There’s no question there are excellent plastic products that have done a lot to improve human lives. Items such as car seats, helmets, and medical plastics (just to name a few) are important items that not only enhance, but save lives. These are not the plastics that have people concerned.
The plastics I refer to in this article are the superfluous plastics. Those that are created for convenience and financial sake only. In fact, products such as plastic utensils are often created to be used once and then tossed into the garbage. These are what I call 鈥渄aily plastics,鈥� which are completely unnecessary otherwise.
Isn鈥檛 Recycling Plastic the Solution?
What exactly does it mean to throw something 鈥渁way鈥�? First of all, 鈥渁way鈥� isn’t in a land far, far away. It鈥檚 somewhere in our environment where we live, eat, sleep, and play. Every day, garbage is shoved into giant holes called landfills 鈥� right here on planet Earth.
When compared to landfills, recycling (taking used plastic and making new plastic) may seem like the perfect solution. But the honest truth is that recycling is second to simply reducing the amount of plastic that you bring into your home in the first place. This is because recycling plastic isn鈥檛 done with the wave of a wand.
Emissions are a major part of this system, so recycling centers are huge air polluters. While recycling remains a slightly better option than the landfill, clearly it鈥檚 not the ultimate solution. A better option revolves around the plastic supply-and-demand system. It鈥檚 simple: lessen the demand for daily plastics by using as little of it as possible. Less demand, less created.
Plastics and Human Health
The disposable aspect of daily plastics is clearly an issue for the environment. But the research has shown some compelling data that suggests that we are constantly exposing ourselves to health issues derived from everyday items.
Common plastics that are found in any home, include squeeze bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic wrap, plastic utensils, Styrofoam containers, takeout food containers, clear plastic bottles, food can liners, condiment containers, children鈥檚 sippy cups, and plastic baby bottles.
Source:
To read the full story, visit .