its causes.

On the plus side, images of this at least generate outrage and a "hello wake-up" effect!

In this article, I'm going to show you the most unnecessary plastic packaging I've ever seen and for which the respective manufacturers will surely go to hell. Finally, I'll give you a tip on how to avoid such products in the future. Let's go!

1. cola from the plastic bag

Rightly heard and rightly seen: You get this cola not only in the plastic bottle or the tin can, no: you also get them in a plastic bag. Our reader Alex came across this unnecessary plastic packaging while on vacation in Sardinia.

One question remains forever unanswered: What purpose did the product developers see behind the plastic bag around the cola? It is apparently not enough for plastic bottles to be left on beaches all over the world. In this case, there is also the plastic bag.

2. two peeled eggs in the plastic bowl

Even though Vegans no longer eat eggsthis picture is my Sample example for each presentation On the subject of plastic consumption: two peeled eggs in plastic packaging for €1.50.

The picture went around the world on Facebook a few years ago and fortunately has many people aware of the problem with plastic packaging made.

The most absurd thing: packed in a cardboard carton, you paid the equivalent of 30 cents for two eggs at the time. Consumers simply paid almost 1.20 euros more for the pre-peeling and plastic packaging. The excessive pricing for this ridiculous product also ultimately has a positive effect for the manufacturers. big shitstorm means.

3. coconuts in plastic packaging

A coconut is so hard to crack. Why is that? Precisely because it has a natural shell! The "product developers" of these coconuts probably wanted to play it safe. Or What is the purpose of the plastic film around the hairy shell?

Reader Philipp sent me this picturethat he in Barcelona has recorded. Another example of crazy food in plastic packaging.

Tip: Coconuts are often sold together with plastic straws, which end up on the beaches. Take a look at the article about Good reasons against plastic straws in which you also use plastic-free alternatives (e.g. these glass straws*).

4. pre-cut apples in plastic packaging

Some of the most unnecessary plastic packaging - and at the same time the symbols of our Disposable society - These include this one for an apple. Already pre-cut, they are intended to give the buyer the Remove cutting work. The customer pays 1.50 euros more directly for this, as an ordinary, packaging-free apple cost around 30 cents at the time.

Once again absolute profiteering combined with lots of plastic waste. Thanks to reader Nora, who sent us the Picture on Facebook has made available.

The alternative: If you want to snack on an apple on the go, you can simply pre-cut it quickly at home and put it in a Stainless steel lunchbox* take with you.

5. potato shrink-wrapped in plastic

Not at all Zero Waste Lifestyle these potatoes also fit in the plastic packaging. The foil is absolutely unnecessary, as the potato has a natural skinwhich is usually washed and also peeled off.

What the manufacturers had in mind remains their secret. In the end, they expected higher costs and an image-damaging shitstorm. Because the image that Andrea Milne in a supermarket went around the world.

An important sign for a more conscious and More sustainable consumer behavior!

6. oranges in the plastic sleeve

This photo from France Sent to Nina on Facebook. The oranges are unnecessarily shrink-wrapped in plastic foil, although they are known to be a Sturdy natural shell have. Plastic packaging is therefore completely superfluous here too and results in higher costs for suppliers.

7. cola can in the sealed plastic tray

That's pretty much the most disturbingthat I have ever heard in connection with the plastic-free lifestyle I have seen. This supermarket in Hong Kong sells an ordinary can of cola in a shrink-wrapped plastic tray.

2x plastic and 1x tinplate for 8-10 sips. Who conserve resources in everyday life naturally foregoes such offers - and switches to, among other things such reusable stainless steel drinking bottles* um.

And apart from all the garbage, the popular soda is also one of the unhealthiest products you can drink. The picture has been circulating on the Internet for quite a whileoriginally posted it Martin Twillich on Twitter.

8. water in a plastic cup with a straw

I took the picture at one of my CleanUps in Indonesia recorded. Why? Because we, not only collected hundreds of such plastic cups on this beach have

Corporations such as Nestlé and Danone are privatizing water sources worldwide in order to sell five sips of water in plastic cups with straws, which then e.g. presented to surfers as a refreshment and then often end up as waste in the sea.

Absolutely superfluous, but profitable. In my opinion, this water cup belongs at the top of the list of products in plastic packaging that cast doubt on the sanity of mankind. Here too such reusable stainless steel drinking bottles* and tap water the plastic-free alternative.

9. bananas with peel in plastic packaging

Ready for the next cracker? Here you can see a peeled banana in its shrink-wrapped plastic peel. There the banana has a natural peel this packaging makes absolutely no sense. It would even make more sense to sell peeled bananas in it 😉.

This picture has also been circulating on social media for years and draws attention to the major packaging problem and the Plastic mania in our society attentive. Unfortunately, I don't know who actually shot it. But one thing is certain: it's an absurd product that nobody should really buy in the supermarket.

10. pre-peeled mandarins in plastic

A picture that shows that our society has become incredibly comfortable and seems to need peeled mandarins in plastic packaging. The mandarin also has a natural peelwhich we can simply deduct. Instead, the fruit is sold in plastic packaging at a higher price.

Nathalie Gordon uploaded this picture to X and communicated their lack of understanding. Of course you can Buy mandarins loose almost everywhere and peel them yourself.

11. honey pomelo in plastic wrap

Here, too, we have a Prime example of food unnecessarily wrapped in plastic. The honey pomelo is wrapped in plastic foil, even though it is a natural shell has.

Sandra kindly sent me the picture. We have it here on facebook already discussed in detail. It really is incrediblethat such products could make it onto the market at all, don't you think?

What to do about absurd plastic packaging?

As you have noticed in this article, there is a whole lot of crazy and unnecessary food wrapped in plastic. Fortunately, images like these spread very quickly on social media and even Triggering shitstormsbut makes it clear that we are on the right track. The following also help Single-use plastic bans from the state.

You can also do something about this crazy packaging madness in your everyday life. Share the pictures and this article and let manufacturers know directly if you notice any unnecessary packaging. The more people who do this, the better. You can do this, for example, with the Replace Plastic Appwith which you scan the barcode and send your request.

"Your receipt is your ballot. Every damn time."

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Do you have any questions, suggestions or have you seen any other absurd plastic packaging? Then, as always, I look forward to your comments below this article.

Stay clean,

PS: Under Plastic-free shopping and Zero Waste Tips for more inspiration for a waste-free everyday life!