Choosing Safe Plastics
We know that plastics aren’t so healthy for us, but going without plastic in the home, particularly in the kitchen, is a bit impractical for most of us.
The Environmental Working Group has released its latest tip sheet helping us choose safer plastics for use around the home. If you’re wondering what I’m on about (plastics are safe, right?) the EWG briefly explains why plastics may be hazardous to our health.
Most plastic products are numbered (usually near the recycle symbol or on the bottom somewhere nondescript). As a quick guide, the EWG recommend staying away from plastics numbered 3 or 7 or labelled PVC or PC.
Plastics labelled 1, 2, 4 or 5 don’t contain the chemical bisphenol-A and are better choices than the ones above.
The tip sheet also include safe handling ideas like not microwaving plastic (even ‘microwave safe’ plastic) and not to let babies chew plastic products like the remote control.
Of course, the safest alternative is to use as little plastic as possible, and the tip sheet gives some alternatives to common plastic products around the home.
If you’re interested, check out the Environmental Working Group for a whole range of free downloadable guides on safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to common family purchases.
Have you read these posts?
- Choosing a Mortgage that’s Right for You
- 8 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Home
- choosing (or making) the perfect gift
- Do You Buy Garbage?
- tip tuesday–making supermarket shopping fun
SAVE MONEY AND TIME ON THE GROCERIES
