Category Archives: Plastic and the inside of cans The Dangers

Plastic…Part 9…Biodegradable and Compostable bags?

Welcome to this weeks post on plastic…It is week 9 already and so much info on plastic it is unreal…

coloured plastic bags blowing in the wind

Photo credit: European Parliament on Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND

I am trying really hard to dispense with plastic in the home and I have gone a good way forward to doing that but some things cause for radical changes for example ” The freezer” I freeze fruit, some meat and if I make extra of a dish then I freeze in portions …Therein lies the problem for me…

Do I use biodegradable bags or compostable bags?

How can we be sure biodegradable bags are really eco-friendly? Are they the same as degradable plastic bags?

There are independent certification schemes you can look out for that give you peace of mind about the claims being made. But it means that you must do your research…

We will start with your kitchen bin…

Of course, the most eco-friendly answer is don’t line your bin…Which means that you must separate all your compostables,. recyclables and general waste…Of course, if you recycle and compost as much as you can you will find that you will have less waste.

If you must line your bin then check you are using a certified biodegradable or certified compostable bag instead of traditional plastic bags ( no more) using any plastic bags which you bring your shopping home in unless they are certified or those labelled degradable.

So you have checked your bags out and lined your bin…That’s alright then …Isn’t it? No!

Why? Because if you are filling those bags with general/household waste then once it gets to the landfill site the bag will break down or not according to what rubbish is inside the bag so all your efforts checking that your bags are certified will have gone to waste…If you are using biodegradable and compostable bags to contain general waste or household rubbish, be mindful of the fact that once it is all sent to landfill, the bag will behave like the rubbish it is containing. In a landfill site, biodegradable and compostable bags will break down a lot more slowly than they would in your home composting system, and they will break down without oxygen, producing methane, a greenhouse gas much more dangerous than carbon dioxide.

Biodegradable plastic bags…

Quite simply, something is biodegradable when living things, for example, fungi or bacteria, can break it down. Biodegradable bags are made from natural plant-based materials like corn and wheat starch rather than petroleum. However, when it comes to this kind of plastic, there are certain conditions required for the bag to begin to break down and biodegrade.

Firstly, temperatures need to reach 50 degrees Celsius. Secondly, the bag needs to be exposed to UV light. In an oceanic environment, this is highly unlikely to happen. Plus, as I have stated above if biodegradable bags are sent to landfill, they break down without oxygen to produce methane, a greenhouse gas far more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Degradable plastic bags…

Degradable items, unlike Biodegradable bags, are not broken down by living organisms so cannot be classed as biodegradable or compostable. Instead, the bags contain chemical additives used in the production of the plastic which allows the bag to break down quicker than a standard plastic bag usually would.

Which means bags advertised as degradable’ are definitely not beneficial, and can even be worse for the environment! Degradable bags that disintegrate just become tinier and tinier pieces of microplastic quicker, which as we know poses serious threats to marine life.

Microplastics enter the food chain lower down, getting eaten by smaller species and then continuing to make their way up the food chain as these smaller species are consumed. A situation which is highlighted very frequently in the news most recently the victims being gray whales.

Compostable plastic bags…

The word ‘compostable’ is incredibly misleading for the average consumer. You’d think a bag labelled as compostable would mean you could throw it in your backyard compost alongside your fruit and veggie scraps, right? Wrong. Compostable bags biodegrade, but only under certain conditions.

Compostable bags need to be composted in a specific composting facility, Compostable bags are generally made from plant material that returns to base organic components when processed by these facilities, but the problem lies in the fact there are thus far only 150 of these facilities Australia wide.

However, it seems that with the changing of consumer attitudes commercially many countries are struggling as current commercial plants cannot deal with all the different types of plastic …

As a consumer based on this, I am making a concerted effort to avoid as much plastic as I can in my own home,,,

Home Freezing for me one of the hardest to change…Here is a good article about using mason jars as storage in the freezer…Something I haven’t tried yet…Have you?

