Avocado grower and distributor Villita Avocados Inc. is now offering mesh produce bags that are 100% compostable.
“We will be the first avocado company to come out with a 100% compostable, 100% plastic-free avocado bag in North America,” Rob Ybarra, executive vice president, said in a news release.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. uses over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks, and wraps annually, but only 8.7% of total plastics are recycled, the release said.
“Our company’s philosophy is to create a better company for a better environment,” Ybarra said. “Our CEO, Alfredo Rodriguez, had a vision. He really loves the environment. Every time he speaks, it’s all about reduce, reuse and recycle. He’s been the biggest proponent about doing this as a company. We want Villita to be the most sustainable company in the industry.”
Villita Avocados said it is hopeful other produce companies will follow its lead by being more environmentally conscious and steer away from using plastic.
“It’s a big problem. We are not environmentally friendly as an industry,” Ybarra said. “It really takes a disruptive force, in this case, Alfredo and his family, to do our part to help protect the environment. We hope other companies will follow suit.”
Villita Avocados and its new bags will soon be in select locations throughout Texas and New Jersey at Acme Mid Atlantic Division of Albertsons Cos., according to the release.
