You may remember the news stories in the past two years about the harmful effects of using and reusing certain plastics such as water bottles and some plastic baby bottles. Since then manufacturers and new companies have been offering alternatives to plastic or using different types of plastic but there is still a lot to keep in mind as a consumer.
A little history: The first plastics were developed in the 1860′s and in the 1930′s the petroleum industry accidently discovered polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride (used in food wrap), and polyethylene which opened up many more uses for plastics. Popularity grew and by 1976 plastic became the most widely used material.
Unfortunately, many environmental problems stemmed from that such as toxic emissions from manufacturing plastic resin. Producing a 16 ounce plastic (PET: i.e. soda bottles) bottle generates over 100 times the toxic emissions to air and water than making the same bottle out of glass. Not good. That’s not even taking into consideration the fact that not all types of plastics are recyclable therefore contribute to waste – only 25% of plastic products/containers made get recycled, that plastic comes from a non-renewable material – petroleum extracted from fossil fuels which take millions of years to form, and that once the plastics are made they will never actually go away…
Toxins that are found in plastics tend to linger in the environment because plastic polymers do not biodegrade. They instead turn to dust that gets washed into our waters and actually absorb other toxins like from pesticides. Fish consume these toxins, humans consume the fish and therefore consume the toxins too. Same goes for drinking water. If you’re unable to make a switch to purchase products made with glass, aluminum, or cardboard instead of plastic, here is a guide of what plastics to look for and what to avoid based on the number (the number indicates which type of plastic resin was used):
#1 = PET or PETE – polyethylene terephtalate – ex) soda bottles, peanut butter jars, microwaveable trays. readily recyclable! try to find #1′s if buying plastic products.
#2 = HDPE – high density polyethylene – ex) trash bags, grocery store bags, cereal box liners, and bottles for mil, water, detergent, motor oil, shampoo. readily recyclable! try to find #2′s as well if buying plastic products.
#3 = PVC – polyvinyl chloride – ex) clear food packaging, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, plumbing pipe. avoid liquids bottled in #3 as this type is dangerous to your health and the environment.
#4 = LDPE – low density polyethylene – ex) shrink wrap, condiment squeeze bottles, toys
#5 = PP – polypropylene – ex) syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers, medicine bottles
#6 = PS – polystyrene – ex) coffee cups, clamshell take-out containers, egg cartons, meat trays
#7 = other – ex) medical storage containers, reusable water bottles, oven baking bags
The good news for plastics: We will see even more wide spread use of the corn-based biodegradable material polylactic acid (PLA) for bulk food packaging and disposable drink receptacles. PLA doesn’t seem to to give off toxic chemicals as it biodegrades and they use 50 percent less fossil fuel than regular plastics to produce and are not toxic to burn. They can’t be used for hot beverages since they’ll melt but some companies are starting to make hot beverage cups made entirely of corn.
Be wise with your purchase decisions and avoid using plastics around the house for storage. Try glass, ceramic, stoneware, aluminum (not for salty or acidic foods), and stainless steel. Personally, I love the look of glass jars with aluminum lids to store my bulk dry goods, leftovers, pet food, etc. I feel good about that choice from an environmental point of view and they help keep me organized.
(Reference: Green Guide)
N.Parkington
Natalie lives in San Diego, California and enjoys a healthy organic vegetarian lifestyle (with chocolate as the exception...). She does what she can for the environment and is constantly making adjustments to become greener in all...
Plastics are changing, there are plastics being developed which are more environmentally friendly. We need plastics, and we need plastics that aren’t harmful for us and future generations. There are basically three types of “green” plastics which are coming to market, compostable, degradable, and biodegradable. By the way, the plastic you refered to that tried starch and failed was invented by the same person that invented PLA.
There is a lot of confusion about plastic bottles and which is compostable, biodegradable, and degradable. PLA plastics are compostable…in a commercial composting facility. Commercial composting facilities are far and few between and that means most PLA plastics will end up in a landfill. PLA plastics won’t biodegrade in a landfill.
The other two plastics current used for water bottles are both mad from PET plastic one is biodegradable the other is oxo-degradable. The ENSO bottle with EcoPure, is a biodegradable plastic bottle that uses organic compounds to promote biodegradation though microbial digestion only when the biodegradable bottle is placed in a highly active microbial environment. When the ENSO bottle biodegrades it produces biogases and humus. Biogases can be collected to produce clean energy. The ENSO bottle has the same physical properties as standard PET and does not fragment, degrade or break down from environmental conditions such as UV, moisture and oxygen.
