The widespread use of disposable takeaway containers contributes to large amounts of waste that leads to pollution and environmental toxins ( 19). When ingested, it may increase your risk of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other metabolic disorders ( 10). Plastics with BPAīisphenol-A (BPA) is a plasticizer additive used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a material used in many plastic products ( 10).īPA not only accumulates in the environment but also migrates from food packaging to the food itself. Oceans and coastal areas are particularly prone to the damage caused by single-use plastics, as exemplified by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - an accumulation of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Hawaii. Straws, beverage bottles, bottle caps, Styrofoam cups, and plastic bags are the most common, unsustainable, and inappropriately disposed single-use plastics. Here are 3 petroleum-based plastics that you should avoid. While these additives may produce a more desirable plastic product that enables food storage and transport, the chemicals they contain lead to pollution and increase the risk of endocrine disorders and cancers in humans ( 1, 11, 18). Instead, they break down into fragments known as micro- and nanoplastics that contaminate the environment and threaten natural ecosystems and human health ( 1, 2, 3, 8). These petroleum-based plastic products aren’t biodegradable, meaning they don’t decompose into natural substances. Unless broken, these containers have a lifespan 3.5 times that of plastics and can be recycled when discarded, reducing the negative environmental impact of plastics ( 11).Ĭonventional plastics contain many additives, such as stabilizers, fillers, plasticizers, flame retardants, and - more recently - antimicrobials ( 1, 5). Therefore, most of these transportable glass food containers use snap-locking plastic lids with a silicone seal or bamboo lids that double as portable cutting boards.īe sure to choose lids that are free of bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor shown to play a role in both male and female infertility and tumor development ( 10). However, glass lids aren’t leak-free, making them unideal for portable containers to take to work or school or on an outing. Glass food and drink containers include water bottles and bento boxes ( 9). It’s a reusable, recyclable, and durable material that’s also easy to clean and use as transportable food packaging. Glass has a multitude of uses and benefits for daily life. Here are 5 eco-friendly food packaging options that are better for the planet - and your health. Thankfully, eco-friendly alternatives are on the rise. Plastic food packaging poses innumerable environmental and public health risks, including accumulation in the oceans and disruption to your endocrine system. While they’ve also been shown to contain chemicals and NIAS, studies demonstrate that the movement of chemicals into food and your body is much lower with eco-friendly packaging than it is with plastics, making them safer for the environment and human health ( 3, 7, 8).Įxposure to chemicals in food packaging is unavoidable, but efforts to reduce the transfer of these chemicals into food are vital for human health ( 3). These eco-friendly food packages often use sustainable bioplastics and plant-based extracts, such as wheat, wood, and bamboo, that are biodegradable, reusable, and free of hazardous chemicals ( 4, 5, 6, 7). Yet, environmentally friendly packaging alternatives are becoming ever more widespread. These chemicals pose toxicity and endocrine-disrupting risks in humans ( 1, 3). In addition to the chemicals that are intentionally used to produce plastics, many non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) are found in food packages. Particular concerns surrounding plastics include their accumulation in the oceans and landfills, the generation of micro- and nanoplastics, and human exposure to toxins when chemicals in food packaging transfer to foods ( 1, 3). Why is sustainable food packaging important?
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