Costco Is Changing Its Rotisserie Chicken—Not All Fans Are Happy

This is when your local store will change the packaging, according to Costco employees.

Over a year ago, Canadians took to Reddit to debate a change at their Costco stores: the rotisserie chicken is now sold in a plastic bag instead of a rigid plastic container. This is a big change for the popular item that has been packaged in the same style of container since it debuted in 2009. Not all Costco's rotisserie chicken fans are happy about the new packaging.

For customers in the U.S., the change from plastic containers to bags is coming soon—some store locations have already made the switch. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Costco Is Changing the Packaging for Its Rotisserie Chicken

Costco’s Chief Executive Ron Vachris reported that in 2023 the company sold over 137 million rotisserie chickens globally. That’s a staggering number of ready-made meals for busy folks who need help getting dinner on a table quickly and on a budget, but there’s also a lot of single-use plastic going to landfills.

In many parts of the country, only certain plastic containers are reliably recyclable. Most food containers, including the ones that hold Costco's rotisserie chicken, are not recyclable.

By changing the packaging of one of its most popular products, Costco aims to cut down on the amount of plastic waste. The new bags are made of plastic, are not recyclable, and therefore do not eliminate the need for plastic; however, they use 75% less plastic than the rigid containers. The company estimates this will save over 17 million pounds of plastic per year.

Costco has sustainability goals to reduce the amount of plastic packaging for its Kirkland products, the company's private label brand. For example, in 2023 Costco removed the inner plastic wraps on the Kirkland paper towels, which reduced plastic use by nine million pounds.

What This Change Means for Super Fans of Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken

The new bags are made of sturdy BPA-free and food-safe plastic. They are resealable with a zip closer, have a handle for carrying, and are microwave-safe. The bags are not oven-safe.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the bags, according to customers who have purchased Costco's rotisserie chicken in a bag.

Why the bags are better: The bags are easier to carry, take up less space to store in the fridge and freezer, and are less likely to tip over and cause the juices to spill. Customers have not noticed a change in the flavor and quality of chicken sold in plastic bags.

Common complaints from customers: The bags make it more difficult for customers to see the whole chicken inside and pick out the best—this is arguably half the fun of buying a Costco rotisserie chicken. Also, the bags are not vented, trapping condensation inside and making the skin and bottom of the chicken soggy. Some customers dislike that the handle and zip closure get greasy when pulling the chicken out of the bag.

When Will Your Local Costco Make the Switch?

Four Costco employees who work at stores in Virginia, California, and New Jersey spoke to me under the condition of anonymity. They shared that the change to plastic bags will come as early as April 2024. As soon as a store's current stock of rigid containers runs out, it will switch to bags—certain locations, like one in Issaquah, Washington, have already switched to bags. None of the employees expect that the price of the chicken will change due to the new packaging.

Costco did not reply to a request for comment regarding the timing of this roll-out and the estimated impact this change will have on sustainability and the price of the rotisserie chicken.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.