Laughing cow cheese rocks my low calorie world, and hugs trees.
Hello tree huggers!
So, I wanted to share with you a happy little story about the Laughing Cow cheese company, who own and operate the Baby Bel line of mini cheese wheels.
I buy the large bags of the Original Baby Bel mini cheese wheels at Costco (www.costco.com) here in Seattle. I take the bag to work and eat two a day as a mid-day snack (helps get my servings of dairy in, at a low calorie cost).
Yesterday, I was opening the plastic wrapper, followed by the wax casing and I thought to myself "why all the packaging? What's up with that?" So, of course, like any self-respecting tree hugger, I emailed them and asked "What's up with that." You can read the exchange as follows:
Commentaires/Comments :
I always buy the large bags of the mini babybel's at the grocery store, or at costco. and I eat two mini's a day as a mid morning snack.....and every time I unwrap them, I wonder to myself, "Why so much packaging?" I love the wax part, but hate the plastic! Plastic will NEVER biodegrade, adn you can't recycle it, and you really don't need it with the wax on there. Couldn't you just imprint your logo on the wax? and save all the plastic? You'd cut your costs substantially too! These days, little bits of plastic like that are becoming more and more a part of the resistance to purchase things (at least in my generation-I'm 25). I think pursuing a more eco-friendly packaging would really speak to your consumers desire to waste less and still enjoy a favorite treat! (Also, I live in the United States, but couldn't find a website for the states, so I went to Canada's site instead....what's up with that?)
To: siiriguapa@hotmail.com
CC: DDurbin@belbrandsusa.com
Subject: Re: Fw: Site Minibabybel.ca - Contact us
From: KProdanov@belbrandsusa.com
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 15:08:32 -0600
Dear Siiri,
Thank you for contacting us. While we share your concern we certainly make an effort to use as little and less harmful packaging material. However with the size of the Mini Babybels, the outer cellophane is required by law to have the information on the product unit of each individual piece. It also helps protect the small piece from being damaged or spoiled. However we appreciate you taking the time to inform us of your concerns. Also we manufacture our wedges with recyclable cardboard, and try to make appropriate efforts when packaging our products.
Thanks for taking the time to write. For future reference, our U.S. contact information is available on www.laughingcow.com.
Thank you,
Kari Prodanov
Bel Brands USA
Office: (847) 879-1900
Fax: (847) 879-1999
kprodanov@belbrandsusa.com
