Omar Khalid
While beans are not typically associated with plastic, there are a few connections between the two. Firstly, some people have reported finding small pieces of hard plastic in their canned beans. These pieces are likely food-grade plastic from the canning process, which accidentally made its way into the cans during manufacturing. Although embarrassing for the company, this plastic is generally considered safe for consumption and is not a significant health hazard. Separately, beans, particularly black and white beans, have been studied for their potential use in manufacturing biodegradable plastics. The protein in these beans can provide higher elongation and tensile strength compared to other materials, making them promising candidates for more sustainable plastic production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic found in canned beans | Food-grade plastic from the canning facility |
| Plastic type | Hard plastic |
| Plastic detection | Metal detectors or X-rays |
| Plastic beans | Biodegradable plastic made from bean products |
| Bean bag fillers | Expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), micro-beads |
| Sustainable plastics | Bioplastic polymer, polylactic acid (PLA), BeaNused® |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic found in canned beans
Canned beans are a convenient option for those who want to save time in the kitchen. However, there have been concerns about the safety of canned beans due to the presence of plastic in the beans themselves, as well as the packaging.
Some people have reported finding hard plastic in their canned beans, which is likely a result of the manufacturing process. This plastic is food-grade and safe for consumption, but it highlights a quality control issue that could be addressed to prevent future occurrences.
The bigger concern with canned beans is the presence of BPA, or Bisphenol A, which is a chemical commonly used in plastics. BPA has been linked to potential health risks, especially for infants, pregnant women, and those breastfeeding. While the use of BPA in canned foods has declined, with many companies transitioning to alternative liners, it is not always clear what these new linings are made of, and they may not be much safer than BPA.
To avoid the risk of consuming BPA, consumers can opt for dried legumes, which they can cook from scratch, or choose canned beans packaged in glass jars or Tetra Paks. While these alternatives may be more expensive, they offer peace of mind for those concerned about the potential health risks associated with BPA.
Additionally, consumers can look for brands that offer BPA-free cans, such as Eden Organic in the USA. By being mindful of the packaging and choosing alternatives when possible, consumers can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals like BPA.
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Plastic made from bean products
The production of biodegradable plastics from bean products has been an active area of research. The aim of these studies is to explore the suitability of different bean varieties in manufacturing plastic. The two types of beans that are most commonly used in this process are black beans and white beans. Both these beans are of the Phaseolus vulgaris L. variety, which are known to have existed in prehistory in South America.
The black bean variety used in these studies is known for its high resistance to viral diseases in warm areas and its high yield. On the other hand, the white bean variety is used due to its commercial importance and its history of being improved through agronomic experiments. The white bean starch has a ratio of amylose to amylopectin structure of 70/30, while for the black bean the ratio is 95/5.
The process of creating plastic from bean products involves preparing the beans by precipitation at a pH of 4.5 to create a soy isolate with 90% protein. Alternatively, a soy concentrate can be prepared by eluting soluble components from defatted soy flour, resulting in 70% protein and about 18% carbohydrate content. The bean preparations are then moulded at 20 MPa and a temperature not exceeding 140°C for 7 minutes. The resulting plastic materials have different mechanical properties depending on whether they are formed from soluble protein preparations or whole flours.
The addition of boric acid to the blend has also been studied, with the aim of improving the mechanical properties and water absorption of the moulded plastics. Gamma radiation has been found to be useful in increasing the tensile strength of the product. The water absorption of the plastic materials can be reduced by irradiating the starch component before inclusion in the composite.
Overall, the research demonstrates that bean products, specifically black beans and white beans, have the potential to be used as raw materials for manufacturing biodegradable plastics.
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Bean bag filler plastic types
Bean bags are a favourite for comfy seating in many homes. They are a nice change from regular chairs and sofas. Bean bags are great because they change shape to fit your body, making them cosy and relaxing. The type of filling used in a bean bag is important as it determines how comfy, durable, eco-friendly, and supportive the bean bag is.
The majority of bean bags are filled with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beans, which are lightweight and moisture-resistant. EPS is a rigid plastic material that is quite similar to styrofoam. EPS beads are composed of 98% air and range in diameter from 3 to 5 millimeters. They are also very affordable. However, EPS is not biodegradable, and polystyrene beads are hard to recycle.