Dog poo bags?

dog photo

Photo credit: flowcomm on Visualhunt.com / CC BY

It seems that whatever bag you use not many cities accept them once used due to cross contamination…

I think bags are much like plastic bottles when I reviewed they have a long way to go until recycling is available and effective within a short timescale…

Until then I will do the best I can given the circumstances of disposal available…

Thank you so much for reading this post If you have any thoughts please add a comment I always respond xxx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

More and more of my blogging friends have joined me on MeWe…A social media site which is fairly new and which promises much without the restrictions some other social media sites are choosing to impose on many of us…Join me if you will on mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

Plastic…Part 8…It can’t all be recycled…Or can it?

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Obviously, all the plastic which is collected cannot be recycled…

Let’s have a look at what is being done with the plastic which can’t be recycled through the normal channels…A good example is PET(E)

pollution-359014_640

French company Carbios has signed a letter of intent to install a demonstration plant for its enzymatic PET depolymerization technology. The French company signed the letter with vinyl producer KEM ONE. Construction is expected to start in mid-2019. Carbios’ “bio-recycling” technology can break down challenging polyester streams, including opaque containers and textiles, into their components, which can be used to make new plastic. Thus completing a circular economy…

PET(E) as we know is one of the most commonly used plastics for consumer products which include:- Water bottles, soda bottles and some food packaging.

It is intended for single use only….One time usage…as reusing increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. It may leach carcinogens and should NOT be reused.

Just the fact that it could leach carcinogens is enough to stop me using it…However, recycling PET(E) is also a problem a packaging producer has created a glass-lined PET bottle it claims is easier to recycle than composite materials, according to Beverage Daily. KHS has developed what it calls its FreshSafePET bottle, which uses an ultra-thin layer of glass on the inside of the PET bottle to provide a barrier layer to protect the drink. According to the article, the glass washes off in the PET recycling process.

I think this is a brilliant idea …

I have heard of Crowdfunding and come across companies who use it mainly it has been small companies with a prototype and it seems to work really well…

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance.

Because of the recent closures of Asian export markets for waste plastic…Countries are having to come up with their own ideas to recycle or create a circular economy to dispose of their own waste plastic…I personally think it is a great idea and that countries, manufacturers and individuals should all be responsible for their own waste plastic…

Pyrolysis development: Which is a UK startup is seeking to raise another 1.3 million British pounds (more than $1.6 million U.S.) via crowdfunding to advance commercialization of its pyrolysis technology, according to Waste Management World. Recycling Technologies is developing the business for RT7000 machines, which convert scrap plastics into an oil called Plaxx that is used to make new plastic.

Sounds good to me…

“Our children will have to pay a much bigger price unless we change our behaviour now.”
Sir David Attenborough…

What can we do or where do we start? I know many of you already are by using bamboo or glass straws in your home, by taking your own cup for when you buy a drink on the go…Most places if you offer cup will fill it up…Their drinks are measured so it makes no odds to them…

To make it easier… Plastic Oceans UK has launched a new education site for primary and secondary schools.

For individuals who want to know more about the problem? Plastic Oceans UK recommends watching this video…To get inspired as an individual or to start a community project …

Help to change the world’s attitude to plastic…

It is certainly good to see how many businesses and individuals are now looking at their plastic footprint and how they can reduce it…

Many companies are looking at a circular economy for those of you who are not sure, have maybe heard of it but don’t really know what it is…Quite simply… A circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. This means that materials constantly flow around a ‘closed loop’ system, rather than being used once and then discarded. As a result, the value of materials, including plastics, is not lost by being thrown away.

Unilever is a huge company with many, many outlets and subsidiaries I wouldn’t even like to hazard a guess as to the overall size of it however they seem to be serious…About the issue of plastic…They are rethinking plastic packaging and their progress so far is quite impressive and their timescales given the enormity of the project are realistic.

But ladies and gentlemen who do their own weekly shop ...How can we shop without plastic…I didn’t say it was simple it requires some thought …But it is doable and will soon become a habit…

We need a few reusable plastic-free shopping bags.
Some reusable produce bags in different sizes…plastic free or if you’re handy you could make your own.
Reusable food containers.

Are you ready to shop?

Firstly choose products which have no packaging or packaging which is easily recyclable. Fruit and veg are generally quite easy as it seems to be where the stores make their starting point…I know mine has they use banana leaves and these delightful containers made out of bamboo which they then tip the tomatoes into a paper bag at the till and reuse…

I think the deli, meat and fish are the hardest…We have our reusable containers and the stores really don’t mind us using them it is just us getting used to it …

Tins and glass jars just buy as you will that can be recycled or in the case of glass jars, I soak the labels off and use for my jams and pickling.

