Oy! What's a plastic-free fudge-lovin' fish supposed to do? It was too much packaging to mail back to the company. And besides, this company is in San Francisco. I could return it to them myself! So I called the Fudge is MY Life company, and this is where the story gets funny and the issue confusing. The phone was answered by an older woman's simple, "Hello?"
Me: Um... is this the Fudge Is My Life Company?
She: Oh yes, sorry. I thought you were going to be someone else.
Me: Oh. I'm a customer. Have I reached your home?
She: Yes, in fact my office is in my home. How can I help you?
Me: Is this actually Lillian Maremont [the founder of the company and creator of the original recipe back in 1963]?
She: Yes, that's me! [laughing]
Me: Well! [Beth loses it and starts to gush...] I just have to tell you how awesome your fudge sauce is. It's the best I've ever had. I love it so much. I just received a case in the mail from my dad.
She: Oh, do you live in Oakland? I remember your order. I processed it myself.
Me: [Remembering the original purpose of my call...] I do love the fudge sauce, but it came packaged with all these Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap, and for environmental reasons I don't want to throw it away, so I was wondering if I could bring it back to you to reuse.
She: Oh, well, I guess you could. But I live out the in avenues in San Francisco... kind of far out for you. Why don't you take it to the warehouse company we use in Emeryville? [She gives me the name and address of the warehouse, as well as directions for how to get there.]
Me: Okay, I'll take it to them. Just wondering... have you considered using biodegradable packaging rather than Styrofoam?
She: We would love to, and we have tried the corn-based peanuts. But they're just too expensive for us right now. And I'm not sure any other type would protect the glass jars enough. I just really want to make sure that my fudge arrives in perfect condition for my customers to enjoy.
Me: Well, I hope the price comes down for you so you can switch away from the Styrofoam, and I'll take this material over to the warehouse.
And then I gushed some more about the fudge sauce and told her the story of Axelle's and my taste test and how hers won hands down over King's Cupboard. And she said I made her day. And we both hung up happy, although I was some somewhat conflicted. What a nice lady! Probably someone's grandma. And living in this world doing what she loves and spreading happiness. And Styrofoam. And plastic bubble wrap. Things aren't always as black and white (or brown and white in this case) as they seem, are they?
So I strapped that big box of plastic onto my bike basket...
Oh yes I did! And rode it out to Emeryville, where the warehouse receptionist very graciously accepted it from me and said they would reuse it.
(I LOVE MY NEW BIKE! I can't wait to find out what else I can strap onto it.)
Final analysis: I had a great conversation with a lovely person and made her day. I returned some plastic and Styrofoam to the company without using any extra petroleum to get it there. I learned how to transport big stuff on my bike. And I got a buttload of chocolate fudge sauce. I think I win!
Beth Terry writes about finding alternatives to plastic and tracks her own plastic consumption and plastic waste at www.FakePlasticFish.com. Why Fake Plastic Fish? "Because if we don't solve our plastic problem, they could be the only kind of fish we have left." Please stop by and leave a comment!
Ken O. says:
Cool cacao beans!
I'm wondering why the basket isn't on the front... might make strapping a larger heavier object on it easier.
Take care!
Ken