Idiots will throw this in the trash. Businesses will as well.
I watch a couple of dude’s at Lowe’s uncapping and draining several hundred bottles of Powerade because they were past expiration. Working retail really got me educated in all the waste in our system. (Someone will scream, “caPiTaLisM!”. No, it’s a legal/liability thing. And it’s dumb.)
Purchase a thing. Any thing. See all the plastic you brought home? There was 2-3x that much in delivering it to you before you took it off the shelf.
Been wanting to start a comm on “stop buying shit, here are alternatives”. Taking votes for names. I could spend a week posting things I’ve actually done.
EDIT: Should note: Trashing goods = tax write off. That’s a money saver vs. “donated” or “sold at discount”. Yes, it’s cheaper to throw shit away than to sell, even at a deep discount.
Hilariously best by dates aren’t actually enforced by any agency or department so I don’t believe anyone is legally obligated to discard it. The dates are a best guess by manufacturers, the determination if something is actually spoiled is up to the end user.
It’s the difference between “I bought frozen peas that expire in 6 months and they’re all freezer burned - I want a refund!” And “the frozen peas I forgot about that expired 2 years ago are freezer burned - I want a refund!” One of them is more likely to get their money back than the other.
Also the quality of certain canned foods deteriorates after a time. Some things get mushy or the color changes weirdly that make it unappetizing, so dates can be a good reference. That said, I’ve been utilizing food banks for the last 25+ years. Expiration dates don’t scare me, but they do inform.
But who determines if it’s expired? Obviously if they’re a resteraunt they have their own guidelines in order to adhere to the heath department, but what happens to goods with no best by date? The most I could see happening to an establishment is the being compelled to void the transaction or replace the item under some kind of anti scam ordinance.
My understanding is that there is no actual reason to think companies could be sued or get in legal trouble for donating expired goods, despite the common misconception otherwise.
It is abundantly clear that the majority US doesn’t want that, but want a corporate hellscape that makes sure the next generations suffer until finally our species end in a very embarrassing manner with two rich guys celebrating victory over all other humans before succumbing.
Many people here have posted the link to Climate Town’s video on expiration dates, but your comment also brings into focus a video of theirs about consumer waste. Actually he’s probably made a few on that subject, but the one that came to mind was about the circle of buying and returning products (eg. Amazon returns), and what really happens. Good lord, the waste.
It’s a legal thing that makes someone liable for it because they live in a capitalist society… Which is dumb. The entire economic chain is built by and for capitalism. For some people to capitalise and excrete on the planet. Let people scream capitalism in anger if they want. It has killed more than all religions and posing now as a threat to the continued existence of humanity. I don’t think it deserves any kind of slack
It’s so stupid that they waste it like that. I can only assume that somebody didn’t want to be bothered with donating it to a food bank. Seriously though, the amount of time it would take to uncap and pour all that out as opposed to making a couple phone calls. SMH
It’s not even their product if it works the same everywhere as it does around me. Home depot stores are part of bottle distribution routes and a sales person or merchandiser will handle the stock.
That’s a money saver vs. “donated” or “sold at discount”.
Food banks that I’m familiar with won’t distribute expired food because it’s a liability. Of course there is a big difference between “expired” salt and meat, but it’s safer for them to have a blanket policy than count on the workers’ judgement.
Idiots will throw this in the trash. Businesses will as well.
I watch a couple of dude’s at Lowe’s uncapping and draining several hundred bottles of Powerade because they were past expiration. Working retail really got me educated in all the waste in our system. (Someone will scream, “caPiTaLisM!”. No, it’s a legal/liability thing. And it’s dumb.)
Purchase a thing. Any thing. See all the plastic you brought home? There was 2-3x that much in delivering it to you before you took it off the shelf.
Been wanting to start a comm on “stop buying shit, here are alternatives”. Taking votes for names. I could spend a week posting things I’ve actually done.
EDIT: Should note: Trashing goods = tax write off. That’s a money saver vs. “donated” or “sold at discount”. Yes, it’s cheaper to throw shit away than to sell, even at a deep discount.
Hilariously best by dates aren’t actually enforced by any agency or department so I don’t believe anyone is legally obligated to discard it. The dates are a best guess by manufacturers, the determination if something is actually spoiled is up to the end user.
If anything it’s more of a quality control thing.
It’s the difference between “I bought frozen peas that expire in 6 months and they’re all freezer burned - I want a refund!” And “the frozen peas I forgot about that expired 2 years ago are freezer burned - I want a refund!” One of them is more likely to get their money back than the other.
Also the quality of certain canned foods deteriorates after a time. Some things get mushy or the color changes weirdly that make it unappetizing, so dates can be a good reference. That said, I’ve been utilizing food banks for the last 25+ years. Expiration dates don’t scare me, but they do inform.
It could be a liability thing though. An organization that sells expired product might be in for bigger judgements if something does happen.
But who determines if it’s expired? Obviously if they’re a resteraunt they have their own guidelines in order to adhere to the heath department, but what happens to goods with no best by date? The most I could see happening to an establishment is the being compelled to void the transaction or replace the item under some kind of anti scam ordinance.
I vote for “Stop Buying Shit”; double meaning of don’t buy shitty things, and alternative things you can use instead of buying… shit.
Buy it for life® ?
https://youtu.be/4GDLaYrMCFo
My understanding is that there is no actual reason to think companies could be sued or get in legal trouble for donating expired goods, despite the common misconception otherwise.
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You’d also be committing something nice for hungry people. Depends on what you want to commit to honestly
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It is abundantly clear that the majority US doesn’t want that, but want a corporate hellscape that makes sure the next generations suffer until finally our species end in a very embarrassing manner with two rich guys celebrating victory over all other humans before succumbing.
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Many people here have posted the link to Climate Town’s video on expiration dates, but your comment also brings into focus a video of theirs about consumer waste. Actually he’s probably made a few on that subject, but the one that came to mind was about the circle of buying and returning products (eg. Amazon returns), and what really happens. Good lord, the waste.
One of the communities I miss from reddit is r/ZeroWaste
We got you covered: !zerowaste@slrpnk.net
It’s a legal thing that makes someone liable for it because they live in a capitalist society… Which is dumb. The entire economic chain is built by and for capitalism. For some people to capitalise and excrete on the planet. Let people scream capitalism in anger if they want. It has killed more than all religions and posing now as a threat to the continued existence of humanity. I don’t think it deserves any kind of slack
Acting like capitalism is no part of this and what drives the “legal thing” is a bit naive.
It’s so stupid that they waste it like that. I can only assume that somebody didn’t want to be bothered with donating it to a food bank. Seriously though, the amount of time it would take to uncap and pour all that out as opposed to making a couple phone calls. SMH
A lot of managers would rather dump the product than let someone benefit from it for free.
It’s not even their product if it works the same everywhere as it does around me. Home depot stores are part of bottle distribution routes and a sales person or merchandiser will handle the stock.
Liquids in plastic bottles go bad after a while due to the plastic leeching. This was probably the right call.
Of course it’s capitalism. Companies do dumb shit to avoid getting sued
edit: my bad. Actually, these companies are being overly cautious because they care about you. LOL
Got any examples on the comm idea? You made me curious
Was only looking for a good name for the comm. I can go from there. :)
Food banks that I’m familiar with won’t distribute expired food because it’s a liability. Of course there is a big difference between “expired” salt and meat, but it’s safer for them to have a blanket policy than count on the workers’ judgement.