So what’s the big deal anyway? It’s convenient, doesn’t break, and is cheap. The problem is that it’s also toxic to make, use, and dispose of. As Homer Simpson would say, “Doh.” The explanation for why it’s so toxic can get really scientific. But hey, this isn’t a science blog so I’ll spare you, and myself, from the scientific explanations. Feel free to research that aspect on your own if you’re really interested in PCB, PAH, PCDD/F, and PVC. Generally speaking, the compounds that make up plastic are toxic and those chemicals can leach out of the plastic and into our food. The simplest explanation I found was from Wikipedia. (1) It also explains that the more plyable the plastic is the more toxic it can be. This is due to the level of toxins that are used to make that type of plastic. The Food and Drug Administration use to call the plastic that got into your food an “indirect food additive.” They are now calling it “Food Contact Substances.” What does the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer call it? A KNOWN HUMAN CARCINOGEN!
Hopefully at this point you are convinced that plastic isn’t good for you. What carcinogen is? But surely I’m not asking you to completely get rid of all the plastic in your lives, am I? What about your sandwich bags, milk jugs, cling wrap? Alas, do you really think I’d leave you without a reasonable solution? If you’re really on board to sticking it to the man, you could completely remove plastic from your life. Apparently it’s possible because one woman is doing it. I’ve attached her story below for those who are interested. (2) Now if you want to stick it to the man without completely upsetting your way of life, there’s another answer.
I knew from previous research I did that there are different levels of plastic and levels of toxicity. What I didn’t know was what those little numbers on the bottom of our plastic containers were. Interestingly enough, it tells you what level of toxicity it is. Unfortunately, it’s not a system where 1 is the best and 5 is the worst. The levels to AVOID are <1>, <3>, <6>, and <7>. Levels that have been deemed “Safer” are <2>, <4>, and <5>. See this link for more detailed information. (3).
ATTACK PLAN
• Buy and store food in glass containers whenever possible.
• Avoid levels <1>, <3>, <6>, and <7>.
• Never heat plastic. Includes putting it in dishwasher.
• Recycle.
EXECUTION
• Take inventory of the plastic in your kitchen and what level it is. Think of simple ways to switch to glass containers.
• Bring a cheat sheet with you when you get groceries. It will help remind you which plastics to avoid. Grab that glass jar of mayo instead of the plastic one.
• Use cloth bags when grocery shopping. They sell them now for your fruit and vegetables.
• Try to buy your food in bulk and then store them in glass when you get home.
• No more plastic water bottles. Use water filter and stainless steel bottles. My kids love theirs.
• Wrap your food in butcher paper, waxed paper, or cloth alternatives. A friend of mine provided me with two awesome websites that help you pack lunches and snacks without using plastic. (4)
MY KITCHEN
Take a peek into my kitchen and see what levels I found and what I plan to do about it.
• Coconut oil <1> = Purchase different producer that uses glass.
• Natural peanut butter <5> = Switch to glass jars when I get it home and then recycle container.
• Gallon milk jug <2> = I use to buy our milk in glass containers until our Metropolitan Market went out of businesses. Since it’s a level <2> I’m not going to change this habit.
• Kids apple juice <1> = Purchase from different producer that uses glass.
• Kids apple sauce <5> = Will switch to glass container while at home but still use the plastic ones for when we travel since it’s a level <5>.
• Raisins <7> = Buy in bulk or purchase smaller cardboard containers.
• Cheese. No number listed. This one is what perplexed me the most. Come to find out, wrapping your cheese with cling wrap is a double wammy. Not only does it leach toxins into the cheese, but it’s also not good for the taste. I learned this from some cheese connoisseur blogs. One science article recommended cutting away the cheese that touched the plastic, wrap it in wax paper, then put in a stronger level plastic container.(5) The cheese connoisseur’s seem to believe that you only need to wrap it in wax paper. The technique is shown at this website. http://www.chow.com/stories/10878
By reducing our use of plastics, we can decrease the amount of pollution that is contaminating the air we breath, the water we drink, and most importantly, the food we eat. Let’s get those toxins out of our body. So go ahead, stick it to the man!
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic#Toxicity
(2) http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/06/01/gupta.life.without.plastic.cnn?iref=allsearch
(3) http://healthychild.org/5steps/5_steps_5/?gclid=COWS3Kzd-KICFQQtawodsElQig
(4) http://www.kidskonserve.com/ and http://www.etsy.com/shop/RosyUndPosy?section_id=6024786
(5) http://www.aerias.org/DesktopModules/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleId=60
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