You can’t go far without seeing some form of plastic - food storage containers, toys, computers. Plastics can be a wonderful thing. They are virtually indestructible and cheap. But that is part of the problem. Here are four things to consider next time you reach for something plastic.
- Plastic never goes away! Yes they can be recycled. However, this is only possible a few times. Each time plastics are recycled, they are degraded. Eventually, recycling is no longer possible and they must get thrown away. In a landfill, it can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Even then, plastics actually photo degrade which releases toxins into the soil, air, and water. Ironic that plastics are long lasting, yet they are mostly used for disposable items like water bottles and ziptop baggies.
- Plastic pollutes the oceans. Lots of plastic makes it way to the oceans (heard of the Pacific Garbage Patch?). In the oceans, plastic bags can strangle animals or they mistake plastic bits for food. Not such a healthy meal for them. Or us! Guess who is eating those fish?
- Plastic contains toxic chemicals. Plastics contain 2 chemicals that are of particular interest – bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals can leach into foods where they are then ingested. Both of these chemicals mimic estrogen and can disrupt our own hormones. Effects of exposure to these hormone disruptors include immune dysfunction, metabolic disorders (diabetes) and reproductive problems. Infants and small children are most vulnerable to BPA.
- Plastics are made from oil. The same oil that is used to produce gasoline. Oil, as we know, is not going to last indefinitely. It is estimated that 10% of the world’s oil supply is used for creating plastics.
With the summer fast approaching, disposable plastic item use will be on the rise. Think about where you use plastics and how you can avoid them. Next week’s column will focus on alternatives.
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