Dry goods like pasta come ready sealed although many stores are now selling many dry goods without packaging you just take your container along and buy the quantity you want or with pasta you can make your own if you don’t already do so and it really is so much nicer…

The bakery is quite simply a nice cloth bag will protect your loaf and containers are ideal if you are buying cakes…

The most difficult of all are those cleaning products…Soap is ok as it normally comes packaged quite prettily …We could look at making our own and there are many recipes for cleaners etc I will dig some out for you…My all purpose cleaner is great it comes in little brown paper packets and I just mix it with tap water it cleans everything even the oven..seriously I am the sceptic and have used many products which do not live up to the hype this does and did…Morris Clean is the name…and it can be purchased online but it is a brilliant cleaner…

By trying to avoid so much plastic packaging when we shop we will send a direct message to the supermarkets and also to the food manufacturers that we no longer want to buy our food in this way. There are also many zero packaging stores springing up around the world so check and see if you have one near you. As a consumer, we have to show by our actions what we expect as a customer and stores will soon realise if they want our custom, then they need to provide the consumer with a more environmentally friendly shopping experience to keep up with demand.

Photo credit: konarheim on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA

That’s all for today I hope you have found this useful and good luck with your shopping xxx

About Carol Taylor

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then I bid you welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

MeWe is a new social media and one which many of us are turning to mainly migrating over to as FB has banned many of my friends and for what seems no good reason that we can see I hope you will join us there.

MeWe: mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

Plastic…Part 3…Our actions…The Consequences…

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Last week I looked at different countries pledges to combat plastic waste…How it seems some countries like France just announce an outright ban and other countries allow appeal upon appeal which all delay the action…Complacency and greed …

We need collective action by consumers as well and we all know how powerful a consumer can be…Don’t we?

Individual choices are important and if we all took that pledge and like France banned certain items /actions in our homes it would have an effect…

This report from the Guardian highlights some of the problems in the UK…Just multiply that by all the countries in the world…

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/08/drinks-bottles-now-biggest-plastic-menace-for-waterways-report

We are at the crisis point WE the consumer have choices…I know you are all busy and have lives BUT sometimes we also have to make a stand…To stand up and be counted…Because if you think that your inaction doesn’t matter because everyone else is doing it…Try multiplying that thought by everyone else which is the same as yours…

Individual consumer choices are important as is collective action which can really make a difference.

I can hear you groaning…haha…Like my smartwatch which reads my actions…But consider this scenario…

In England alone, the government figures tell us that 4.6 bn plastic straws, 316 m plastic stirrers ( yep) those itsy little bits of plastic to stir your drink and 1.8 bn plastic stemmed cotton buds are used by us( YES) you/us are used each year…

3 things which we could all do that collectively which would make a huge difference…

Check and buy only environmentally compostable cotton earbuds…
Drink stirrers…
Straws…Come in paper, bamboo, stainless steel and glass

N.B. The links are Amazon I am not affiliated to Amazon I just used these links as an example…Locally to you should be easy to source…

But what a difference that would make…How easy is that to action???

Now for the good news stories...or is it?

a stack of paper cups

Compostable cup sales soar…

Rivers…They flow into the sea…Do you have a river near you? Is it clean are the fish abundant or is it like this?

Image by Rafael_Neddermeyer from Pixabay

Plastic bottles, the detritus of our throwaway water and soft drinks habits, are the most prevalent form of plastic pollution in European waterways, according to a new report.

Food wrappers, including crisp and sweet packets, were the second biggest form of plastic pollution in rivers, followed by cigarette butts. All of these forms of litter can cause problems for wildlife and fish and are hard to clean up once they have found their way into the water.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/08/drinks-bottles-now-biggest-plastic-menace-for-waterways-report

Glitter…“Some major supermarkets are moving to ban these harmful microplastics, but the British public is clear; supermarkets should be moving faster to tackle plastic waste.”

tubes of various glitters

The British government…Michael Gove, in particular, has been asked to move on this..Come on a 25-year plan is not good enough we want to see action now…If you live in the UK and feel the same please sign this petition…

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ban-plastic-glitter-lustre-use-in-the-uk

Vanuatu...Has one of the worlds strictest plastic bans…

Vanuatu local band

Vanuatu is an island country located in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The official name of the country is the Republic of Vanuatu.

