You have probably noticed it in the supermarket: an organic cucumber wrapped in plastic lying next to a conventional cucumber without any plastic. At first glance, this seems contradictory. After all, organic stands for a better environment, and aren’t we trying to reduce our use of plastic? However, the story behind the plastic jacket around your organic cucumber, pepper or carrot is a bit more nuanced. In this article, we explain why.
Shelf life
Our food system is responsible for more than a third of total global CO₂ emissions. Land use and food production in particular contribute heavily to this pollution. In addition, people in the Netherlands waste around 33.4 kilograms of food per person per year, mainly bread, vegetables, fruit, potatoes and dairy products (Voedingscentrum, 2025). Reducing food waste is therefore seen as one of the most important actions in the fight against climate change.
Research by Wageningen University shows that a cucumber lasts up to three times longer when wrapped in plastic. The plastic covering protects it from damage during transport and in the shop. Ultimately, the environmental impact of the plastic film is outweighed by the reduction in food waste. But why is plastic used for organic cucumbers and not for conventional ones? One reason is that organic cucumbers are expected to stay on the shelves longer, making it more beneficial to package them.
Distinction
Another reason for wrapping organic vegetables in plastic is to clearly distinguish them. Packaging makes it possible to display information about the product, such as a BIO label. This distinction is important to keep organic and conventional produce separate and to prevent fraud. Because organic cucumbers sell in smaller quantities and form a smaller part of the range, it makes more sense to package them. Of course, this is disappointing if you care about sustainability and are trying to reduce your plastic use.
Laser labelling
Nowadays, alternatives have been developed to distinguish organic from conventional produce. An interesting example is laser labelling on the skin of the vegetable. Using a special laser technique, the BIO label is etched onto the skin, making plastic packaging unnecessary. This method is already used for vegetables such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins.
Organic without plastic
Does this mean you should choose vegetables wrapped in plastic? Certainly not. People choose organic for various reasons: it is better for the environment and the climate, and it contains no chemical pesticides. If those vegetables are then still wrapped in a jacket made from petroleum (since that is the raw material for plastic), that is of course a shame.
But don’t worry—there are definitely ways to avoid this. Organic shops do not need to distinguish between organic and conventional produce, because everything they sell is organic. So if you want to buy vegetables without plastic, go to an organic shop rather than a supermarket.
Actively reduce food waste
Every product you buy has an environmental footprint. If you throw it away, valuable raw materials and energy are lost. Plastic packaging therefore does serve a purpose. However, if you make sure your vegetables don’t rot in your fridge, you won’t need plastic at all. Think carefully about how much you buy and what you buy. The sooner you eat it, the less you waste.
By storing fruit and vegetables correctly, you can immediately take a big step towards reducing waste. Some vegetables don’t need packaging at all or can even be stored outside the fridge. Organise your fridge properly to prevent food from going mouldy or contaminating other items. This is one of the first things chefs learn at catering college.
If you would like to know more about how to organise your fridge, take a look at the Canadian government’s website on how best to store fresh vegetables. You’ll be amazed at how long your vegetables stay fresh—even without plastic!
Conclusion
So keep buying organic vegetables, even if they come wrapped in plastic. It is better for the environment and supports organic farmers. If you really want to live plastic-free, choose an organic shop and store your vegetables properly.
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