The other PET plastic bottle current available on the market is made from Oxo-Degradable plastic. It is a PET plastic with an additive that causes it to degrade into smaller and smaller pieces. The plastic doesn’t go away; it just gets too small for us to see.
How does it work?
Max
http://www.ensobottles.com
“Bottles for a Healthier earth”
Ban The Water Bottle?
By Max
I just finished reading a blog that was written in Asia. The site had developed quite a heated argument regarding banning plastic water bottles. On one side the arguments were being made; (1) Why pay for something that is free? (2) Plastic bottles can cause you cancer. (3) Plastic bottles are polluting the earth. The arguments went on an on, so I thought I’d address some of them:
(1) Why pay for something that is free? Well, most of our tap water really isn’t free, it’s less expensive then buying it in a plastic bottle. I find it a bit curious though, that suddenly those using this argument are suddenly so interested in how each of us decide to spend our money. It is our money after all and if we decide we want to purchase a healthy, portable beverage, then it should be our choice. Right now bottled water is less expensive then soft drinks…which are less health and made mostly from water.
(2) Plastic bottles can cause you cancer. There are some types of plastic that do leach harmful chemicals. The type of plastic that is used to produce most water/soft drinks are made from PET plastic. PET plastic does not leach harmful chemicals. PET is a very durable and hard plastic that has made it ideal for holding liquids. The Problem is that PET plastic is so hard and durable it just doesn’t go away.
(3) Plastic bottles are polluting the earth. Plastic pollution is a problem, not just bottle plastic but all types of plastic. I heard it said that generations from now, historians will refer to our time as the “Plastic Ages.” I just came back from an unnamed super store, you know, the kind that sells everything from food, clothing, house goods to electronics. I was astonished to see that almost every item, and I mean every item, was made from or contained plastic…..we do indeed, live in the “Plastics Ages!”
As I was walking through the store on my plastic shoes, wearing plastic shorts and shirt, I started thinking of what life would be without them? I came to the conclusion that civilization as we know it would come to a stop if plastics were to suddenly vanish.
Since becoming involved with ENSO Bottles, I’ve learned that plastics don’t have to be a necessary evil. I’ve learned that plastics can be designed to be biodegradable and compostable. I’ve also learned that we need to do a better job of recycling plastics so that we get the maximum use from plastic resources before they are composted or biodegraded.
Here’s my idea’s on how we can have our plastic and a healthy environment.
. Only allow plastics that are biodegradable or compostable. Any future plastic items should be designed to meet a true cradle to cradle design.
. Improve recycling. I’m not talking about media spin, I’m talking about calling on the recycling industry to develop programs that will recycle all plastics. The reason that only 20-30 percent of 150 billion bottles are recycled each year is in my opinion due to the recycling industry wanting to “cherry pick” the plastics they capture for recycling. Currently PET has the most recycling value and the easiest thing for recyclers to capture is plastic bottles, almost anything else made of PET goes into the landfill.
To me it’s simple….make plastics that provide utility, recycle all plastics, and when the useful life of a plastic is over, it should be able to return to the earth as a harmless substance.
It can be done, new plastics are being developed. When we consumers demand that our plastics be safe and we only purchase safe plastics……..industry will listen.
Max
http://www.ensobottles.com
“Bottles for a Healthier Earth”
I dont’ think so that plastic is detrimental to health. Thank you so much for this valuable post as I’m aware of what plastics should I choose, especially for drinking water plastic bottles.
I dont’ think so that plastic is detrimental to health. Thank you so much for this valuable post as I’m aware of what plastics should I choose, especially for drinking water plastic bottles.
Great information in this article! I appreciate the break-down of the different types of plastics. What is to be done about the types of plastics that are not ”readily recyclable”? Should we avoid purchasing such items altogether? Can we just throw the readily recyclable plastics in our big blue recycle bins (for those fortunate enough to have curb-side recycling)?
Responses to Megan Cohen
Thanks, Megan! I did a follow-up to this piece and split it into 2 posts on 2/8 and 2/9. Hope you find them useful.