A number of people have asked me about Styrofoam. One wondered how the manufacturers of the stuff could imprint the number 6 on their products, knowing the unlikelihood that said products would ever be recycled. Well, the answer to this is they can, because Styrofoam is a form of plastic No. 6 – polystyrene. In its hard plastic version, No. 6 is accepted in our recycles at curbside and at the transfer station. In its foam form, it is not.
Knowing this has made me more aware of the prevalence of Styrofoam. All of us have grown accustomed to seeing the foam trays in the meat departments of our grocery stores. Have you noticed, though, how the trays have crept into the produce area? I do most of my shopping at the Market Basket on Fort Eddy Road. If you take a look at its produce department, you might be amazed at how many items are arranged on foam trays wrapped in plastic.
This really puzzled me. How is it that a store that prompts its customers to bring reusable bags when they shop can turn around and embrace packaging that is clearly not environmentally friendly? Not only that, they seem to push it since often there is a discount associated with the packaged items.
I decided to voice my concerns to the produce department. I was then directed to call the company's headquarters in Tewksbury, Mass. I eventually had a conversation with Mike Maguire, director of produce for Market Basket.
First, he assured me that Market Basket was making an effort to use less packaging. He said that trayed produce is smaller in size. The store pays less for it, and the savings are passed along to the customer. I should have asked him at this point why the store just didn't display the smaller produce in bulk like it does the larger variety. He also said that the chain was looking into replacing the foam trays with a biodegradable option. However, if they were to cost three or four times more, it would not be worth it and they would stick with the foam.
If all of this bothers you as much as it bothers me, I suggest you contact Market Basket and let them know. Because unless Mr. Maguire (978-851-8000) hears that his customers are not satisfied, the trays will most likely stay.
Silence is agreement. As customers, our business is a powerful thing. We need to use that to our advantage and voice our concerns. The more people talk, the more Market Basket will pay attention. Oh, and Market Basket's policy is managers should be interrupted for calls from customers, so you won't be put on hold or have to talk to an answering machine.
