15 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Perils of Plastics
1. Buy and store food in glass, ceramic or metal containers, as most plastics have been reported to leak chemicals into food.
2. Use cloth grocery bags and reusable produce and bulk food containers. Reducing our use of plastic reduces the pollution that ends up contaminating the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
3. Choose fresh, frozen and dried foods over those that are canned. (Most metal cans are lined with a plastic resin that contains the hormone disruptor, BPA.)
4. Purchase toys made from natural materials. The safest toys are those made from solid woods with non-toxic finishes and natural textiles like organic cotton or wool.
5. Avoid toys and teethers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. These plastics contain particularly harmful chemicals. If you do choose to buy plastic products, look for those labeled “phthalate-free” and “BPA-free.”
6. Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, test your tap water and use an appropriate water filter if necessary. Use a stainless steel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated on the go.
7. Avoid vinyl and fake leather (PVC) products. PVC is known as the “poison plastic” because it release extremely harmful chemicals during its manufacture and incineration (it’s not recycled.) It also has many risky additives like lead, cadmium, and phthalates that leach out.
8. Look for the recycling code (#1-7) on plastic products. If unlabelled, call the manufacturer to ask about the plastic used. Buy the least toxic (#1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP). Try to avoid #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 polycarbonate.
9. Choose the least-packaged option; for instance, buy in bulk. Again, reducing our use of plastic, reduces pollution.
10. Recycle or discard plastic bottles and food storage containers that are worn, scratched, or cannot be identified. Scratches become breeding grounds for bacteria and potential gateways for leaching. You can extend the life of your plastics by washing them by hand with a mild soap.
11. Do not heat plastics, especially if they contain fatty foods. Heating fatty food in plastics can cause greater leaching.
12. Microwave in glass or ceramic only. Do not use plastic wraps.
13. Do not use plastic cutlery and dinnerware. Dish up food on compostable or reusable dishware. Check out The Biodegradable Store, Earthshell, or Royal Chinet.
14. If using plastic storage containers, make sure hot food items have cooled before placing them in the container. And keep in mind that fatty and acidic foods promote leaching, so you may want to, at the very least, choose glass for those types of foods.
15. Try to find natural materials when you are buying decorations, furnishings, and other household goods.
