Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere. It's in our appliances, computers, clothing, and many other everyday items. While it is sturdy and useful for some things, it is also found in disposable and edible items without our knowledge. Plastic waste is a major concern for environmentalists, governments, and organizations, as the majority of plastics are disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways. This results in polluted oceans, overflowing landfills, and ecological damage. Plastic can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, between 500-1000 years for some types, so recycling is critical to improving the environment and waste management. However, not all plastics are widely recyclable, and even biodegradable plastics need to be broken down at commercial composters with high temperatures. With that in mind, it's surprising to find out how many common items contain plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items that contain plastic | Food cans, tea bags, chewing gum, milk cartons, food packaging, personal care products, wrapping paper, tape, stickers, cigarette filters, glue, coffee cups, shopping bags, produce bags, disposable cups, cutlery, straws, lunch bags, food storage containers, liquid dish soap, trash bags, utensils, medical devices, household items, shower curtains, beverage bottles, milk bottles, water bottles |
| Items that do not contain plastic | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Tea bags
The bags themselves are often made of paper, but many are heat-sealed using polyethylene, a type of plastic. This means that tiny plastic particles are released into your drink as the hot water breaks down the plastic. These particles are known as microplastics. A recent study showed that one plastic tea bag can shed up to 11.6 billion microplastic and nanoplastic particles into your drink. These microplastics can also contaminate the environment when tea bags are disposed of, as they cannot be composted and will break down into microplastics over time.
The plastic in tea bags is often polypropylene, which is marked with a recycle number 5. This is considered a safer plastic than some others, but it is still not recommended for use with food or drink that will be heated, as it can leach chemicals. Polypropylene is an endocrine disruptor, which can cause a range of health issues, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and even cancer.
Some tea brands are working to eliminate plastic from their tea bags, such as PG Tips and Yorkshire Tea. However, it is difficult to find tea bags that are completely plastic-free, and many companies will claim their bags are plastic-free when they are still heat-sealed with plastic.
To avoid plastic in tea bags, you can switch to loose-leaf tea and use a strainer, or opt for a tea ball infuser, fillable filter bags, a French press, or a cloth-based tea bag.
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Food cans
In 2017, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) used infrared spectroscopy to test more than 250 canned foods for BPA and found that 38% of the cans had BPA-based linings. By 2019, 96% of all cans were BPA-free, but concerns remain about the substitutes used. Some companies are using naturally derived linings, such as oleoresin, which may not present the same hazards. However, can lining formulas may contain a dozen or more different chemicals, and manufacturers are not required to disclose the replacement chemicals used.
To reduce your exposure to BPA and other potentially harmful chemicals, you can avoid canned foods or choose organic products packaged in glass jars or bottles. You can also contact the producer to ask what is used in their cans and choose companies that are transparent about their packaging materials.
It is important to note that the plastic liners in cans do not impact recycling. When the metal is heated to high temperatures for recycling, the plastic liner, inks, and UV materials are separated and removed, leaving only the metal to be recycled.
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Chewing gum
However, it is important to note that natural chewing gums, which use plant-based polymers like tree sap to give the gum chewiness, have also been found to contain similar amounts of microplastics. This is likely because the act of chewing is abrasive enough to make pieces of plastic flake off, rather than enzymes in saliva breaking them down.
For those who wish to avoid exposure to microplastics, there are plastic-free chewing gum alternatives available, such as Chicza Organic Mayan Rainforest Chewing Gum, Chewsy, True Gum, and Nuud. These gums are made from natural, plant-based, or organic ingredients and are biodegradable.
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Milk cartons
Paperboard cartons, also known as gable-top cartons, are made from renewable resources and are only slightly heavier than plastic bottles. However, the process of making paper is resource-intensive, requiring significant water, fossil fuels, and chemical bleaches. Gable-top cartons are recyclable, but their plastic, paper, and sometimes aluminium layers can be challenging to separate, and recycling infrastructure for cartons is not available everywhere.
Aseptic cartons, also known as "shelf-stable" cartons, do not require refrigeration during shipping, storage, or at home, helping to conserve energy. These cartons are also recyclable, and their high-quality materials can be made into new products. However, like gable-top cartons, the separation of their components can be difficult, and not all areas accept them for recycling.
Overall, while milk cartons do contain plastic, the type of carton chosen depends on various factors, including environmental impact, convenience, and personal preferences.
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Produce stickers
There have been some efforts to address the issue of plastic produce stickers. In 2017, a BC initiative to ban produce stickers and replace them with compostable options or vegetable inks was met with skepticism and did not succeed. In 2019, major supermarkets in Britain signed on to the non-profit WRAP's "Plastic Pledge", which included a commitment to removing unnecessary plastics, including stickers on fruit and vegetables. France became the first country to ban produce stickers unless they are compostable, with the law taking effect in 2022.
To address the environmental impact of plastic produce stickers, several eco-friendly alternatives have been proposed. Compostable produce stickers made from innovative bioplastics can withstand the same conditions as petroleum-based plastic stickers and can be safely composted with fruit and vegetable scraps. Laser etching is another approach that eliminates the need for stickers by directly etching PLU codes onto the skin or rind of fruits and vegetables. While these alternatives exist, it is important for consumers to be vigilant and remove plastic stickers before composting to minimize contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Tea bags often contain plastic, such as polypropylene, to help retain their shape. Paper tea bags can also contain plastic used to heat seal the bag.
Chewing gum contains synthetic elastomers, a type of plastic.
Many food-containing cans have a plastic coating on the inside that contains an endocrine disruptor called bisphenol A, or BPA.
Sponges traditionally made from cellulose now contain plastic for durability and absorbency.
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