Comments on: Heinz Redesigns Ketchup Package. Landfills Groan.

By: Jon Gelbard

Jon Gelbard — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:59:41 +0000

Not impressed. I think these useless, wasteful mini condiment packets should be banned. What's a better solution for sauce-loving customers? If customers request ketchup, they just get a couple of to-go plastic mini containers filled with ketchup at the restaurant (which can use the kind of little containers with caps that can be compostable). If the customer doesn't request ketchup, they don't get the 5-10 packets that many restaurants still toss in your to-go bag. I don't like plastic mini-dipping cups either, but at least they can be recycled (or composted if bioplastic).

Now as a ketchup lover, I also friggin despise mini packets for practical reasons. It usually takes me like 5+ packets to get the amount of ketchup I need for fries, hot dogs and burgers. (which fortunately, I eat only a few times a year). And I sometimes end up with the ketchup squirting in some unexpected direction.

My solution has always been to favor establishments that offer ketchup (and other condiment) dispensers. I usually avoid the wasteful little plastic or paper dipping cups they offer by either (1) unwrapping my sandwich and pumping some ketchup on the wrapper, or (2) making space for ketchup in my fries container (if it's a more open tub).

Anyway, that's my two cents on sustainable condiment consumption.

Does anyone know what restaurants did before mini-packets were available?

By: Jon Gelbard

Jon Gelbard — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:59:41 +0000

By: Chris Harold

Chris Harold — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:31:22 +0000

You can set up as many global defense funds, environmentalist groups as you want but nothing will change until companies start doing the right thing instead of setting trends. As important as this “news” may seem, it's irrelevant to the majority of the economy. If Heinz were to use recyclable material to make green label packaging it would make an impact rather than a headline.

By: Dinesh Thirupuvanam

Dinesh Thirupuvanam — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:28:23 +0000

I wonder if compostable packaging was a no go from a health / sanitation standpoint. I'm guessing some of those packets have been sitting around for years (decades??) in the backs or fronts of some fast food restaurants. If the packaging was compostable and broke down in-store (PLA in particular breaks down in high heat), I could see a lot of angry Heinz's clients & restaurant managers.

Agreed on the missed opportunity – I just wonder if they looked into it…

By: A Heinz Redesign. For Better Or Worse? « Cause Integration

A Heinz Redesign. For Better Or Worse? « Cause Integration — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:08:09 +0000

[...] A Heinz Redesign. For Better Or Worse? 2010 February 8 tags: conscious consumer, consumer trends, heinz, heinz ketchup package, heinz redesign, ketchup, nick aster, sustainability, triple pundit by Jonathan Kalan Nick Aster/ Triple Pundit [...]

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Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:42:47 +0000

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By: Pepper and Dylan Show » Blog Archive » New Heinz Ketchup Package

Pepper and Dylan Show » Blog Archive » New Heinz Ketchup Package — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:56:04 +0000

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By: Left Turn at Albuquerque » Ketchup Packets Catch Up To The Times

Left Turn at Albuquerque » Ketchup Packets Catch Up To The Times — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:21:17 +0000

[...] @ Triplepundit. var addthis_pub = 'matthewhwolf2'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'email, [...]

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:23:12 +0000

Brilliant critique, Nick. Ketchup (and thus packaging) efficiency does perhaps have merit, you're right, but the opportunity was missed, BIG TIME. Heinz has all this expensive communications and PR going on, and how much more effective it would be in creating consumer loyalty if it also had an element of “we're doing the right thing”.