Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – This week, avocado grower and distributor Villita Avocados, Inc. will make history in the produce industry when it begins fulfilling orders utilizing specially- made 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,” exclaimed Rob Ybarra, Executive Vice- President. “This Wednesday, January 10th, at 9 am, in Jersey City, New Jersey, we will be at a major retailer with the world’s first 100% plastic-free avocado bag.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US uses over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks, and wraps annually, but only 8.7% of total plastics are recycled.
“Our company’s philosophy is to create a better company for a better environment,” said Ybarra. “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 is hopeful other produce companies will follow their lead by being more environmentally conscious and steer away from using plastic.
“It’s a big problem. We are not an 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 their new bags will soon be in select locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma and Albertson’s/Safeway stores in New York and New Jersey
