Use plastics safely (if you must)
October 30, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
Plastics are a big issue in green living. We know they’re made with non-renewable resources. We know that making plastic products creates pollution. We know that many plastics have been found to have BPA, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals. We know that a ton of plastic ends up in landfills.
Yet Americans just keep right on using it. It’s not a big shock. Plastic is cheap, easily portable and lightweight, can be waterproof, and it’s used for flipping everything – toys, dishes, cleaner containers, shampoo bottles, baggies, and so on. You can’t escape. Well, actually you can escape. Fake Plastic Fish is just one blog among many who discusses the quest for a plastic free life. In fact, I talk about it all the time. You can use…
- Cloth shopping bags over plastic.
- Stainless steel water bottles.
- Glass and other dishes over plastic.
- Cloth snack baggies.
- Foil or a food container not plastic wrap.
- Wooden toys, cloth toys, and so on.
You can, even in this day and age use far less plastic if you try. However, there are some who won’t get on board with a plastic free life so I’m offering up these safety tips. Because if you’re gonna use plastics, you may as well use them safely.
Use the safest plastics for babies and young children. Little ones gather toxins and chemicals at a more alarming rate than fully developed adults. If you use plastics for your baby choose safe BPA-free, toxin free options. That goes for feeding gear, toys, and other plastics your baby may get his hands on.
Don’t microwave plastics or otherwise heat them up. The FDA has guidelines about plastics that are kitchen safe vs. not, and while they note that phthalates are only released from the softer plastics, why risk it. This means hand washing your plastics too – because heat from dishwashers releases chemicals as well.
Buy safer food storage plastics that are BPA free.
Lastly, as an earth safety issue reuse and recycle your plastics wisely. If you’re taking on using them, then be a responsible plastic consumer.
[image via stock.xchng]
