Plastics
There's no question that plastics have made possible amazing technological advances, but that doesn't mean that we can use them carelessly. Watching the thoughtless discarding of plastics in India and the resulting seas of refuse, I learned one reason. Another equally important is the toxins such as benzene and dioxin some plastics release. Plastics are made from oil, which has its own geopolitical issues. Incineration causes health risks, animals attempt to eat them and die, etc.
Currently the US recycles about 25% of its plastics, but even these are turned into low-quality goods such as plastic lumber. The rest are landfilled or incinerated. We need to also reduce our use and use what we have safely.
By the Numbers:
DANGERS:
Plastic #3 -- Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, poses serious health risks at every stage of its life. PVC manufacturing sites leave cancer-causing agents, some leach developmentally-damaging chemicals, and incineration or landfilling leaks toxins as well. But that is usually what happens to it.
Plastic #6 -- Polystyrene is the kind of foam used in food trays, egg cartons, opaque plastic cutlery, and the like. Chemicals here can leach into the food it stores. The EPA suggests that even short-term exposure at high levels can lead to weakness, nausea, and loss of concentration; long-term exposure can cause cancer. Often turned to trash, land-filled or incinerated, despite other claims.
Plastic #7 -- This is the number used for all miscellaneous plastics which don't fit into other categories. It includes the plastics used in baby bottles, liners for metal food cans, sport water bottles, etc. A report by Environmental Health Perspectives in August of 2005 revealed that about 80% of studies show low-dose Bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure can alter brain chemistry and affect the nervous system. Often not recycled, but land-filled or incinerated.
BETTER:
Plastic #1 -- PETE/PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used for clear beverage bottles, is widely downcycled, and considered safe. This plastic is turned into "fleece" jackets and carpeting, but after that, it cannot be recycled again.
Plastic #2 -- HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is used for cloudy beverage bottles, yogurt containers and other food tubs. Downcyclable, but tubs and bottles need to be downcycled separately--do local recyclers do this? Generally considered safe. This is often turned into products like railroad ties, but after that it cannot be recycled again.
Plastic #4 -- LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is used for garbage bags, food storage bags, some cling wraps and bottles. Not easily recyclable, but considered safe. In practice, this is rarely recycled, but accepted by companies out of obligation. In the end it is usually landfilled or incinerated.
Plastic #5 -- PP (polypropylene) is used in butter tubs, some baby bottles, and other rigid containers. Not easily recyclable but considered safe. Like #4, usually land-filled or incinerated.
Strategies
Reduce & Reuse:
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Avoid items for single-use like plastic cutlery and disposable bottles √
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Carry refillable bottles or mugs; bring cloth bags to grocery stores √
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Foam boxes and plastic bags should be avoided for leftovers and take-out foods √
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If buying items in plastics, buy the largest size possible √
Take Precautions:
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Avoid plastics #3, #6, and #7 √
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Avoid putting any plastics in microwaves which promotes breakdowns of plastic and therefore leaching √
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Keep clingwraps and such out of the microwave
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Avoid plastic water bottles where you can. If not possible, use a polycarbonate bottle, don't put warm or hot liquids in them, and discard old or scratched bottles. #1 and #2 bottles are for single-use only. Others should be washed daily if reused, but harsh detergents can damage them as well.
Recycle:
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Recycle them! √
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If curbside recycling doesn't take them, contact www.earth911.org for alternatives
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Buy recycled plastics
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Discard caps and lids from plastic bottles you recycle √
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Plastic grocery bags can best be recycled at certain stores; if your recycler takes them, bind them together in a tight bundle
Bioplastics?
Bioplastics use corn, soy, sugars, and other crops to substitute for many plastics uses. Toyota uses them in some its cars; Del Monte and Newman's Own have adopted them, and even Wal-Mart is using corn-based packaging for cut fruit and vegetables. Cargill owns NatureWorks, which makes most of the bioplastics used in the US.
Advantages:
- Biodegrade relatively quickly, especially is comparison to traditional plastic which can take centuries
- Are made from annually-renewable products instead of oil; even including the manufacturing process which includes oil in the farms, the reduction in oil use is 50%
- Can be recycled repeatedly into similar products
- Work like oil-based plastics, including polyester products used in t-shirts, plastic forks, and even coffins.
Problems:
- Most are ending up in landfills, which prevents the fast biodegrading. Worse, since most mainstream recyclers don't have machines for recycling bioplastic, placing it curbside simply wastes it. Coalitions are working to create a separate recycling program for it.
- Natiowide over-buying of bioplastics until a way to recycle it is found, then, may make the waste issue worse.
Recommendations:
- Sort waste; compost your own bioplastics, if possible.
- Use bioplastics to contain kitchen composts, yard composts, etc.
Links
Center for Health and Environmental Justice: www.chej.org
Environmental Health Strategy Center: www.preventharm.org
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy: www.iatp.org
National Recycling Coalition: www.nrc-recycle.org
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Biocorp (recyclable products): www.biocorpaavc.com
Biodegradable Products Institute: www.bpiworld.org
BIOTA water: www.biotaspringwater.com
Greener Earth Marketing: www.sinlessbuying.com