Plastic is convenient, and it is a remarkable human invention. It’s almost everywhere in our lives at this point, because of how miraculously cheap and useful it is (potentially in part, due to oil subsidies and the consumerism surrounding plastic products).
However, there are some concerns with using it everywhere, all the time. I genuinely believe that one of the most ingredients for your physical health is your mental health. If you want to minimize your exposure to microplastics in reasonable ways that integrate into your normal (or best) life, read on! If thinking about microplastics gives you unresolvable anxiety, read no further.
It is important to be aware of the potential negative consequences of exposure to plastics. A few of the concerns about high exposure to microplastics are:
- Plastics are cheaper and low quality
- Humans inhale a lot of microplastics – which can lead to various health problems
- BPA exposure has been shown to increase cancer risk
- Most plastics are sent to landfills, where they seep into soil and water
This might all sound a little alarmist – the most important thing to do is relax and know that there are some pretty easy fixes!
Here are a few ideas for how to reduce plastic in your home:
- Use high-quality glass tupperware instead of plastic tupperware!
- BPA has been found in paper towels – consider using less paper towels. You can supplement paper towels with dish clothes (I love the dish clothes from Sur La Table) or cotton reusable paper towels.
- Opt for compostable single-use tableware instead of plastic cups and plates, like Bambu or other palm leaf products! (this only applies to the times when you need single-use tableware – otherwise, of course the best thing to do is use real plates and cutlery!)
- Use dishwasher powder detergents, or tabs that don’t come wrapped in plastic – Blueland is a great option here, but there are many others!
- Use natural fibers for your bedding, like cotton or silk. Polyester is just recycled plastic, and it’s possible that most microplastics in humans comes from inhaling small polymers from fabrics and textiles indoors – like your bedding!
- Use silicone freezer bags instead of plastic Ziploc bags – there are lots of options on Amazon!
- Use a wooden cutting board instead of a plastic cutting board – contrary to popular belief, wooden cutting boards are not necessarily less sanitary. They’re also a bit prettier than their plastic counterparts too : )
- If you can, keep windows open to welcome lots of fresh air into your home – indoor air tends to have more microplastics floating around.
The goal isn’t to scare yourself out of action. Health is usually on a spectrum – it is rarely a true binary. With a few easy adjustments, we can continue living our lives and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals – even a small reduction makes a difference!
These are just a few starts – please comment below if you have more ideas for easy swaps!
Sources & More Reading:
- The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6864600/#:~:text=BPA%20exerts%20endocrine%20disruptor%20action,%2Drelated%20receptors%20(ERRs).
- https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/whopping-91-percent-plastic-isnt-recycled/
- Most Plastic is Not Recyclable – https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/greenpeace-report-most-plastic-not-recyclable/
- Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects – Published in 2023 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052
- Human Exposure to Microplastics and Its Associated Health Risks https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00053
- Which Type of Cutting Board Is More Sanitary: Plastic or Wood? https://www.allrecipes.com/wood-vs-plastic-cutting-board-7495043