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Rimping supermarket in Chiang Mai came up with an ingenious way to reduce plastic packaging by wrapping their fresh produce in banana leaves instead.
Rimping Supermarket has come up with a rather interesting alternative to full plastic packaging
This banana leaf packaging can be found in the Rimping Supermarket in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A local real estate company in the city, Perfect Homes, posted photos of the banana leaf packaging to their Facebook page and it quickly gained widespread attention, with over 16,500 shares.
A promo video for the forward-thinking supermarket in Chiangmai This is a supermarket primarily aimed at non-Thai customers who live, work or stay in Thailand for extended periods. It is packed with “farang” (foreigner) food from all nations, for that familiar taste of home. Source: YouTube/RimpingSupermarket
packaging doesn’t get any greener The use of banana leaves instead of plastic for packaging vegetables is a great way to reduce single-use plastic. Source: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai System greatly reduces need for plastic While it looks like they use some plastic for adhering the label, this method significantly reduces the amount of plastic required. Source: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai Produce is simply wrapped in a banana leaf and secured using a flexible piece of bambooSource: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai A great green alternative Banana leaves are a great alternative to plastic as the leaf is large, thick and supple enough to be folded. Source: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai Consider the relative cost of plastic versus banana leaves In tropical locations, banana leaves are readily available locally and could be acquired for free depending on the quantity needed. Source: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai Local biodegradable solutions could work for other geographical locations In more temperate locations the use of banana leaves could be significantly more expensive than plastic. However, using local biodegradable products could be a good alternative in locations where bananas don’t grow. Source: Facebook/PerfectHomesChiangMai
The use of banana leaves to wrap food in has a long history
In some tropical regions of Mexico, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves. Hawaiians use banana leaves during pig roasts to protect the pig from the hot lava rocks. They are also used to wrap sticky rice in southeast Asia. —Forbes
Rimping really is a “Green Grocer” With biodegradable shopping bags, durable cloth bags, zero styrofoam, reused cardboard boxes, and a .50 Baht donation for every purchase without the use of plastic, Rimping Supermarket really is a “Green Grocer” in every sense. For more details of their green initiatives, click this link? Source: Rimping.com
We need a massive shift in our collective behaviour and we all have the power to make change when we own our actions and their consequences. Check out these proactive tips for living with less plastic.