For centuries humans used biodegradable and reusable packaging for our goods. From hemp to burlap, paper, cloth or banana leaves, ‘smart’ packaging was the norm. Now with petroleum-based plastics clogging up our land and waterways and leaching health-harming toxins into our food, everything old in packaging is becoming new again. When consumers reject plastic in our consumption choices we force the changes needed. Just say no! Tell stores and suppliers we want non-toxic packaging, and it will come.
This story is one of may good developments now happening, see Grocery chain replaces plastic produce packaging with banana leaves:
A supermarket chain in Chiangmai, Thailand, is doing its part to stem the tide of single-use plastics flooding into the ocean.
While most supermarkets bundle their strawberries in plastic boxes, their corn in plastic shrink wrap and their mushrooms in plastic produce bags, this grocer has come up with an innovative, eco-friendly solution.
Banana leaves are a plentiful and nearly free resource, except for the cost of gathering them.
They’ve been used for millennia as plates and food wrappers and are still used as stylish serving dishes today in Indian and Filipino restaurants.
Banana leaves are said to lend a special flavor to a dish and can even be used to steam foods like Vietnamese sausage.
Not only do the leaves make for a lovely presentation, but it is believed that an enzyme on the leaf, which is released into the food, aids in digestion.
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