Getting rid of plastics 6/23/2010

While perusing one of my favorite blogs I decided to go to step two after reading the latest entry on Frugal Canning. Plastics have been on my mind for a couple of months now. 

I stopped using any canned goods except for the ones from Eden Food which are BPA free.  They use custom cans that are lined with an enamel made from vegetable resins which costs them 14% more.

The best thing to do is to reduce your use of plastic. Look for natural alternatives like textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, etc. Also, look for items with less (or no) plastic packaging. If you do buy plastic, opt for products you can recycle or re-purpose (e.g. a yogurt tub can be re-used to store crayons). And, get to know your plastics – starting with this guide:

The most common plastics have a resin code in a chasing arrow symbol (often found on the bottom of the product).

 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): AVOID
Common Uses: Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, Cooking Oil Bottles
Concerns: Can leach antimony and phthalates.

 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): SAFER Common Uses: Milk Jugs, Plastic Bags, Yogurt Cups

 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride, aka Vinyl): AVOID
Common Uses: Condiment Bottles, Cling Wrap, Teething Rings, Toys, Shower Curtains
Concerns: Can leach lead and phthalates among other things. Can also off-gas toxic chemicals.

 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): SAFER
Common Uses: Produce Bags, Food Storage Containers

 PP (Polypropylene): SAFER
Common Uses: Bottle Caps, Storage Containers, Dishware

 PS (Polystyrene, aka Styrofoam): AVOID
Common Uses: Meat Trays, Foam Food Containers & Cups
Concerns: Can leach carcinogenic styrene and estrogenic alkylphenols

 Other this is a catch-all category which includes:
PC (Polycarbonate): AVOID – can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA). It also includes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), Acrylic, and Polyamide. These plastics can be a safer option because they are typically very durable and resistant to high heat resulting in less leaching. Their drawbacks are that they are not typically recyclable and some need additional safety research. New plant-based, biodegradable plastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) also fall into the #7 category.

Information from www.healthychild.org

Since I don’t buy much packaged food anymore, removing plastics from my kitchen is not all that difficult. Everything I have is marked “5” except for the two lids that I have that cover a plate while microwaving.  Those two had no labeling at all and ended up in the garbage.  I rarely use my microwave any more.  Actually, I could get rid of it and use that space for something else.

I have been saving glassware for weeks now.  Later I’m going to my Mom’s and will see if she has anything glass laying around.  Except for a few items, all my plastic containers are now housing screws, car parts etc.

For the rest of the summer, I’ll be working 7 days a week unless Miller Toyota Scion is closed.  Next month I will be off on the 4th which is awesome since Cyndi and Kenny will be having a 4th of July get together at their home. 🙂

Still no sign of a boil.  I am so happy, though I’m sure my doctors are disappointed that I’m not showing up a couple of times a month for boil draining, antibiotics, doctor’s excuses, pain pills and reasons for having them in the first place.  Rat Bastards!