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11 Wasteful and Absurd Examples of Plastic Packaging for Groceries

Ridiculous 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

Absurd plastic packaging for food and products
These cola bottles and cans are additionally wrapped in a 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

Unnecessary plastic packaging with peeled eggs
That's really disturbing, isn't it? Two peeled eggs in a plastic pack for €1.50

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

Absurd plastic packaging for superfluous products
This absurd coconuts in plastic packaging has discovered reader Philipp in Barcelona

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

Apple in plastic packaging - Absurd packaging
A pre-cut apple in plastic packaging for 1.79 euros - absolutely absurd!

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

Absurd plastic packaging for food
Andrea took this picture in a supermarket: A shrink-wrapped potato!

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

Unnecessary plastic packaging for oranges
Oranges have a natural skin and yet here they have been shrink-wrapped in plastic.

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

Absurd plastic packaging for food
A picture from Hong Kong: A can of cola has been shrink-wrapped in a 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

Absurd plastic packaging for water
Cups with a few sips of water are distributed on airplanes and beaches, among other places.

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

Unnecessary plastic packaging for food bananas
A banana WITH PEEL in the shrink-wrapped 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

Absurd plastic packaging - Here: Peeled tangerines
Peeled mandarins in a plastic box: swap natural peel for artificial peel.

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

Unnecessary plastic packaging for a honey pomelo
Sandra sent me this unnecessarily plastic-wrapped honey pomelo

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,

Replace things Zero Waste

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

Coffee box Suggestions for improvement

* Links with asterisks are so-called affiliate links. If you click on it and buy something, you automatically and actively support my work with CareElite.de, because I get a small share of the sales revenue - and of course the product price does not change. Thank you for your support and best regards, Christoph!

Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

13 thoughts on “11 überflüssige Plastikverpackungen für Lebensmittel, die Kopfschütteln verursachen”

  1. I am not keen on plastic packaging. Moreover, this forces me to buy larger quantities than I can consume single in the foreseeable future: mainly quickly perishable fruits and vegetables. I often do without such goods, which I do not get in small quantities - e.g. open. However, even consumables from erasers to sunscreen or printer cartridges - especially technology items are occasionally necessary, (as well as clothes ...) and not available without plastic. The economy wants to boom and cheapest one produces in large centers dispatch and ready to buy , and sends best online ordered by truck across Europe. What can the end consumer do against it ???

    1. Hello Ingrid! Thanks for your comment. You could, for example, buy things like technology or clothes second-hand. Second hand is more than just a trend and the most sustainable and cheapest thing you can do 🙂
      Many greetings,
      Christoph

    1. Hi Julia, you are definitely right. People who can't cut their own fruit, for example.
      Nevertheless, people also buy these pre-cut products packaged in plastic, even if you could cut them yourself.
      Many greetings,
      Christoph

  2. Hello,
    I would like to give a presentation on plastic waste for an application. It should be about consumption, facts and figures and finally the plastic in the ocean. Once I wanted to ask what you think are the most important topics and my second question would be if I can legally print and show the photos used here.
    Love greetings
    Caro

    1. Hello Caro,
      yes, you can print the pictures, but please only with references.
      For plastic waste in the sea, you should check the article Garbage whirlpool in the sea Get inspired.
      That will definitely help you further 🙂
      Best regards and good luck,
      Christoph

  3. It's simply unbelievable what really pointless packaging is shown here. I'm really at a loss for words.
    Greetings Conny

    1. Hi Conny, thanks for your comment.
      That is indeed crazy... I have a few new finds again... but I think we have reached the turning point, from now on there will be less and less of this absurd packaging. 😉
      Many greetings,
      Christoph

  4. This is doubly sad: once because manufacturers package their products so unnecessarily, and then again because there are obviously buyers for such products.
    Fortunately, there are also positive developments, such as countries banning plastic products and the fact that the topic of waste avoidance is generally becoming more prominent - I think that's good. 🙂

    1. Hi Wind Sea!
      Absolutely right, the development is positive. Because as soon as such absurd products appear on the market, they are immediately discussed sharply. That's a good sign.
      Stay clean,
      Christoph

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