Two Skins For The Price Of One?
How fruit is gaining another skin
What to do with a fruit that already has its own protective skin? Why, wrap it in plastic, of course.
Bananas, known for their easy-to-peel yellow skins, are getting another layer, but this time in eco-unfriendly plastic. Individually-wrapped bananas could be the hottest trend if all goes well in 27 7-Eleven stores scattered throughout Dallas, Texas.
Fresh Del Monte created a special plastic wrap that keeps individual bananas from browning for five days, compared to the traditional 2-day lifespan of an unpackaged banana. Bananas ripen when exposed to oxygen, so this special plastic wrap prevents most oxygen from touching the banana, slowing the ripening process while maintaining freshness.
However, environmentalists have voiced concerns over these individually wrapped bananas, saying that extra plastic packaging is not sustainable and a waste for naturally-wrapped fruit. 7-Eleven has asked Fresh Del Monte to come up with eco-friendly packaging that is biodegradable. Fresh Del Monte’s VP of Marketing Dennis Christou responded by claiming that carbon emissions would decrease if banana shelf life extended, as less store deliveries would be needed.
This presents an interesting example of the trade-offs that being green creates. It’s difficult to determine who’s right on this one? In general, however, Sierra Club Green Home’s policy is the less plastic, the better.
Top Tips
- Natural remedies to prevent bananas from browning
When shopping, skip the individually-wrapped and buy regular bananas instead. Most grocery stores don’t require you to buy a whole hand of bananas. This freedom allows you to buy as few as you need, preventing waste and excessive purchasing.
To slow down the process of ripening bananas, follow these simple tips
- Look for greenish bananas with a hint of yellow, as they will ripen throughout the week
- Cut them up into slices and freeze them. Bananas freeze very easily and last a long time if you put them in freezer bags. They can be used on cereal and are especially good for making smoothies or protein shakes.
- Avoid placing bananas near the sun and fruits like apples and tomatoes
- Hang bananas on a banana stand
- What to do with brown bananas
One day passes by, two days pass by, soon it’s the end of week and there are still bananas sitting on the countertop. If you have leftover bananas from the week that are beginning to go south, instead of throwing them in the composter, follow these tips instead
- Use bananas in smoothies
- Make banana bread
- Use bananas for all-natural face masks
Other Considerations
Impact of plastic to the environment. According to SCGH’s Paper or Plastic article , plastic bags do not break down completely into organic materials. They go through a process called photodegradation. This means that the plastic is broken down into smaller pieces which can gain mobility and relocation via water, wind, or wildlife. According to the EPA and The Ocean Conservancy, wildlife is significantly threatened by various plastics, including discarded bags.
- Unnecessary packaging. Because of their thick skin, bananas are less susceptible to dirt. If nature provided us with fruit that can protect itself, why do we need to create a skin for them that is not kind to the environment?
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
This is retarded! Reducing carbon emissions because of less deliveries is better than more trash for an already-naturally wrapped fruit!? Give me a break– come on Sierra Club– this is already a ban on 7-Eleven stores in the making! I for one, am first on the list– no more 7-Eleven stores for me until they agree that this extra packaging on bananas is bananas and make changes or stop getting theirs through Del-Monte. And Del-Monte– shame on you too! I’m banning that too!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Extra packaging for bananas? That’s ridiculous. I understand that the bananas will last a little longer, but unless it’s like 2 weeks longer, I think it seems silly.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I won’t buy bananas that I have to unwrap twice. It just seems wrong.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
This sh*t is bananas.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Hmmm…lets see. What else can we unnecessarily individually package for the convenience of consumers? Lemons? Oranges? Will it never end!?!?
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Isn’t there something else that can be done so we don’t have to use more plastic? What if they refrigerated the bananas and got one of those EGG thingies that keep produce fresh longer. Or hang the bananas on a stand. I heard that keeps them fresh longer. Isn’t something as simple as that cheaper than plastic bags anyway!?
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Yah, I read that banana stands keep them fresh for a least a couple days longer. Did 7-11 even TRY that? These bags only keep the banana fresh for about an extra 2 days anyway, it’s not like theyre good for a month longer. A stand would work just as well in a more responsible and sustainable way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
This is a great article. I do wish 7-Eleven would try your banana stand idea.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
this is so ridiculous i dont even kno where to begin. WTH?!
but like i always say, gotta look at the bright side. maybe this wzy kids will start eating more bananas since theyre plasctic wrapped.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
this is ridiculous. why would you need to buy plastic wrapped bananas? if you know youre not going to eat all of them, then dont buy as many!