Its closest neighbours are New Caledonia (France), Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Tuvalu.

The country is located some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 miles) east of northern Australia.

Vanuatu has 3 official languages: Bislama, English and French.

A beautiful country with pristine beaches and they aim to keep it that way

Every other country and government take note…However big or small you are an outright ban…WORKS…

Talking about baby steps and a small contribution …Adele Marie said…I have another story for your Waste not Want not. My wife Becca has been taking wildflower seeds with her when walking our dog Dante and she has been spreading them over areas that are forgotten and never touched where the flowers hopefully, will grow and provide a haven for Bees, butterflies, and all manner of insects. xxx

Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay

Image by n-k from Pixabay

I think that is an idea worth sharing …WELL DONE, Becca a lovely idea which I am sure all the bees and butterflies will be grateful for and so will the human population as without bees we all know the outcome… Thank you for sharing Adele xxx

Even though I bring you the harsh stark facts I love to bring the good news so please if you are still reading share wherever you can and think about those 3 small actions and how united we can make a difference…xxx

Thank you for reading xxx

green foot prints eco system

About Carol Taylor:

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

MeWe: mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all having a great week xx

Waste Not! Want Not! Week 18…Washed up on the beach…Dead!

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Before I kick off…I would like to truly thank everyone who sends me good news stories and who share/reblog these posts to spread the word that plastic IS A BIG PROBLEM WORLDWIDE very, very much…

This rant started building inside me when I read a FB post about whales found dead with shit loads of plastic in their stomachs…

Over the past two weeks, two whales have washed up on shores—one in the Philippines, and one in Italy—with stomachs stuffed with disposable plastic trash. On March 16, a young Cuvier’s beaked whale died and was found in Mabini after having consumed about 88 pounds of plastics. Last week, a pregnant sperm whale washed up dead in Sardinia with a little less than 50 pounds of plastic in her stomach. The beaked whale was found in a state of advanced dehydration and starvation, while the sperm whale’s death has not been fully diagnosed.

Of course, I opened it and started to click the links…Way back in 2014...Yep…California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 270…

Now comes the kicker…the ban was put on hold until a referendum is voted on in 2016.

Officials said that based on a random sample of 800,000 names submitted by the American Progressive Bag Alliance at the end of last year, opponents to the ban had mustered 555,000 names — more than the 505,000 needed to force a vote.

“It’s not surprising that after spending more than $3.2 million, 98 per cent of which is from out-of-state, the plastic bag industry has bought its way onto the California ballot to protect its profits,” said Mark Murray of Californians vs. Big Plastic, an advocacy group that supported the plastic bag ban and includes the Sierra Club, Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation. Full story here

On November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 67, the statewide Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban.

16 years from the initial Senate bill 270

What do you guys think when someone utters a statement like this???

However, some contend the state should stay out of the business of restricting plastics, whether straws or packaging. They also claim a small percentage of plastics in the ocean are coming from the United States.

“It won’t change anything, and nobody will see a difference,” said Kerry Jackson, a fellow at the Center for California Reform at the Pacific Research Institute, a conservative think tank based in San Francisco. “This is a freedom issue as well. [Companies] should be able to decide what they’re going to give to customers, and customers should be able to decide what they want to get.”

Freedom issue?…. Companies should be able to decide.?.. What planet apart from planet greed and money are these people on…It certainly isn’t the Blue Planet!

Blue Planet

Why can’t everyone be like the French? Banned from NOW…No arguments, no votes Just BANNED!

All the time that statement and amendments are allowed we will see horrific pictures like the ones Debby posted on whales and other marine life being choked and dehydrated until they abort their young or just die will continue…

Ostrich syndrome no longer works!

I make no apologies for my rant…If you do disagree feel free to comment here…You will get short shrift

♦♦♦♦♦

Now for the fluffy bits…The good News Stories…

Readers Corner…

Noelle said…

PLASTICS are polluting our oceans. Two young Americans have founded something called 4Oceans – I’ve done some research and it seems to be on the up and up. For every twenty-dollar bracelet, you buy, made from recycled plastics in Bali, they promise to remove one pound of plastic from the oceans. They are located around the world and it seems like a good place to donate. The bracelets aren’t much, but then most of the money goes to the cleanup and the local Bali economy. Check it out.

