Each month I feature a plastic product that is particularly ridiculous. The purpose of doing this is to show how we have taken this lightweight cheap material (plastic) and overused it for our own convenience and probably to the detriment of our health. This month’s featured item is the Pop Tart container. This plastic thing allows you to store your Pop Tarts in style. It comes in three colors. Two pop tarts fit in each container and each container costs $2.99.
One fan says she digs the pop tart container, because it means"no more crumbs in my bag! a lifesaver”. Don’t they come in a foil package already?
I also found many other brand specific containers like Nutribar containers and Pepperidge Farm goldfish containers. These products look exactly like the product they are designed to hold. How nice! We don’t want to be confused about which snack food is where! We might get confused and eat the container though. Would we notice??
My criteria for Stupid Plastic Crap item of the month are: 1. If removed from the face of the earth, there would be no negative effects. In fact the earth would benefit; 2. There is no logical reason for its existence; 3. It can easily be replaced with eco-friendly, simpler means.
Okay! Pop Tart containers and other brand specific containers would not be missed if removed from the earth. The only reason for their existence is advertisement for Kellogg. How to replace them with eco-friendly means? Pop Tarts come in a package already, just do not put them on the bottom of your back pack that is carrying books. Really - can’t you think of a healthier snack?
The tail dispenses little crackers!
Shannan H. says:
my husband bought this for our infant son before he was even born. i almost slapped him.
Adam W. says:
Oh man - I can totally imagine some person thinking it was the absolute coolest thing too.
Cris Bisch says:
Linda, it's hard to conceive of how much space all the plastic kitsch of the world would take up, if gathered in one place! I vote you to be one of the least likely people to join the "I love Archie McPhee" (http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com) fan club on Facebook.
Jordana G. says:
It reminds me of the hot dog and bun toaster in the Sky Mall magazine...
Adam W. says:
I dunno... that archie mcphee place looks pretty cool...
Linda A. says:
The truth is I think a lot of the Archie McPhee stuff is hilarious! I do not buy it anymore since I am trying to reduce my use of plastic.
Diana R. says:
WOW! How about we remove everything that is made of plastic that makes our lives easier! Yeah, that sounds like a smart idea. Just because you do not find these products useful, does not mean that they don't in fact make others lives easier. Before I found this masterpiece invention, I have wasted countless numbers of Pop Tarts that have smashed or gone stale after I only wanted to eat one at a time. When kids are rushing off to school in the morning, throwing one of these in their bags prevents book damage, clothes stains, and much more. So, maybe you don't eat these toaster pastries, but for those of us who do, this product is a life saver. Oh yeah, how did this turn into telling us to choose healthier snacks? Get off your high horse and accept that this world does not revolve around you. Just because you don't use something, doesn't mean it's not worthy to be in our presence.
Linda A. says:
Let's disagree without being angry or defensive. My goal is to point out the wastefulness of some plastic products because I think it is not worth the environmental costs even if it is convenient. If you disagree with me, I'm okay with that.