After the success of Plastic Free July, I decided that I will carry on from Plastic Free July and repost some updated previous posts on plastic from 2019…the reason being sometimes I feel we are going round in circles and promises are made and not kept…
This means I will name and shame but also praise those who are and have been as good as their word and made a difference…
Starting with Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 11...which when it first aired had quite an impact with many people pledging they would make changes…
What has been the impact of Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II?
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
However, an experiment by Imperial College London and the University of Oxford suggests that although watching the documentary increased environmental awareness in a group of volunteers, it did not translate into choosing to use fewer single-use plastics.
First author Matilda Dunn, from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial, said: “The findings from our experiment are counter to the popular idea that Blue Planet II reduced viewers’ preference for plastic, instead demonstrating that human behaviours are complex and determined by more than just knowledge.
Plastic Bottles…
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.
Also, check how your council or municipality deals with such waste as they may encourage you to recycle and then send it to a landfill…It happens with great frequency do not be fooled into thinking you are doing your bit you just think you are and they are not…
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 manufacturing 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.
It is not just our health and our families but the worlds health, animals and the environment even the Queen of England has banned the use of plastic bottles/straws on her estates and in the shops and cafes as well as her own homes. I…Well done your Majesty…
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…
Update 2021…
Bisphenol A (BPA) is well-known for its estrogen-mimicking properties and is used in many canned foods. While manufacturers have been removing this compound from their products, new research is showing that the substitute might be just as bad.
Why does this NOT surprise me?
Just once I would love to pick something up off a supermarket shelf be it labelled healthy or just junk food and know with absolute certainty that it contained no harmful chemicals or preservatives and that the package was fully decomposable…I can but dream…
That’s all for this week, thank you for reading and have a lovely week …
See you tomorrow for my A-Z on the environment with the letter M…
Retired? No one told me! 