Victoria Ziglar sent me the info on Patch Plasters…

Patch’s hypoallergenic adhesive strips, perfect for kids and adults alike, are free of plastic, parabens, latex and silicon. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that grows many times faster than trees, uses much less water, produces up to 35 more oxygen and doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides!

Ideal for me in two ways so thank you, Tori, as I have a plaster allergy…

Also from Tori…Who is a little star…thank you xxx

The UK’s biggest coordinated beach clean-up, organised by Surfers Against Sewage, will see volunteers across the UK removing plastic from natural spaces including mountains, as well as contributing to the UK’s biggest ever Plastic Pollution Audit to help further track and tackle plastic pollution to stop it at the source.

Thank you, ladies …You Rock!

Finally, if you are still buying takeaway drinks then maybe …No, yes it is time to step up and take your own reusable cup

Thank you for still being here if you have survived my rant…xxx

Until next time ….with updated news on the plastic front…

Thank you for reading this post which I believe will point the way to a few changes we can make to really make a difference as I know I am not doing enough and should be doing more and that seems to be backed up by much in this post what do you think?… Are you doing enough to Save the Planet ???

About Carol Taylor:

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

green foot prints eco system

Plastic…The latest News…Part 2 around the world…

21 Replies

The Blue Planet Uk...How amazing is that? The BBC most certainly know how to make programmes like this… If you haven’t watched then #recommended#

Blue Planet

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

I can’t wait although I am scared, to say the least, what Sir David Attenborough has to say on climate change…

I thought today I would have a roam around the world to see what initiatives are going on although I do believe that however many initiatives are going on we need to be looking at the source i.e…My pesky manufacturers, they need to be pulled up sharp and told to sort it and pronto or face the consequences so we need to look at who we are electing and how they are going to tackle that…Rant nearly over…haha…

Become a climate voter...I am sure if you google it you will find a party in your area …

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns the world is running out of time to contain climate change.

I do believe that the amount of plastic generated affects the climate quite simply they are interlinked…

Plastic has invaded our everyday lives and is in everything we buy and use in one form or another…

Each year this figure increase and it is said that in 10 years time production and consumption with double it currently stands at 8 million metric tons finds its way into our oceans.

Worldwide it is estimated that 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the beaches…

Plastic bags, disposable napkins, plastic straws, plastic takeaway cups, glitter I could go on how could we not notice how could we not realise…did we not see the warning or more to the point heed them…I will be honest here I have read and seen lots over the years and still I didn’t heed the signs…I suppose I was guilty of thinking or not thinking and thought the problem was being addressed…By someone else…

Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay

Complacency is the word …

Let’s have a look at how many good serious and inventive ideas are being implemented around the world to make good use of plastic or eliminate the need for plastic and find other ways of producing what we need…

Thailand…

An obvious choice as I live here …Thailand is looking to ban the use of very thin single-use plastic bags in 2022, followed by single-use plastic glasses and straws three years …Thailand is also to ban foreign plastic waste from 2021. Thailand and other southern Asian countries are buckling under the sheer weight of imported plastic waste.

The UK...

In January 2018, the UK announced a 25-year plan to set the global gold standard on eliminating plastic waste, according to environment minister Michael Gove.

Australia …

Unlike other governments I couldn’t find much on outright bans it seems to be that it is happening state by state…South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, have state-wide bans on single-use plastic bags, and Queensland is set to follow in July 2018. Ministers also endorsed a target of 100 per cent of Australian packaging being recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025, to be delivered by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation.

Canada…

In January 2018, Canada put a stop to plastic microbeads. Although microbeads were permitted to be manufactured and imported for non-prescription drugs and certain natural health products until July 1 2018.

New Zealand…

Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage has confirmed that single-use plastic shopping bags will be phased out in New Zealand with regulations to come into force from 1 July 2019.

