A man passes by lots of buildings with take-out coffee on his way to work. He orders a salad for lunch and he eats out with his friends after work. Children go to school and eat lunch box. They play with their toys.
It seems like a normal daily life. In these stories, how many plastics do they use?
Here are the lists: Disposable cutlery, throw-away hot drink cups, building insulation, wall tile, paints, serving trays, take-out food containers, foam and rigid plates, clear bakery containers and toys, etc.… These are all plastics.
What’s the problem with using these plastics in daily life? A serious problem is chemical migration from plastic packaging into contents.
According to the Ecology Center, people are exposed to these chemicals not only during manufacturing but also by using plastic packages, because some chemicals migrate from the plastic packaging to the foods they contain. Examples of plastics contaminating food have been reported with most plastic types, including Styrene from polystyrene, plasticizers from PVC, antioxidants from polyethylene, and Acetaldehyde from PET.
In daily life, one of the most commonly used plastic chemicals is Polystyrene.
What Is Polystyrene?
According to Wikipedia, Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer styrene.
(styrene: a synthetic chemical classified as a possible human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tons per year. Uses include protective packaging, containers, take-out food containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, disposable cutlery and in the making of models. (Source: Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org)
Polystyrene can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and can cause dizziness and unconsciousness. It can migrate into food and stores in body fat and elevate rates of lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers for workers.
Despite these harmful effects, annual usages of plastics are still huge. Over 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide. According to China Trade News, China consumes 3 billion plastic bags daily and about 1 million plastic bags are used every minute. And it takes 500 years for plastic bags to break down and it remains toxic even after they break down.
Despite a bit depressing news, there is a hope. Fortunately, many campaigns like Plastic Free, Anti Plastic, Crush Plastic spread widely and more countries and people are actively getting involved in them. Recognizing harmful exposure and trying to reduce plastic usage are an important first step.
Please check out this list of plastic-free and less plastic alternatives. There are many easy things everyone can follow in daily life.
First, Get a reusable stainless cutlery. Replace plastics with personal belongs. People found it protects the environment, personal health and saves money at the same time.
Please check “I’m Fork” project on Indiegogo. The founder of “I’m Fork”, Karl Sungmin Lim, said “It’s the best alternative for Plastic Free Campaign. Let’s imagine that everyone in the world carries personal stainless cutlery, it’d be a huge impact on the environment. Let’s start a small thing. To change the world, what we need the most is a small thing.”
“I’m Fork” is a brand-new portable cutlery set with an eco-friendly design made of stainless steel and protect personal hygiene. Please check more by visiting online at igg.me
Second, avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap. When going to a supermarket, please check its labels saying “BPA Free”. Please buy food in glass or metal containers.
Third, do not give young children plastic teethers or toys.
Finally, use natural fiber clothing, bedding, and furniture.
Not only environmentalists but also many people started to quit using plastics in daily life. They also recognize the harmful effects of plastic chemicals well. There’s no time like the present, start now.
What’s “I’m Fork” project?
“I’m Fork” is the best choice for Plastic Free Campaign. It’s a brand-new portable cutlery set with an eco-friendly design made of stainless steel. It’s detachable to hand carry, carry it anytime, anywhere, most hygienic and most stylish daily necessity.
Interested parties can find out more by visiting online at igg.me or Company’s Website at circleent.net. Don’t miss the special event, Buy 1 Get 1 Free!
More details are below;
Facebook (facebook.com/imforks)
Instagram (www.instagram.com/
Twitter (twitter.com/Imforks)
Source: ecologycenter.org, en.wikipedia.org
