Tesco's Laser-Etched Avocados to Save on Packaging Waste - Core77
2 years ago by spittingimage to c/upliftingnews
I'm sharing this because any reduction in unnecessary packaging waste is good for the planet - and because I think laser-etching avocados is funny. 🙂
Agreed, but since they're not avoiding packaging or etching, etching is better.
Personally, I'd rather see them etched wit guacamole recipes.
But what's the point if etching them in the first place? They etch cabbage or ears of corn. It just seems overkill for no reason
Many people forget that a store can have two types of avocados priced differently that then needs to be distinguished from one another at the checkout. It could for example be organic Vs conventional. Or for apples there are many different types that can all look the same. I find this type of tech pretty cool. I would love to see variations of it. Maybe editable wax ink or something like that
Around here we just have little stickers on the produce with a code number on it. Most produce is just stacked with no packaging. You collect as many as you want in a bag. At the check out, the little code number can be used tell what the exact variety is.
This seems a lot simpler than lazer etching to me, but idk, maybe that is really cheap and easy too?
It's also about the fear of people just moving stickers around. I personally think it's probably only a very small amount of people who would actually do that so the cost of preventing that is not worth it.
I can inform you that laser edging is much cheaper and way faster than stickers. Lasers are cheap and you don't have any consumables you need to keep buying like stickers.
Stickers don't break down, however. They're super annoying for composting stuff because you have to remove every single one
Seriously, I feel like this could all have been replaced by a paper sign...
How do you scan them at checkout? Yes you could do manual entry/lookup. That could be said about everything though.
4770, most cashiers knows that code by heart
This thread seems to be populated by competent people. I would like everyone to step back for a moment however and consider how many incompetent people exist.
Think about self-serve checkouts, and how despite items being clearly labeled and the machines having item lookups, people still struggle constantly. Now imagine how many more people would struggle without the label.
Think about the employee wrangling the self checkout dealing with increased frustrated customers. Think about how fickle customers can be, throwing up their hands at a minor obstacle and deciding to just buy avocados from now on from the store across the street that still uses stickers. You know these people exist. You know they exist in number. So do markets, so the laser etching is mitigating the problems they'll have from removing stickers.
I get where you're coming from but I'll just say most fruits and vegetables already don't have any stickers on them here (Canada) and people have been surviving fine. The only time I see a sticker is when it's bundled in a pack.
If someone struggle that much he usually goes to a cashier instead of the self-checkout.
I’ve never seen avocados in a box. Is that a common thing outside of the US?
The US has its own share of overly plastic packaging. I have occasionally seen individual vegetables shrinkwrapped. It’s just not the norm.
I saw a pre-peeled orange for sale at a convenience store. It was wrapped in plastic wrap. Like, why‽‽‽ They literally grow their own wrapper....
It happens to cucumbers relatively often but other veggies are just so weirdly shaped from a packaging standpoint that I don't think they see it as worthwhile
That was the one I was thinking of! I knew there was an organic veggie I regularly buy that’s wrapped.
Tesco is in the Uk so I would say so.
Death to non-compostable produce stickers.
God I hate those. They constantly end up in the compost despite my best efforts. God only knows how many of them are part of the soil in my garden now.
"Wow, they sure did eat a lot of stickers."
"We postulate that the stickers may have had some spiritual or religious function, possibly in hopes of a good harvest."
I feel like other grocers have already solved this problem by just not putting barcodes on the produce at all, and having the item manually punched in at the register while it's on a scale (if it's sold by weight and not per item).
Better yet biodegradable paper and glue so you just throw all the shit in a compost bin!
The stickers are compostable and edible already
Editing to say I'm a liar I guess, since I couldn't find proof to back this claim and have just been eating plastic sometimes.
Where do you have that? I haven't seen that in most places
Omg I guess I've been tricked. I had read that they were mostly in at least the US but now can't find any evidence to support that. Gotta do my homework better I guess.
There's one company that is making them that has customers all over north america but I guess it's not as common as I thought. https://www.cbc.ca/...
You dont even need the sticker. They are avocados and are distinct and easy for a cashier or moron at self checkout to figure out how to ring up.
Yeah I was googling around and as far as I could tell they must not be harmful if accidentally consumed, but I think can still be made of plastic (which is...weird), and don't need to be compostable:
I could be wrong though, it's kinda confusing as to the rules.
What? You guys wrapping avocado individually in a paper box? Why?
I dunno. Supermarkets near where I live sell avocados individually out of a big plastic tub under a sign saying AVOCADOS in case you can't tell by looking.
I've never seen Tesco sell avocados like this before, normally they're just loose in a box or something
They use this technique for a while now to mark organic fruit and veg in my (german) supermarket. Where they used packaging previously to distinguish them from regular, cheaper produce, they can omit that now. I like it.
Laser all the foods!
Or "you could have bought a house"
Fuck that
Isn't that using way more energy..?
Eh... I dunno. You'd be comparing the power consumption of the laser etching machine to the energy cost of shipping oil to make the plastic to make the label, shipping the raw plastic to a facility to actually print the labels, making the adhesive, then (probably) shipping the labels and adhesive to the packing plant and then adding in the power of the machinery to that actually sticks the label on.
I have no real numbers here but I could see zapping a avocado with a laser being the more energy efficient one.
What label? I literally have not seen any sort of stickers on fruits & veggies in years. I only see packaging on softer produce that's prone to damage, quick to dry out, or harder to carry due to size. But again, it's an avocado.
Not sure where the energy of the avocado becomes relevant here. It won't be used to produce electricity.
I don't see the point for either. It's an avocado.
They dont even nneed a sticker. At the self checkout at my store you just hit the "item lookup" and press "avocados" and thoe how many you have
Replace? I've not seen stickers on any veggies or fruits in many many years.
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@lemmy.world
Welcome to /c/UpliftingNews (rules), a dedicated space where optimism and positivity converge to bring you the most heartening and inspiring stories from around the world. We strive to curate and share content that lights up your day, invigorates your spirit, and inspires you to spread positivity in your own way. This is a sanctuary for those seeking a break from the incessant negativity and rage (e.g. schadenfreude) often found in today's news cycle. From acts of everyday kindness to large-scale philanthropic efforts, from individual achievements to community triumphs, we bring you news—in text form or otherwise—that gives hope, fosters empathy, and strengthens the belief in humanity's capacity for good, from a quality outlet that does not publish bad copies of copies of copies.
Here in /c/UpliftingNews, we uphold the values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. We encourage you to share your positive news, comment, engage in uplifting conversations, and find solace in the goodness that exists around us. We are more than a news-sharing platform; we are a community built on the power of positivity and the collective desire for a more hopeful world. Remember, your small acts of kindness can be someone else's big ray of hope. Be part of the positivity revolution; share, uplift, inspire!
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But they are already avocados, packaging or etching is completely avoidable…
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