Germany…

Germany’s minister for agriculture, food and consumer protection. Klöckner wants to halve the amount of food thrown away in the country by 2030. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet adopted a concept to reach this goal on Wednesday. It is not only aimed at end consumers — i.e. customers in supermarkets — but also at companies, organizations, politicians and scientists. Klöckner made it clear that reducing waste is an “economic, ecological and ethical obligation” for everyone.

France…

2016 saw France become the first country to announce a total ban on plastic cups, plates, and cutlery, to be brought in from 2020.

India…

India pledges to beat plastic pollution by 2022…Wow, that is fighting talk as they probably have more plastic waste than many countries worldwide. India was the host to World Environment Day 2018 and they have taken 5 steps to fast track it already…

Holland…

With effect from January 2016, free plastic bags were banned… Although alongside France they have agreed to a Plastic Pact this is being condemned by the break free from plastics movement and Hollands recycling Network as they feel it should be law and not voluntary…

The Phillipines…

The 3rd major pollution contributor to plastic in the oceans…It seems that plastics, consumer makers are making the pledges…

Spain…

In October, Spain became the 32nd country to sign up to the UN Clean Seas campaign, which aims to ‘turn the tide on plastic.’

South Africa…

The government wants to ban... A lot of wants but no clear policies…

Finland…

Collective working in Finland received a Plastics Roadmap, which is the first step toward a new, sustainable plastic economy. Of the more than 100 proposals made, the roadmap presents a set of key actions to find solutions to challenges caused by plastics.

Rwanda…

Pleasing to see that here the call to end plastic waste has been escalating and even becoming a priority during the recent Annual World Economic Forum where consumer products companies were pressurised to put up more stringent strategies to curb plastic waste.

Switzerland…

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 24 January 2019 – Governments and companies are working actively around the world to create a circular economy for plastics.

The USA…

This article published in Jan 2019 show s current legislation by state…Plastic bag and paper bags…

My conclusion…

The countries I have chosen to highlight are based on my readership on my blog…There seems to be a trend for this circular economy for plastics which I highlighted in week 15 in my Thursdays Waste Not! Want Not! post and it seems a very positive action. Many countries are focusing on single-use plastics which is a start and Thailand is banning imports of plastic waste which is a fantastic move as I believe as a country we should all be responsible for our own plastic waste.

Some are taking a bit of a back seat I believe and although the UK’S 25-year plan is admirable I hope it has a big effect on the environment sooner rather than later…I like to see wording like banned from now or a year in advance…We don’t have 25 years to address this problem…

The EU’s Clean Seas campaign has a good sign up rate however I know that some countries who signed up and agreed to the EU’s fishing quota charter are blatantly ignoring them so I do hope they enforce this much better.

As well as government pledges there are also many local pledges which are great to see but ultimately it is the source of the problem which needs addressing not recycling and cleanups they just keep it from escalating as fast.

But please also remember that textiles also cause environmental problems those glittery tops and dresses when washed all go into the water system and those clothes you recycle often go to landfill and because they are sewed with plastic threads etc they don’t decompose very quickly…Thinking about tossing old clothing in the bin? Don’t. Not even if it’s shredded, stained or no longer on trend. You know those old nylon tights you used to gym in back in the day? Chucking them in the bin for being smelly and stretched out of recognition involves taking 30 to 40 years to decompose.

Thank you for reading and please continue to send me your local initiatives for my Thursday’s posts with pictures if possible xxx

That’s all for this week, thank you for reading and have a lovely week xx

About Carol Taylor:

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

MeWe: mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all having a great week xx

Plastic…The Latest News…

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Quite recently the BBC announced that a Blue Planet spin-off series is on the way…How exciting is that? I loved the 2017 series of the Blue Planet and it was popular worldwide…

Blue Planet UK is a week-long documentary series produced by BBC Studio’s Natural History Unit, the team behind Blue Planet and Blue Planet II.

Blue Planet

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

The programmes will offer audiences practical solutions for how to get involved around the country and tackle plastic pollution, according to the BBC.

Sounds good, right? When does it start…TONIGHT!

Blue Planet UK will air Monday 25 to Friday 29 March on BBC One.

Plastic Bottles…

plastic bottles

There still seem to be as many on the supermarket shelves as there were this time last year when I first wrote about plastic bottles …I don’t know about you but I still have to check what plastic is what …Time for a re-run…

Let the fun began…Simples? It is not!

