Here we go!
I HATE PLASTIC!
Plastic is all over my house, and I can't stand it. I've made attempts to reduce my use of plastic, but it keeps coming back. My fear is that in 10 years we will realize that ALL plastic is toxic and cancer causing, even the "BPA free" and "good" numbered plastics freak me out. I don't want me or my children playing with it, eating off of it or sitting on it. I also battle with my husband over this issue, HE LOVES PLASTIC!
Let's get REAL
I know, plastic is everywhere so what is a mom to do? So far I have reduced my plastic food containers and replaced them with glass Pyrex (which still have plastic lids.) I never heat up food in the microwave on plastic. I buy glassware to drink from knowing that the kids or I will probably break them and I'll have to buy more (often from garage sales.) And my husband has agreed to buy numbers 2,4,5. We also use Kleen Kanteens, and other stainless water containers.
After reviewing information on plastics, I have gathered that even the good numbered plastics leach after time or heat exposure. So the "better" plastic containers are labeled 2,4, and 5. The ones to avoid are 3,6, and especially 7.
The best choice is to avoid when possible and use glass and stainless steel.
I have barely touched the surface on this issue. I have a lot more questions. Which plastics can be recycled and where? Did the ingestion of BPA contribute to my mother's breast cancer. Are these products in places I have yet to consider?
Today
The most important question remains....what did I do today in my home that made me feel better about reducing plastic in our lives?
Well, I finally threw out those cute, colorful little melamine snacky bowls that the kids love. They are stamped "made in China dishwasher and microwave safe" with a "12" on the bottom---go figure. What did I not change?? Lots....my plastic high chair, my BPA free Nuby sippy cups, my black plastic spatulas to name a few.
Tomorrow, I will investigate glass or metal feed containers for the chicks. Also,
I need a replacement for my plastic cover for the picnic table.
✿Jennifer
You post is so timely...I've just been re-evaluating the plastic situation in our house. What gets me it all the plastic in the packaging at the supermarket and how there are no alternatives. I but milk in plastic, fruit wrapped in plastic...everything seems to be surrounded in plastic and it drives me mad. Surely this wasn't the way in the early 20th century...and I wish we could get alternatives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!! Luckily I've always had an aversion to plastic (but I don't have kids).
ReplyDeleteBut ...where I am so guilty is plastic water bottles!! Thank you so much for posting the numbers! I had looked into that once and totally forgot what they were...
Also there is a number to check on organic produce to guarantee it is top quality organic...forgotten that too. I'll look into it, or maybe you know?
Thanks! ~ It would have been hard to part with the My Little Pony's though :)
Jane,
ReplyDeleteYes, even the organic choices have too much packaging. The alternative is to buy in bulk. We have to retrieve bulk items with plastic bags. What did the turn of the Century shoppers use...burlap?
Thanks Michelle,
ReplyDeletePlease post about the organic produce. Rainbow Dash is the fav in this house.
I hear you about years from now more and more toxins being revealed in plastic. If I were a betting woman, that'd be a pretty sure bet, maybe even win me enough to pay my child's cancer treatment bills...I jest. Plastic is a huge concern of mine too. I hate it!!! But use it constantly.
ReplyDeleteI researched it as well. I ditched the plastic water bottles even though their recycle number is usually a 1 or 2 in favor of a brita at home and stainless steel bottle or reusing my Voss glass water bottle on the go. As far as plastic waste goes, water bottles are the WORST offenders. And those home delivery bottles aren't a safe number, plus the base unit is usually never cleaned and gather bacteria... I digress.
this well intentioned lady chose both of those options for years. Best option there is a home reverse osmosis filtration system or other faucet filtration device, but alas there is usually still medical grade plastic involved. I dream of owning some awesome rainwater collection and filtration system all made of glass and stainless steel.
I too do corningware and pyrex in lieu of plastic, BUT pyrex is non-recyclable...my concern being, what is in the glass that tempers it and makes in non-recyclable? something toxic?
My son's high chair is plastic and many of his toys are too.It was handed down to me and I thankfully forwent the expense of a new one. Dream one would be the svan or similar wooden that turns into a normal chair with age. I would totally be on board for all wooden, metal, natural material toys,but time and money have curtailed that dream a bit. Still love Plan toys with a passion and will be buying a locally made tiny picnic table as opposed to the "little tykes" hideous plastic one. No offense, I have their not quite as hideous sand and water table, cuz how do you make one of those out of other materials without spending a fortune?
Today I eyed all of my son's plastic bath toys and thought, "oh I wish it were easier to find wooden bath toys"...then I noticed, the bath tub is plastic, so oh well. At least he doesn't put them in his mouth anymore.
I pitched all the plastic tupper-things when the boys weren't looking which forced them to use jars I'd saved. Unfortunately, that also brought cellophane into the house. So now I'm drooling over the stainless steel bowls with waterproof lids which are, in a word, pricey!! We do use a plastic britta water filter, I think it's the lesser of the evils at this point. But there is a growing awareness in my house over the "p" word.
ReplyDeleteThought I'd let you all know that I bought these bags http://gdurl.com/meshbag at the dollar store ie. $1/4 and use them for all of my fruit and vegies that I purchase. Also using purchased bags or asking for paper can help the plastic situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments everyone. They are SO appreciated!!
What everyone is touching on is what I call "green-guilt" You know about it but how do you change EVERYTHING about the way you live? One step at I time... I think ;) We'll see!