SunChips New Compostable Chip Bag: Eco Friendly but Really Annoying
New Chip Bags Are Hard on the Ears
The makers of SunChips realize their bags are noisy. In fact, on the 10.5 ounce bags of SunChips it says, "This bag is louder because it is compostable." On their website it says the bags are louder than regular chip bags because plant-based materials have different sound properties than the traditional chip bag. They hope that consumers will put up with the noise knowing the positive impact the new compostable bags will have on the environment.
I was first introduced to the noisy bags while sitting in my quiet house reading a book. As a joke, my son carefully placed two of the new 10.5 ounce sized compostable SunChip bags in my lap. I didn't understand what was so funny until I grabbed one of the bags. The unexpected and incredibly loud crinkly sound actually startled me. I couldn't believe a chip bag could be so loud.
Since I love SunChips, I wasn't going to let the crinkly noise stand in the way of eating them. But I soon grew tired of the entire neighborhood hearing each time I reached in to grab a chip. There would be no more sneaking a chip when no one is looking. It's almost like these bags have their own alarm alerting the entire family that someone is digging into the chip bag.
While writing this article, I had two bags of SunChips on my desk. I was turning the bags over to read about the bags being 100% compostable, when I realized I had to stop handling the bags. My daughter was in the other room sleeping and these bags would surely wake her up. Yes, these compostable bags are really that loud.
So the moral dilemma begins. What's more important to me, an enjoyable chip eating experience? Or a more eco-friendly packaging?
According to the SunChips website, the new bags will not decompose in a regular landfill. The bags must be in a hot compost pile, either at home or industrial, before they will break down.
I don't have a compost pile, and as far as I know my city throws the trash in a regular landfill. So the chip bags that are currently on my desk will be disposed of just like all the other chips bags that have gone before it. So is putting up with the annoying noise worth it if the bags won't end up in a compost pile?
As I sat pondering my moral dilemma over the new SunChip bags, I reached into the bag to grab a SunChip. The sudden noise of the crinkly bag sent my poor cat running for cover. I think I just got my answer.
Source:
Sunchips.com
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by Julie Lind
Julie Lind is a piano teacher, mother, composer and a writer. View profile
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27 Comments
Post a CommentUse recicled cardboard or paper on the outside and have the bag matierial on the inside or something... is it realy hard to come up with something new?
you must be...an idiot.
I refuse to buy Sun Chips anymore. We always bought them, but since the new bags are so irritating, that's it. I sure hope the team that came up with this ingenious idea isn't planning on using the same idea for all the other Frito Lay products!
To those of you suggesting a bowl. Have you considered that this bowl will have to be washed? That is typically done with very hot water which takes considerable energy to produce. I'm sure you will reply... "but it's just one bag, stupid American!" Well conversly it's just one bag. And if all products were using this compostiable bag, then that will be more dishes. Worse yet they might even use a disposable bowl or container. Shocking! Did you also know the bag contains aluminum? Outrageous! The commercially farmed corn to make this packaging is .... well thats a whole other can of worms.
In all seriousness it's a good idea, that needs tweaking.
This is more than being "slightly inconvenienced" by the bag's noise. The sound is absolutely terrible and much worse than the defenders are making it out to be. I would compare the noise to thunder or nails on a chalk board, and it was literally so loud that my neighbor complained. No joke.
I have since switched from Sun Chips to Harvest Chips, produced by a local store chain called Hy-Vee. I found them to be just as good or better than Sun Chips. Not to mention they're cheaper, and best of all, no horrible bag noise. The fact is that Frito-Lay should have designed a better eco-friendly bag. They have the resources.
frito lay made the first steps in helping to improve the environment. now it is our turn as consumers to keep this forward momentum going. refusing to purchase sunchips simply because of the noisy packaging is too loud is riduculous.
for all you eco-conscious consumers... check out this post on other manufacturers taking steps to leave a positive impact on the environment http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/how-big-brands-are-going-green/
It's too loud! Will I wake the child! Will no-one think of the children! Seriously - get a bowl, put the chips into the bowl and voila, problem solved. And then go out and do some volunteering as you have way too much time on your hands.
This subject is the "Bell toll" for a society that surely has way too much time on it's hands. Human garbage is a real problem that at least is being addressed by PepsiCo. Now, if the problem is that these are being shipped to our troops and thus giving away our tactical position, there's a real complaint. I believe that the folks that feel this issue is even worth bringing to the table should find a job or become productive in some tangible way. Otherwise, continue on this tack, let the country belong to some nice quiet Fascist Organizations that want to write legislation governing the sound of snack wrappings. W2W
"i stopped buying sun chips b/c its just too noisy. Seriously stupid bag."
And this is why Europeans smirk at us. so pathetic.
REDICULOUS! Yet another example of what is wrong with our society. Finally, we have a major manufacturer doing something to REDUCE waste and people are going to penalize them because they don't like the sound of the crinkle in the bag??!! This one of the more responsible movements in packaging in recent history and it makes me sad that Americans could be so pompous that they would incent Frito-Lay to stop their promotion because you don't like the sound. I hate the sound of landfills - maybe we could move those next to your house and see which you would prefer?? God forbid that you dirty a bowl... Congratulations on your contribution to the degradation of our society.