This internet thing seems like it could have real potential. You probably know that since you’re reading this article on the internet, but in case you need another example, here you go.
Whole Foods markets sells oranges. Not surprising considering the company is known for its fresh produce and wide range of organic grocery options. But it seems a recent promotion by Whole Foods did take at least one customer by surprise:
If only nature would find a way to cover these oranges so we didn't need to waste so much plastic on them. pic.twitter.com/00YECaHB4D
— Nathalie Gordon (@awlilnatty) March 3, 2016
Hilarious, yes, but there is a larger point in the sarcasm.
The abundant use of plastic is a serious concern. Discarded plastic is filling up landfills and literally creating pseudo landmasses in the oceans, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (though this 21 year old inventor has a plan to deal with that).
Experts estimate that if humanity continues its current plastic use-and-discard behaviors, there will be more pieces of plastic in the ocean than there are fish.
The Tweet about the plastic containers holding peeled oranges hit a nerve with the public and was liked and retweeted about 65,000 times.
It didn’t take long for Whole Foods to take notice of this online firestorm.
@awlilnatty Definitely our mistake. These have been pulled. We hear you, and we will leave them in their natural packaging: the peel.
— Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) March 3, 2016
An impressive, and fast response from the large grocer. Proving the internet is a real thing.
Though of course this being the internet not everyone immediately celebrated.
@WholeFoods@awlilnatty yeah but it's helpful for people who can't peel oranges.
— Spider Doof Warrior (@chromesthesia) March 3, 2016
@AlexCKaufman@awlilnatty I don't support the packaging, but I do understand the one argument for it.
— Monstrous (@MonstrousD3) March 3, 2016
After Whole Foods' announcement, the person that started this all, Nathalie Gordon, got thrust into the middle of a debate on disabilities.
My tweet about a @WholeFoods pre-peeled orange has absolutely nothing to do with disability @AnaMardoll, it's to do with plastic waste.
— Nathalie Gordon (@awlilnatty) March 4, 2016
Despite the raging debate (and some very aggressive attacks on Nathalie Gordon), it did seem that a – uh… small -- majority of internet users saw the plastic as more wasteful than helpful to people with disabilities.
Ha. @Independent have waded in with a poll on #OrangeGate, with hilarious results. https://t.co/q53FR8nGKKpic.twitter.com/JZD4Dxaj53
— Nathalie Gordon (@awlilnatty) March 4, 2016
Accessible options for people with disabilities are important. Saving the planet is important. With a wide range of options for accessible foods, it is a win that Whole Foods would stop using excessive packaging.
It looks like this internet activism thing is here to stay.