How harmful is plastic? <\/b>And what about plastic bans? Do they work? Or are there better ways to tackle plastic pollution?<\/p>\n
And what can you do as an individual to protect yourself from harm and to help solve the plastic problem?<\/b><\/p>\nWhat Is Plastic?<\/h2>\n
There are seven main types of plastic<\/a>, each used for different purposes. They\u2019re labeled with numbered codes, helping you determine which kind of plastic you\u2019re dealing with and if you can recycle it.<\/p>\n Though the first plastics were once natural products (used as far back as 3,500<\/a> years ago), almost all plastics today are man-made and derived from fossil fuels, including crude oil <\/b>and natural gas.<\/p>\n Scientists have also created new forms of plastics made from renewable materials \u2014 known as biopolymers or bioplastics.<\/b><\/p>\n Bioplastics are made from natural sources, <\/b>including vegetable fats\/oils, corn starch, straw, wood chips, and even food waste.<\/p>\n While bioplastics are typically considered more environmentally-friendly than traditional plastics, they aren\u2019t a catch-all solution<\/b>. Many still end up in landfills, and as more come on the market, there are issues<\/a> with land use, proper disposal, and toxicity.<\/p>\n Researchers are currently working on bioplastics<\/b> that are compostable,<\/b> degradable in water<\/b> (should they end up in the ocean), and non-toxic.<\/b> Though promising solutions are in development (such as bioplastic straws<\/a> made from avocado and bioplastic coffee cups<\/a> made from potato starch, corn starch, and cellulose \u2014 the main component of plant cell walls), they aren\u2019t yet widely available.<\/p>\n Before synthetic plastics took over, products were usually packaged with natural materials, such as wood, glass, metal, or paper.<\/b><\/p>\n After World War II, plastic became a popular material for everything from nylons to packaging to food wrap.<\/p>\n Throwaway plastic was convenient, cheap, and human-made,<\/b> and there was a seemingly endless supply.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, few people were thinking of the long-term consequences of creating so much trash, or how plastic might affect the human body.<\/p>\n World production of plastic has increased exponentially over the decades.<\/p>\n Here are some striking facts about the rise in plastic use \u2014 and subsequent waste:<\/p>\n Research has found that many chemicals used in plastic production can cause health problems for humans.<\/b><\/p>\n Many plastics, for example, contain a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA.<\/p>\n When BPA is used in food or beverage containers, not all of the chemical gets sealed into the product. Some of it leaches out \u2014 especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. The primary source<\/a> of human exposure to BPA is through packaged foods and drinks.<\/p>\n BPA is a known hormone disruptor and strongly <\/b>linked<\/b><\/a> to a number of diseases,<\/b> including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease,<\/a> asthma<\/a>, cancer<\/a>, infertility, low sperm count, liver<\/a> problems, and ADHD<\/a>.<\/p>\n As news started coming out about the dangers of BPA, many manufacturers began phasing this nasty chemical out of their products. At first, that seemed like a good thing.<\/p>\n But when the National Institutes of Health funded research<\/a> on BPA-free plastics, researchers found that \u201calmost all\u201d commercially available plastics that were tested leached synthetic estrogens<\/b> \u2014 even when the plastics weren\u2019t exposed to conditions known to unlock potentially harmful chemicals, such as the heat of a microwave oven, the steam of a dishwasher, or the sun\u2019s ultraviolet rays.<\/p>\n According to this NIH-funded study, some BPA-free plastic products released synthetic estrogens that were even more potent than BPA.<\/b><\/p>\n The bottom line<\/i>: BPA plastics are dangerous to your health. And it seems likely that most BPA-free plastics offer little, if any, improvement.<\/p>\n Another significant health issue involves the direct ingestion of plastic by consumers,<\/b> thanks to the quantity of plastic now adrift in the ocean.<\/p>\n Fish and other invertebrates are eating microplastics (broken down pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long) by the ton.<\/p>\n Smaller fish, like sardines, eat this plastic, and then they\u2019re eaten by larger fish. When fish become seafood, the tiny bits of plastic (and associated toxins) make their way into the mouths and bodies of consumers.<\/p>\n This problem has led some scientists to start calling the ocean a \u201cplastic soup.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n A 2015 study published<\/a> in the journal IOPScience<\/i> estimated that in 2014, the number of microplastics in the ocean ranged from 15 to 51 trillion pieces<\/b>, weighing between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons.<\/p>\n As awareness about the many problems with plastic has spread, bans on single-use plastics are being put into place by companies, cities, and even whole countries.<\/p>\n Two products have been the focus of most of these bans: plastic bags and plastic straws.<\/p>\n Plastic bags were the first to face widespread criticism.<\/p>\n In 2007, <\/span>San Francisco<\/b> banned single-use plastic bags. Then in 2016, the entire state of <\/span>California<\/b> followed suit. By 2024, Colorado<\/a> will have their plastic bag (and foam container) ban in place.<\/span><\/p>\n Boston<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Portland<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>New York<\/b><\/a>, and <\/span>Seattle<\/b><\/a> have also banned single-use plastic bags. And many cities, including<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Chicago<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and <\/span>Washington, DC<\/b><\/a>, have enacted fees for use of recycled paper or plastic bags.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note: Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, some cities have <\/span><\/i>temporarily suspended<\/span><\/i><\/a> their plastic bag bans or fees. To check the status of plastic bags in your city, visit <\/span><\/i>Bag the Ban\u2019s plastic bag legislation map<\/span><\/i><\/a> or check your city government’s website.