Costco Rotisserie Chicken Packaging Faces Backlash

Costco Rotisserie Chicken packaging has stirred up a storm among loyal customers, who are not pleased with the change from plastic clamshell containers to plastic food service bags. This environmentally motivated move, aimed at reducing plastic waste, began rolling out across the United States in March 2024, as reported by Consumer Reports.

In its June 2024 edition of Costco Connections magazine, the retail giant highlighted that the shift to bags is expected to save a staggering 17 million pounds of plastic annually. Additionally, the new packaging occupies less space during transportation, allowing Costco to remove 1,000 freight trucks from the road each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 4,000 metric tons.

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, users have shared photos and anecdotes detailing their negative experiences with the new packaging. Business writer Trung Phan lamented the quality of the bags, describing them as leak-prone and less conducive for choosing high-quality chickens.

Moreover, some customers have pointed out that the new bags are not recyclable in their areas, unlike the old clamshell containers that were widely accepted for recycling. This has sparked debates about the overall environmental impact of the packaging switch, with concerns raised about potential increases in landfill waste.

Despite the possible environmental benefits, many Costco shoppers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the change. Complaints range from concerns about leaky bags that make transporting the chickens messy to criticisms about the bags being less suitable for storing leftovers compared to the previous clamshell design.

Regardless of the backlash, Costco’s rotisserie chickens remain a staple item in its stores, consistently priced at $4.99 across all locations for decades. The affordability and quality of these chickens have contributed to their immense popularity, with sales reaching 137 million units in 2023, marking a substantial increase from previous years.