There are plastic bottles and plastic bottles and even more plastic bottles…All sent to confuse the **** out of the poor health-conscious shopper who juggles two jobs, 6 kids, a husband and 2 dogs… and has to clean her own house…

So I have simplified it a little for you( and me) I have grouped the numbers into good and bad and given you a little background…my advice is to do some of your own research as well if you have any concerns about how plastic may affect your health and your family’s health.

Group One. Are what I class as the baddies and I avoid like the plague.

1= PET ( Polyethylene Terephthalate)

This is the most commonly used plastic for consumer products which include:- Water bottles, soda bottles and some food packaging.

It is intended for single use only….One time usage…as reusing increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. It may leach carcinogens and should NOT be reused.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

A soft, flexible plastic which is used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, children’s and pets toys.

PVC is known in many circles as poison plastic it contains many toxins which can leach throughout the life of a product.

It should not be re-used.

6. PS (Polystyrene)

Used to make styrofoam drink cups, take out containers, egg containers, plastic cutlery and foam chips for packaging.

It may leach styrene which is a possible human carcinogen into food especially a risk when food is microwaved.

Chemicals used in the manufacture are linked to human health and reproductive system dysfunctions.

Should be avoided where possible.

7. Other (BPA) Polycarbonate.

This is a known endocrine disruptor also this group 7 is a group for anything which doesn’t fit into the other categories.

Found in food containers labelled PC, baby bottles, sippy cups some of which are now labelled non-leaching but it is still possible..

THERE IS A NEW GENERATION OF PLASTICS BEING DEVELOPED TO REPLACE POLYCARBS USING POLYMERS LIKE CORN STARCH.

#7 should not be reused and where possible avoid using for children.

Group 2 are better but I always look for alternatives where I can as in glass bottles.

2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

A stiff plastic used for milk containers and detergent containers. toys and some plastic bags.

Considered the safest form of plastic…Reusable and recyclable.

4. LDPE (Low-density Polyethylene)

Used to make shrink-wrap, squeezy bottles, bread wrappers.

Considered less toxic( what is that supposed to mean) and relatively safe for use.

5.PP (Polypropylene)

This plastic is tough and light and a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals it is used as a cereal box liner… the bag your corn flakes are in…used for bottle tops, margarine and yoghurt pots, potato chip bags and straws.

Considered safe for re-use.

These symbols are generally found around the base or on the bottom of bottles. It is also the number which is found inside the recyclable arrows which tell the real story behind your plastic.

I hope this post has been helpful …I have been left with the need to know more as everything I have read is seeming to say maybe and using words which don’t commit…I myself have made a start and will be changing what I can by only buying products which are in plastics which are considered safer and even that rings alarm bells with me as so often reports have been vilified and poo-pooed by manufacturers and then a few years later peoples fears have been justified…

It is not just our health and our families but the worlds health, animals and the enviroment even the Queen of England has banned the use of plastic bottles/straws on her estates. I know this is based on helping the enviroment but my families health is also important and I think the two go hand in hand.

Something else I do as I had concerns about leaching into our food chain indoors was to dispense with tinned tomatoes as we used quite a lot and leaching into our food was a huge concern…I year later not only have I saved money but the tomatoes I use are tastier than tinned ones and healthier…

tomatoes-1277845_1920

Sally’s post on plastics added even more fuel to the fire that has been burning inside me for a while not just health wise but environmentally.

Sally’s post about ” The hormone mimic in plastic and inside food cans” was the catalyst for me to take action…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/smorgasbord-health-column-health-in-the-news-the-hormone-mimic-in-plastic-and-inside-food-cans-2/

Time for action:

Tomatoes were easy and so much cheaper than in cans as well…they freeze well and cost wise I am saving over 100% based on my usage. No brainer and quick to do…I just put boiling water over the tomatoes and skinned them. Then I had a thought..yep…I put the skins with a little of the tomato juice in my small blender and viola blended smooth you wouldn’t know they were skins and a lovely bright red colour so I added to the tomato pulp which brightened the colour.

No waste at all…

Next on my agenda is tomato paste… That is for another day…

That’s all for this week, thank you for reading and have a lovely week xx

About Carol Taylor:

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

MeWe: mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all having a great week xx

It must be good my favourite celebrity said so on the telly ???

