Plastic not so fantastic

We have been trying to reduce the amount of plastic in our home for a number of years.

The first thing to get tossed were all plastic dishes used for heating in the microwave, and now we use all pyrex (glass dishes) which can be chucked in the dishwasher and are fine for the freezer too. They have a plastic seal, which is not so bad, as it never touches the food, and Michael has no worries taking one of these to work with leftovers in, to heat in the microwave.

Next to go were all the plastic drink bottles, and now we have 6 stainless steel Klean Kanteens which are working really well.


What did people use for food storage before plastic was around? How cool are these retro pyrex fridge storage containers? I'd love to get something like this for the fridge.


We still do have some plastic food containers in the cupboard which I am slowly replacing with glass, stainless steel, ceramic and wooden containers and it seems that we are slowly seeing more choice for plastic alternatives becoming available in Australia (although we still have a long way to go).

Instead of plastic bags at the supermarket, the main option up until recently has been to have a heap of great, huge green bags in the back of your car which really annoyed me, and I would always forget to bring them into the shop with me.

We now have this nifty little pack of 5 Envirosax that is small enough to fit in my handbag, and yet when you open the bags up, they are very big and very strong so at last I am able to stop bring plastic bags home with me after every shopping trip!

For those who don't want to steer away from plastic altogether, you can make sure that at least the plastics you are using for food storage and cooking are BPA-free.

If you are unaware of the dangers of plastics in food uses, there is an excellent printout which outlines the main problems for you.

http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083

It is 4 pages long and is definitely worth a read, but here is the general gist...

The main problem is that the 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 causing a range of problems, including stimulating cancer cells, ovarian dysfunction, early onset of puberty, decreased fertility, and decreased testosterone.

The worst culprits are those with the recycle symbols 3, 6 and 7.

7 is "other" and is usually polycarbonate which is used in most plastic baby bottles, large "cooler" water bottles, “sport” water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic “sippy” cups and some clear plastic cutlery.

Polycarbonate contains BPA which exposure to may bring about:

• Early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females
• Changes in gender-specific behavior
• Changes in hormones, including decreased testosterone
• Increased prostate size
• Decreased sperm production
• Altered immune function
• Behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior.

3 is DEHA which is found in PVC clingwrap, peanut butter jars, cooking oil bottles and some plastic squeeze bottles. It can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen, affecting the liver.

6 is Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery. Styrene can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures, but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies.

Most important things you can do right now:

• Stop using plastic containers in the microwave to reheat food.

• Avoid clingwraps against food, especially in the microwave (use waxed paper or paper towel to cover food).

• Use alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible.
  

• Use alternatives to polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and “sippy” cups.

• Avoid plastic water bottles unless you are travelling and have no alternative. Don't reuse single use plastic water bottles.

• Avoid PVC plastic products such as plastic containers, toys and building products.

Some more great links to browse:

http://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/cart/childrenprod.htm
http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/02/21/bpa-free-feeding-gear-for-kids
http://www.ecodepot.com.au/product.php?productid=16151&cat=248&page=1
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=plastic-not-fantastic-with-bisphenol-a