Everyday the use of plastic is becoming increasingly alarming. A synthetic material developed in the 18th century that has been used in a vast majority of almost everything made since its incarnation is now proving to be not only incredibly harmful to the planet but shockingly dangerous to our health.
Plastic has a disastrous inability to decompose. To be more specific – every single piece of plastic ever made still exists today. This has a detrimental effect on our current landfill crisis. Not only is this a major cause for concern, but the by-products and pollution created during the manufacturing process have an equally substantial effect on the environment.
Let’s get down to what plastic is doing to our health. One of the main ingredients in plastic is BPA – a synthetic compound found in most plastics, as well as in the lining of canned food containers. Exposure to BPA is linked to a wide array of serious diseases including increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, infertility, infant mortality, hormonal imbalances, the list goes on! That said, it is time to get serious about going plastic-free.
A great place to start is to:
Avoid packaged foods: Eat mostly fresh, whole foods. Watch out for packets of individually wrapped fruit & veg also!
Check labels: Look out for ‘BPA Free’ and stay away from canned foods or foods packaged in plastic containers labeled with recycling numbers 3, 7 or the letters “PC.”
Drink from glass bottles: Buy liquids that come in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles or cans, including baby bottles.
Stay away from BPA products: Even receipts contain BPA so try to avoid where possible.
Be selective with materials: Try to buy products (including kids toys) made only from natural materials or ensure plastic products are BPA-free.
Re-use: Opt for REUSABLE bags, cutlery, keep-cups, water canisters, containers, metal straws, bamboo toothbrushes & menstrual cups. Buy in bulk using your own containers rather than products with single-use packaging.
Recycle: do the research and find out exactly what & how to recycle based on your local council.
Avoid: most ‘compostable’ bags need to be disposed of in designated facilities which we often don’t have access to. Other things to avoid include straws, takeaway containers and companies that support single use plastic.
One of the easiest ways to eliminate plastic from your kitchen is to make the switch from cling film to beeswax wraps. Beeswax wraps are a fantastic, sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. You can purchase them from most organic stores or even better make your own. This can be a great creative project for the whole family.
Going plastic-free is just another way to eliminate exposure to unnecessary toxins and work towards obtaining optimum health while taking care of the planet.
Remember that change always begins with conscious intentions.