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I wonder how many people bought any of these my guess quite a few…..

Anything new I see advertised like Silicone wraps I don’t just go out and buy especially when it has to do with what I use in my kitchen …I think what the product is and do some research before I buy… Do You???

Those people who know me just know I am going to speak to my friend Mr Google and do some investigating for myself on the safety of those Silicone wraps.

Firstly we had cling film or plastic food wrap as we Brits call it. If you hail from the other side of the pond then it’s Saran wrap, cling wrap or food wrap.

It is all the same and was hailed as the best thing since sliced bread and we all known that ain’t true.

Typically used to seal food containers and keep the food inside fresh for a longer period. Sold in rolls with a serrated edge it clung to many smooth surfaces.

One of its uses was to cover food while it was microwaved…Proclaimed as something new innovative and wonderful. This was way back in the 1970’s

Fast forward nearly 50 years and we are hearing different stories.

That heat can increase the risk of chemicals leaching into food.

If you are cooking with plastics or using plastic utensils, the best thing to do is to follow the directions and only use plastics that are specifically meant for cooking.

Plastics explained:

https://blondieaka.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/plastic-are-you-confused/

∼∼………∼∼

Inert containers are best, e.g heat-resistant glass, ceramics and good old stainless steel.

Plastic wrap is commonly made of PVC (Polyvinylidene Chloride). In recent years other PVC alternatives have become more popular. The most popular alternative in recent years is LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) because it is considered by many experts to be safer for the human body.

I love all these words like Considered...Although considered implies serious thought has been given to a decision to me I would prefer a definite affirmative to the safety of a product which I am using in my home or kitchen.

That is not going to happen though…Is it?

We now have something new…Silicone Food Storage Wrap/Covers…

What is Silicone?? Well, there is Silicon and Silicone.

Silicon is naturally occurring element.

Silicone is a synthetic polymer made of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen or carbon anything made this way is safe to use and if heated at high temperatures does not leach into foods. However, some Silicone contains fillers what fillers I do not know …Does this then make them unsafe? I have seen adverts claiming BPA free so I am working on the assumption that one of the fillers is BPA…

Here is a good article with links if you want to learn more about BPA and its effect on the human body.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/smorgasbord-health-column-health-in-the-news-the-hormone-mimic-in-plastic-and-inside-food-cans/

I am too old to believe everything that I am told or I see advertised as so many times I have questioned products and been told I am silly and don’t know what I am talking about…

Some of those same products are now known to be unsafe and contain hormone disruptors and the ilk so I believe I am right to question a new product before I buy and use it.

During my research, I came across another product…New to me for Beeswax wraps.

Beeswax Wraps

Which are washable, reusable, safe, compostable and all the words that I love to hear…

It is music to my ears…. But I could hear the voices saying??

∼∼∼………∼∼∼

They are not as pliable? Use something else i.e a glass container.

You have to wash them? Well?… I do washing anyway so will one more thing to wash make a difference to me? No!

They are expensive!

My question? What price do you put on yours and your family’s health???

Just saying!

Another option if you have the time is to make them yourself …..I have found a link to a woman who does and I must say the instructions are clear with lots of photos, concise and it looks quite easy for even a beginner… If you do have a go please let me know how you get on.

Retired? No one told me!

Tonight I Dream. Tomorrow I Do!

Category Archives: Plastic and the inside of cans The Dangers

Plastic…Part 9…Biodegradable and Compostable bags?

Biodegradable plastic bags…

Degradable plastic bags…

Compostable plastic bags…

Plastic…Part 8…It can’t all be recycled…Or can it?

Obviously, all the plastic which is collected cannot be recycled…

Help to change the world’s attitude to plastic…

About Carol Taylor

Connect to Carol

Plastic…Part 3…Our actions…The Consequences…

Waste Not! Want Not! Week 18…Washed up on the beach…Dead!

Plastic…The latest News…Part 2 around the world…

Plastic…The Latest News…

It must be good my favourite celebrity said so on the telly ???

Biodegradable plastic bags…

Degradable plastic bags…

Compostable plastic bags…

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Obviously, all the plastic which is collected cannot be recycled…

Help to change the world’s attitude to plastic…

About Carol Taylor

Connect to Carol

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