A new generation of disposable plastic has arrived and it's going to revolutionize the way we produce and dispose of thousands of products. Derived from renewable plant-based raw materials, these newly developed plastics are not hazardous to produce and decompose when discarded. So does this mean we've finally seen the last of our conventional, non-biodegradable, toxin-leeching, petroleum-based plastics? Not exactly.
Bioplastics are synthesized from corn, soy, sugar cane and other crops. In North America, two components of corn starch, Mater-Bi and Polyactide, are the most common resins used in the manufacture of bioplastics-usually fashioned into food packaging. Bioplastics are certified "compostable plastics" according to standards set by several international organizations. To become certified, plastics must meet the following conditions:
Biodegradable under the right conditions the plastics must break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the same rate as cellulose (paper).
Disintegrate once fully broken down, you should not be able to distinguish the plastics from other compost.
Eco-Toxicity: as the plastics biodegrade, they must not produce toxic substances and their compost must be able to support plant life.
In addition to their compostability, unlike petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics are made from fast-growing renewable resources. Unlike most of their conventional counterparts, bioplastics can also be recycled into the same or different products indefinitely.
In addition to their compostability, unlike petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics are made from fast-growing renewable resources.
As with every new technology, it takes time to work out the bugs. When given the option, most consumers prefer bioplastics to conventional plastics, usually because they perceive that they are better for the environment. The problem is how to properly dispose of them. Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as setting them out with the recycling or throwing them on top of the garden compost pile.
Bioplastics take different amounts of time to decompose based on the type of plant material used to make them. To speed the process along, they need to be composted in a commercial facility where higher temperatures are reached in a shorter amount of time. Because the majority of the population does not have access to these commercial or industrial composting facilities, many bioplastics end up in landfills. Here, a lack of light, heat and air can keep them from degrading. Recycling isn't currently a viable option either. Until the use of bioplastics becomes wide-spread, most recycling facilities can't justify the cost of accepting them.
Another concern is that it takes enormous amounts of energy and chemicals to grow and process the corn needed to make these "eco-friendly" substitutes. In addition to the large energy required for production, most of the corn used to make bioplastic has been genetically modified. To address these two concerns, some manufacturers are now purchasing green power to off-set their energy use and are offering GMO-free options to consumers.
Despite some problems, there are still situations where bioplastics are the best alternative. In the case of outdoor festivals and fairs, for example, vendors cannot usually wash or reuse disposable foodservice items. Bioplastic food containers and service ware (cups, plates, utensils, etc.) can be used, collected and eventually sent to large municipal composting facilities afterwards. Bioplastics garbage bags may also be the best option for yard and garden waste that is destined for municipal composting sites because the bags can biodegrade alongside the plant waste.
New bioplastic materials and technologies are constantly being invented, perfected and brought to the market. Eventually bioplastics will make up a large percentage of the plastics in the marketplace, helping us reduce our dependence on petroleum and reducing our impacts on the environment.
We purchase water at the grocery store using the large refillable plastic bottles. Is it safe to keep using the same plastic bottle? Thanks.
By laura from IL
If the recycling code on the bottom of the bottle says 2, 4 or 5 then it is safe for reuse but to be on the safer side I would replace every few months and be sure to wash between refills.
As we all know, the amount of plastics produced, purchased and ultimately discarded is vast. In one house alone the number of platic items used in virtually every aspect of home living is astronomical. Many plastics are bad for people's health, as well as being bad for the environment during production, and after the fact in the form of litter. It seems almost impossible to avoid plastics, but do people here have any input on how one might go about reducing the amount of plastic that comes into a home?
Check out this article on care2.com:
www.care2.com/
This website also has other great green living articles as well as an area where you can click to donate (free for you and paid for by sponsors) to different causes.
Plastic is everywhere. We eat from it, drink from it, build with it, and our children play with toys made from it. Some of us even wear it.
My husband takes the honey in the plastic bear and microwaves the whole plastic container every time he wants to use a little honey. Is this healthy or safe to microwave it so often in this plastic container?
A lot of people are saying that it isn't safe to microwave plastic. It is fine. You see, plastic is made from petroleum based sources. Over time, it out-gasses, making it brittle. The gasses that it releases aren't the greatest, but they are going to be released whether or not you microwave them.
I am guilty of doing this myself. Never thought about safety issues of microwaving the plastic. My problem was that the plastic bottle got too warm and went out of shape--it listed to one side and the bottom was no longer flat--it wouldn't stand upright.
Problem solved--I transferred the honey to an empty glass jelly jar. No more worries about the plastic container. Do the same thing and your husband can microwave all he likes.
Certain plastics are indeed carcinogenic when heated in the microwave so you probably should find out what kind of plastic container the honey is in and do a little research about it.
My other thought is that heating and reheating is 'cooking' the honey over and over again and is probably depleting the honey of nutritional value.
Might be best to just transfer the honey in to a large mouth glass jar and scoop out with a spoon.
If you have the plastic that is hard/brittle, misshapen, you have the kind of plastic advised NOT to do this with. If the plastic stays soft and pliable, it is safer. Again, to keep using the microwave, just jar it. Infact, find a bee keeper and get it FRESH. A whole different favor. By the time you buy it in the store it has been so filtered that the flavor from each 'capture of pollen' has gone elsewhere.
One more info about plastic. There was the recall on certain plastics containing the chemicals that are harmful. As with anything, there are different kinds of plastic. Even baby bottle of certain kinds were found to contain the harmful chemicals.
I myself would think that just squirting out a portion into a glass measuring cup and then microwaving would be better. That's what I do with pure maple syrup on pancake morning. I buy it in a fairly large container that stays in the frig. I just pour some into my small pyrex measuring cup and heat that way. I don't put plastic in the microwave anymore if I can help it.
Pour the honey into a glass syrup or vinegar carafe and then the plastic wont be an issue. Reheating honey over and over might cause it to crystallize eventually (like cooking sugar or syrup, I'm guessing) but glass is better all around if you ask me.
I also agree that microwaving that bear container is fine. Of course, if it is melting the container, that is not fine, but more for the mess factor than any other reason.
If the honey has been pasteurized, the reheating in the microwave is not going to make any difference to the honey, except to make it liquid.
If the honey has not been pasteurized, heating might destroy some natural "stuff" in the honey, but I personally wouldn't be overly concerned with this.
If he does it too often or too long he's going to melt your little bear! Believe me,,,my poor little bear died that way.
No, it is toxic. Try plunging bottle in hot water first. Any plastic microwaved is very toxic.
Don't do it! All the research on cancer sites tell you never to microwave anything in plastic as it releases toxins into your food. Only use glass or ceramic/porcelain.
Plastic plus microwave seems like a bad idea to me, we all get enough toxins. I'd put it into a mason jar if it were my honey er guy er both. If you don't have the squeeze thing around then no arguments can ensue. :o)