Another option is expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads, which are a type of thermoplastic polymer. EPP is more commonly used in Asia than in the US and Europe. It is a very robust and durable material that is also extremely resilient. When crushed or distorted, EPP beads quickly revert to their original shape and dimensions. They also don't lose volume as quickly as EPS beads and don't have a strong odour. However, EPP beads are susceptible to heat and fire, and they break down when exposed to oxygen.
Microfiber or polyester fiberfill is another option for bean bag filling. This filling is made from soft, light, and hypoallergenic synthetic fibers. It is versatile, eco-friendly, and usually cheaper than polystyrene beads or shredded memory foam. However, microfiber or polyester fiberfill can get flat over time, which makes the bean bag less supportive.
Memory foam is a newer option for bean bag filling. It responds to warmth, moulding to accommodate the shape of your body, which makes it very comfortable and supportive.
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Plastic packaging and harmful chemicals
Plastic packaging has been found to contain thousands of harmful chemicals that can seep into food and drinks and subsequently enter the human body. A study by Martin Wagner, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, found up to 9,936 different chemicals in a single plastic product used for food packaging. These chemicals can affect the secretion of hormones and metabolism, with some acting as endocrine disruptors.
Bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic additive, is one of the most common chemicals found in plastic packaging. Despite being deemed safe for food contact by the Food and Drug Administration, evidence suggests that it is an endocrine disruptor linked to breast and prostate cancers, infertility, and metabolic disorders. Phthalates, another prevalent chemical in plastic packaging, have been associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, and interference with male genital development.
The production process of plastic packaging also contributes to the presence of harmful chemicals. Manufacturers use various additives, such as colorants, softeners, and heat stabilizers, to modify the properties of plastic. However, these additives, along with impurities and by-products, create a complex mixture that even chemists struggle to fully understand.
The long-term risks associated with exposure to these chemicals are just beginning to be understood. In addition to the health issues mentioned above, there are concerns about their contribution to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems. Some consumer advocates urge the phasing out of risky substances that come into contact with our food.
To minimize exposure to harmful chemicals, consumers are advised to avoid certain types of plastic packaging. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding plastics with recycling symbols 3, 6, and 7. Plastic products labeled "greenware" or "bio-based" are considered less harmful but may not be entirely safe. Glass containers, cartons, and paper packaging are recommended as safer alternatives.
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Sustainable plastics from coffee grounds
Coffee grounds contain cellulose, a key ingredient for making bioplastics. According to a study by engineers at Yokohama National University, around 10% of the dry weight of coffee grounds consists of cellulose. Coffee grounds can be used to make plastic composites for a range of products. The use of coffee grounds to make bioplastics reduces coffee waste going to landfills, thus reducing greenhouse gases.
BeaNused® is a company that manufactures sustainable materials by mixing recycled coffee grounds into plastics, including bioplastics, renewable and recycled polymers, and ocean waste. The benefits of BeaNused® materials are that they can be sustainably manufactured, using what would have been a waste material and creating a circular economy. BeaNused® materials also reduce the amount of plastic needed to make a product, typically replacing up to 30% of plastic in a product with coffee grounds.
In a study published in the journal Cellulose, researchers used a catalyst to oxidize and break down coffee beans' cell walls to extract cellulose from spent coffee grounds. The resulting microscopic cellulose fibers were uniform in structure and could be easily mixed into polyvinyl alcohol, a polymer used to produce biodegradable plastics. The results suggest that spent coffee grounds are a viable substitute for wood for making cellulose nanofibers.
Another study by Srinivas Janaswamy, an associate professor at South Dakota State University, demonstrated how spent coffee grounds could be transformed into biodegradable films that might one day replace plastics. Janaswamy's research focuses on creating biodegradable alternatives to plastics using agricultural byproducts, such as avocado peels and corn stover. The potential for plastic-replacing films from widely discarded but plentiful and sustainable spent coffee grounds remains exciting for value creation.
In addition to coffee grounds, other bean products have also been studied for their potential in manufacturing plastics. For example, black beans and white beans have been found to be potential raw materials for manufacturing biodegradable plastics by compression moulding. The protein black bean compound (BP) has been shown to have higher percentage elongation and tensile strength compared to other materials studied.
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