Tesco's Laser-Etched Avocados to Save on Packaging Waste - Core77
Tesco's Laser-Etched Avocados to Save on Packaging Waste - Core77
"Laser avocado" sounds like a Doritos flavor, but it's actually a packaging technique being trialed by Tesco. In a bid to reduce packaging waste, the UK supermarket chain is laser-etching avocados rather than using barcode stickers. And for their avocado products that come in twin packs, they're dit...
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. 🙂
But they are already avocados, packaging or etching is completely avoidable…
But how are you supposed to know it's an avocado if it's not laser etched??????????????? /s
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?
Seriously, I feel like this could all have been replaced by a paper sign...
Some markets that use signs also use a dot or two from a colored pen on the differently priced avocados (organic, large, etc.) to distinguish them at checkout.
I’ve never seen avocados in a box. Is that a common thing outside of the US?
Come to Denmark and you'll be seriously shocked by how much plastic is used for food packaging. It's insane and I hate it so much.
Tesco is in the Uk so I would say so.
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Only when folks don't believe their dollar spent affects things.
You know what’s even less packaging? Not putting them in a box
And not etching them as well.
Dunno why you got downvoted for this. I don't see why they'd waste energy etching them when they can just label the tub they're displayed in.
I once laser engraved "help I'm a banana" on a banana.
Death to non-compostable produce stickers. If lasers are what it takes, I'm all for it (not sure if that's really what's going on here though).
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).
You know what other option is popular and much more common than packaging or etching. A tiny sticker, made out of recycled paper.
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.
Rice paper, IIRC, with edible ink and glue
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
Why are single avocados packaged in any way?
Ah yes, putting company logos directly onto our food. Just what I've always wanted.
If it saves on waste, I say go for it --- I hate removing those stupid stickers before throwing them in the compost.
Bananas take really well to laser engraving.
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.
Was about to say this. I was a bit surprised my ginger had a logo lasered into it the first time I saw this
Would be cool to Lazer the Barcode on it
I believe this has been tried, but is difficult to do with most produce because the shape changes as the fruit ages on the shelf, making the barcodes unusable.
Laser all the foods!
I would totally eat Laser Avocado Doritos!
they could etch an advertisement on them to subsidize the cost.
Or "you could have bought a house"
Fuck that
Or buy things without packaging when it is available like for avocados
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.