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Other countries have also begun to ban plastics, and some impose stiff fines or penalties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n In total, more than<\/b><\/a> 60 countries have enacted plastic bans and\/or fees <\/b>in order to cut down on plastic waste, and many more are likely to follow soon.<\/p>\n Straws are the latest plastic product to receive negative attention.<\/p>\n The focus on straws largely began with a viral video<\/a> in which a marine biologist removed a straw from a sea turtle\u2019s nose. You can watch the video here<\/a>. (Warning: Video contains adult language.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Because straws are so lightweight, they frequently get sorted out during the recycling process and end up in waterways.<\/p>\n In response to growing public outcry, some companies are starting to willingly cut back or eliminate single-use plastics, particularly straws:<\/p>\n In recent years, much of the outcry around plastic has focused on single-use bags and straws,<\/b> without as much focus on other plastic items like packaging materials and food containers.<\/p>\n Now, you might ask, are these really such a big issue? Can banning plastic bags and straws really help solve the waste problem?<\/i><\/p>\n After all, straws only make up an estimated less than 10%<\/a> of the nine million tons<\/a> of plastic pollution that gets into the world\u2019s oceans annually.<\/p>\n But the truth is, every bit counts. And many experts argue that banning bags and straws help consumers start small<\/i> when it comes to cutting back. So by focusing on eliminating these items, we can start to chip away at the larger issue of single-use plastics.<\/p>\n The reality is that while straw bans won\u2019t nearly solve the whole problem, they\u2019ll make a dent in it, while also helping educate billions of consumers.<\/b><\/p>\n Which brings us back to you and me.<\/p>\n As it turns out, we can do a lot.<\/p>\n Here are some ideas for helping solve the plastic problem by cutting back on single-use plastic:<\/p>\n If you live in a place where grocery stores still give out plastic bags, it\u2019s easy to fall back into using them \u2014 or to opt for paper, which has its own environmental problems.<\/p>\n To make it easier, keep a few reusable bags in your car so they\u2019ll always be handy when you need to stock your fridge. The next time you\u2019re asked, \u201cPaper or plastic?,\u201d you can say: \u201cNeither! I brought my own bags.\u201d<\/p>\n Whenever you do end up with plastic or paper bags, reuse them as much as possible<\/b>. Take them to the store, collect recycling items in paper, or use old plastic bags for kitty litter or to line your trash bins.<\/p>\n In our home, if they aren\u2019t too soiled, we rinse and air-dry our plastic, produce bags so we can reuse<\/b> them when we go back to the store.<\/p>\n Drinking water is wonderful, but it produces a lot of waste if you\u2019re opting for bottled water<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a better option: Buy your own glass or stainless steel water bottle and bring it with you everywhere you go.<\/b><\/p>\n If you have a home filter,<\/span>\u00a0you can bring clean water with you whenever you go out.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of plastic packaging, use glass jars and other containers to store your food.<\/b><\/p>\n If you start reusing glass jars from sauces and other store-bought items, you\u2019ll have a big collection of containers in no time.<\/p>\n Many stores have significant bulk buying departments, where you can stock up on flour, legumes, nuts, seeds, seasonings, dried fruit, and all kinds of other ingredients \u2014 often for a sizable discount.<\/p>\n Bring glass jars (pre-weighed so you don\u2019t have to pay for the glass at checkout) or reused plastic bags from home and get exactly as much as you need.<\/p>\n Plastic straws are on the way out. If you\u2019re a fan of drinking beverages through a straw (or if you need to drink through a straw for health reasons), you can buy some stainless steel ones to carry with you. A pack of four could last you a lifetime \u2014 and they come with a special brush for cleaning.<\/p>\n Eating fast food or takeout means creating a lot of waste. And it\u2019s usually bad for you<\/a>, too. Opt for cooking your own healthy food at home, instead. When you do decide to eat out, bring along a <\/b>reusable container<\/b><\/a> for leftovers.<\/b><\/p>\n Instead of using plastic cutlery when you do eat out (or for your homemade lunch at work), buy a portable <\/b>bamboo<\/b><\/a> or stainless steel utensil kit.<\/b><\/p>\nBioplastics: Plastics Made from Plants and Other Natural Materials<\/h2>\n
How Plastic Became Part of Everyday Life<\/h2>\n
And Now, Plastic Is More Popular Than Ever<\/h2>\n
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How Does Plastic Harm Human Health?<\/h2>\n
What About BPA-Free Plastics?<\/h2>\n
Another Plastic Problem: Some Humans Are Eating It<\/h2>\n
![\"plastic](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/plasticinwater.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPlastic Bans Are Happening Around the World<\/h2>\n
Plastic Bag Bans Are Spreading<\/h2>\n
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Anti-Straw Sentiment Is Heating Up<\/h2>\n
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Plastic Bags and Straws: Are These Single-Use Plastic Bans Helping?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/plasticstraws.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9 Ways You Can Help Solve the Plastic Problem<\/h2>\n
#1 – Keep Reusable Shopping Bags in Your Car, and Use Less Single-Use Plastic<\/h3>\n
#2 – Reuse Your \u201cDisposable\u201d Bags<\/h3>\n
#3 – Carry Your Water Bottle Everywhere<\/h3>\n
#4 – Use Glass Jars for Leftovers and Storage<\/h3>\n
#5 – Buy in Bulk When You Can<\/h3>\n
#6 – Snag Some Stainless Steel Straws or Opt Out of Straws Altogether<\/h3>\n
#7 – Skip the Fast Food<\/h3>\n
#8 – Bring Your Own Utensils<\/h3>\n
#9 – Read SLO Active’s Plastic Pollution Guide<\/h3>\n
![\"glass](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/plastic-tupperware.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Did](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/plasticbanshare.jpg\")
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