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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at Tesco meal deal sandwiches?

113 replies

Sweetforthesummer · 13/08/2022 11:45

New to mumsnet so if I get things wrong in this post please excuse me.

Anyway, the other day I got myself and the DC a tesco meal deal for lunch.

I had to get back to doing some jobs so I left the DC to finish their sandwiches.

I came back to check on them about 20 minutes later and found torn paper from the sandwich wrapper all over the kitchen table.

I asked DC1 what on earth was going on and they explained to me that they had to peel off the plastic to recycle the card. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

We cleaned up the card in the end and recycled it but AIBU to think that working, busy people aren't going to go to that much effort to recycle some paper?

Went back to tesco today to get some more and they claim to be fully recyclable on the packaging.

Yeah right! Obviously I'm still going to use them so just a rant really.

OP posts:
chesirecat99 · 13/08/2022 12:29

I don't really see the issue with having to tear off the film but I agree with PPs that cardboard sandwich wrappers are rarely suitable for recycling because they usually have grease/food on them. If there is enough salvageable cardboard on food containers like pizza boxes or sandwich wrappers, I just tear off the clean bit. It only takes a few seconds.

I sometimes wonder whether plastic packaging that can be rinsed and recycled might actually be more environmentally friendly.

Sally090807 · 13/08/2022 12:27

LilacPoppy · 13/08/2022 11:51

Just put the whole thing in the normal bin. What a pointless drama.

This

Thelnebriati · 13/08/2022 12:27

If the plastic film is cellophane you can just put it in the recycling; unless its greasy and has food smeared in it in which case you put it in the non recyclable bin. Cellophane can also be safely composted.

redskyatnight · 13/08/2022 12:26

to be fair, people tend to buy meal deal sandwiches when they are out and about and most will put the packaging in the general bin, rather than take it home or to a place where they can recycle.
Whilst I appreciate the diligence of OP's children, not buying pre-packaged sandwiches is better for the environment than buying them. Especially if you are going to eat them in your own kitchen.

Needmorelego · 13/08/2022 12:25

I would love to be able to recycle. Unfortunately living in a block of flats we have communal bins and the recycling ones constantly get contaminated with non recycling so end up going to landfill.
I've spoken to the council etc but unfortunately I can't have any control or responsibility over the other 34 flats and their residents to use the bins correctly.
So I pick my battles and worries - in other words if I am eating a sandwich at home I make it at home. Not making regular trips to Tesco to buy pre packaged ones. Stop buying pre packed sarnies to eat at home 🙄

Georgeskitchen · 13/08/2022 12:24

By the time you went to tesco and bought meal deal you probably could have made sandwiches at home, fresh, for about a tenth of the cost!! And nothing to recycle!!

PupInAPram · 13/08/2022 12:19

LilacPoppy · 13/08/2022 11:51

Just put the whole thing in the normal bin. What a pointless drama.

Wrong, wrong and wrong.

Original poster
Sweetforthesummer · 13/08/2022 12:19

sidheandlight · 13/08/2022 12:19

I asked DC1 what on earth was going on 🙄

Everything OK there?

OP posts:
sidheandlight · 13/08/2022 12:19

I asked DC1 what on earth was going on 🙄

sanityisamyth · 13/08/2022 12:18

It's very easy to peel the plastic away from the card. I don't understand the problem? The PP who commented not to bother and just to put it in the bin makes me feel that the whole climate change issue is a lost battle when large companies have made an effort to make their packaging more sustainable and people still put it in the landfill.

PriamFarrl · 13/08/2022 12:18

Sweetforthesummer · 13/08/2022 11:53

I don't think I'll be posting on mumsnet for long! A lot of you seem very miserable

5 replies and 10 minutes later and you decide to flounce because people aren’t agreeing with you?

Anyway, it’s a lot of drama over nothing. Don’t buy prepacked sandwiches if you are that bothered.

Christmasiscominghohoho · 13/08/2022 12:15

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 13/08/2022 12:02

You are so lucky you don't have any real problems!

^This.

megletthesecond · 13/08/2022 12:14

Yabu. Unless it's greasy then you can't recycle it.

FlatBottomedGirl · 13/08/2022 12:10

Sandwich boxes go straight in the bin. Same for pizza boxes. Any grease or food residue is not good for recycling systems.

LizzyELane · 13/08/2022 12:07

I'm not allowed to put takeaway pizza boxes in my recycling bin, I assume because they don't want food residue on cardboard. So i wouldn't put sandwich packets in either. The bin men actually rummage through my recycling bin and leave a red tag on it if I've put something wrong in there - it's quite intimidating!!

BeanieTeen · 13/08/2022 12:03

I don't think we're supposed to recycle packaging that's been in contact with food, are we?

What? Of course you can! Surely food packaging makes up the vast majority of anyone’s overall recycling? Otherwise what’s the point? Obviously it shouldn’t be covered in food, you give things a rudimentary clean if it needs it.

BorderlineObsessedWithYou · 13/08/2022 12:03

Only a small amount of what is recyclable, that we put in the recycling bin, actually gets recycled anyway. It’s all a bit of a con, governments need to sort it out.

yellowsmileyface · 13/08/2022 12:02

YANBU.

I try to be good about recycling but I usually end up putting the whole thing in the main bin as it's too tricky to get all the plastic off.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 13/08/2022 12:02

You are so lucky you don't have any real problems!

Youngatheart00 · 13/08/2022 12:00

I tend to agree with you - items that need to be torn up / disassembled to be recycled is a lot of faff and probably counter productive

I’m sure a lot of people put the whole packet into the recycling on the basis of their labelling and this causes contamination and I believe whole bins worth of recycling going to landfill as a result!!

they’d be better off doing away with the plastic window altogether

YANBU to complain about it though as it is all a faff!

Original poster
Sweetforthesummer · 13/08/2022 12:00

Thanks!

OP posts:
Jourdain11 · 13/08/2022 11:59

Good on your kids for being clued up and making the effort! You're obviously instilling good sense of initiative and concern about recycling, so you should feel happy about that 😀

woodhill · 13/08/2022 11:59

Or make a sandwich so you don't have the hassle and expense

I agree it's difficult to recycle the packaging

Original poster
Sweetforthesummer · 13/08/2022 11:59

Part of it is stuck to the card.

OP posts:
MargotMoon · 13/08/2022 11:59

I don't think we're supposed to recycle packaging that's been in contact with food, are we? So the supermarkets can put what they like on the box, it's mostly designed to make everyone feel like they are making a difference as far as I can tell

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