Guidelines and alternatives for plastic
Contributed by Cheryl Durr Patry
Plastic is a double-edged sword in many ways, because it can represent a safer, durable and lightweight material for many items - toddler and babies' products, medical and sports equipment, all sorts of electronics, and the list goes on and on. In the same breath, it can wreak havoc on our bodies (by negatively affecting our reproductive, neurological and endocrine system) and the environment...yikes, it never biodegrades, creates toxic pollution and has destroyed wildlife.
So what plastics are good and what are bad and what are safer alternatives? Let's face it, life is busy and you want to do the right thing, but some days it is just about survival with schedules and time constraints. So let's make it easy and provide you with credible resources about plastics and safer alternatives to reference.
First, what are the risks?
Health risks: Use of plastics in cooking and food storage can carry health risks, especially when hormone-disrupting chemicals from some plastics leach into foods and beverages. Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals.
Environmental problems: Most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable and mostly imported resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary waste. Although plastic is lightweight, it is bulky, so it takes up a large volume of landfill space.
Plastic labels: what is safe and what is not safe
Shopping Tips
Plastics are classified by their "resin identification code"-a number from #1 to #7 that represents a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you'll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.
Not all containers are labeled and a recycling symbol on a product doesn't mean it's recyclable. Commonly, only #1 and #2 with narrow necks are recyclable, but some communities recycle other plastics with narrow necks. Check with your local municipality or waste disposal company.
Choose smart plastics (see icons below) and avoid putting them in the microwave (where they can release dangerous chemicals when heated) or the dishwasher (where they can degrade in the heat and excessive moisture).
Safer Choices:
Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated.
#1 PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner and peanut butter containers.
#2 HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles and some plastic bags.
#4 LDPE: Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps and some bottles.
#5 PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles.
Plastics to Avoid:
Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups.
#3 PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles. Used frequently in cling wraps for meat, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor.
#6 PS: Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery. Polystyrene-foam cups and clear plastic take-out containers can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food.
#7 Other: Usually polycarbonate (BPA or Bisphenol-A), which has been associated with endocrine disruption, sterility, infertility, early onset puberty, obesity and diabetes. This plastic is used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, "sport" water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic "sippy" cups and some clear plastic cutlery. New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.
Some helpful tips
- Avoid storing fatty foods, such as meat and cheese, in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
- Hand-wash reusable containers gently with a nonabrasive soap; dishwashers and harsh detergents can scratch plastic, making hospitable homes for bacteria.
- A "microwave-safe" or "microwavable" label on a plastic container only means that it shouldn't melt, crack or fall apart when used in the microwave. The label is no guarantee that containers don't leach chemicals into foods when heated. Use glass or ceramic containers instead.
Alternatives to plastic and reference websites
Now what do we do with all this information, and what steps can we take? First significant steps can be to reduce water bottles and plastic bags.
Americans will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill. -- Container Recycling Institute
So... you can start by using reusable stainless steel water bottles. Stainless steel bottles do not require any type of internal plastic-based coating, unlike aluminum bottles. A highly recommended water bottle is made by Klean Kanteen®. This water bottle is made from high quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel - a metal superior in both strength and safety that contains no harmful chemicals or toxins.
Did you know according to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually? An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags. Reusable sandwich bags such as the SnackTAXI are an ideal replacement to plastic bags. These bags are comprised of 100% cotton on the outside, and are lined with waterproof nylon with a polyurethane coating. Extensive testing shows that the nylon is free of heavy metals (including lead), phthalates, PBBs, and PBDEs. SnackTAXIs are available through Sustainable Life Solutions with many fun designs.
Other great websites to reference for more options and alternatives to check out:
- PVC: The Poison Plastics
- Pass up the poison plastic from the Healthy Child Healthy World
Cheryl Durr Patry is a founding Steering Committee member of the non-profit organization Medfield Green, and a Governing Board member at Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.
