Smart Plastics Guide. Healthier Food Uses of Plastics

Plastics are widely used to store and package foods and beverages. Uses include disposable and reusable containers, plastic wraps, cutlery,water bottles and baby bottles. Plastic is convenient, lightweight, unbreakable and relatively inexpensive. However, there are both environmental and health risks from the widespread use of plastics.

Environmental problems: Most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable and mostly imported resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary waste. Although plastic is lightweight, it is bulky, so it takes up a large volume of landfill space.

Health risks: Use of plastics in cooking and food storage can carry health risks, especially when hormone-disrupting chemicals from some plastics leach into foods and beverages.Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals. Choose less polluting products to reduce exposure to chemicals from plastics.

What plastic labels mean?

Not all containers are labeled and a recycling symbol on a product doesn’t mean it’s recyclable. Commonly, only #1 and #2 with narrow necks are recyclable, but some communities recycle other plastics with narrow necks. Check with your local municipality or waste disposal company.

PVC: The toxic plastic Polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl or PVC, poses risks to both the environment and human health. PVC is also the least recyclable plastic.

PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner and peanut butter containers.

HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles and some plastic bags.

PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles.

LDPE: Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps and some bottles.

PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles.

PS: Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.

Other: Usually polycarbonate, used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, “sport” water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic “sippy” cups and some clear plastic cutlery. New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.

Health concerns with food use of plastics

A myriad of petroleum-based chemicals go into the manufacture of plastics. Some can leach into food and drinks and possibly impact human health. Leaching increases when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and from old or scratched plastic. Types of plastics shown to leach toxic chemicals are polycarbonate, PVC and styrene. This does not imply that other plastics are entirely safe. These plastics have just been studied more.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, can leach from polycarbonate plastic. Human exposure to BPA is widespread. A Centers for Disease Control study detected.BPA in the urine of 95 percent of adults sampled. Scientists have measured BPA in the blood of pregnant women, in umbilical cord blood and in the placenta, all at levels demonstrated in animals to alter development. Hormones stimulate certain cancers.

Bisphenol A has been found to stimulate prostate cancer cells and causes breast tissue changes in mice that resemble early stages of breast cancer in both mice and humans. One study found an association between ovarian dysfunction and higher levels of BPA in urine.

Early-life exposure to BPA can also cause genetic damage. Researchers found that BPA causes chromosomal errors at low levels of exposure in mice, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriages and birth defects. As for human data, one study found that women with a history of recurrent miscarriages had over threefold higher levels of BPA in their blood compared to women without a miscarriage history.

Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA. While none of the 11 industry-funded studies found significant effects, over 90 percent of government-funded studies did so. Adverse effects include:

• Early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females• Changes in gender-specific behavior• Changes in hormones, including decreased testosterone• Increased prostate size• Decreased sperm production• Altered immune function• Behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior.

DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) is one of several plasticizers (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible humancarcinogen, affecting the liver.

Styrene can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures,15,16 but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. Aside from exposure from food containers, children can be exposed to styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, auto exhaust fumes and drinking water.

Tips for safer, more sustainable food use of plastics

1. Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. Since chemicals are released from plastic when heated, it’s safest not to microwave food and drinks in plastic containers. Instead use glass or ceramic containers free of metallic paint. If you do microwave in plastic, use only plastic labeled “microwave safe.” Note that “microwave safe” does not mean that there is no leaching of chemicals. Avoid using for fatty foods, as there is greater leaching of chemicals into fatty foods.

2. Beware of cling wraps especially for microwave use. Instead use waxed paper or paper towel for covering foods. If you do use plastic, don’t let the plastic touch the food. For plastic-wrapped deli foods, slice off a thin layer where the food came in contact with the plastic and re-wrap in non-PVC plastic wrap or place in a container.

3. Use alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible. Use refillable containers at your local food cooperative. Bring you own take-home containers to restaurants. Bring reusable bags or cardboard boxes to the grocery store.

4. Avoid plastic bottled water unless you’re traveling or live in an area where the quality of water is questionable. Bottled water, because it is less regulated, has less-certainpurity and safety than tap water, and is much more expensive. If you’re worried about tap water quality, consider installing a home water filter or use an inexpensive filter pitcher. Reduce or eliminate use of plastic bottles to avoid landfill waste and exposure to chemicals that leach from the plastic. You can also look for new biodegradable bio-based plastic water bottles.

5. If you do use plastic water bottles, take precautions. If you use a polycarbonate water bottle, to reduce leaching of BPA, do not use for warm or hot liquids and discard old or scratched bottles. Water bottles from #1 or #2 plastics are recommended for single use only. For all types of plastic, you can reduce bacterial contamination by thoroughly washing daily. However, avoid using harsh detergents that can break down the plastic and increase chemical leaching.

Baby bottles

Use alternatives to polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Knowing what we do about BPA leaching and the real risks to children’s health, you might be surprised to learn that most plastic baby bottles and many “training” or “sippy” cups are made of polycarbonate. Fortunately there are alternatives, including baby bottles made of glass, polyethylene or polypropylene. Those made of pliable, milky-colored plastic contain no polycarbonates. Usually baby bottles are not labeled, so if you have questions about the type of plastic used, call the company’s toll-free number listed on the package. Minimize leaching of BPA from polycarbonate baby bottles. If you can’t avoid use of polycarbonates—for example, if it’s the only bottle your baby will take—then just follow these tips:

• Discard old, scratched polycarbonate baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Plastic that shows signs of wear—such as scratches or a cloudy, crackled appearance—more readily leaches chemicals. Scratches can also harbor bacteria.
• Heat foods and drinks outside of the plastic and then transfer into the plastic only after they are cool enough to eat or drink. With your food, use 4, 5, 1 and 2. All the rest aren’t good for you.

What else can I do?

By choosing safer plastics and limiting plastic waste, you can support a healthier, cleaner environment and protect your child from unnecessary chemical exposures. You can also support companies and public policies that promote safer use of plastics. For example:

• Contact baby bottle manufacturers and urge them to replace polycarbonate in baby bottles with safer alternatives.
• Avoid buying products made of PVC, used in plastic containers (#3), building materials, toys and other consumer products.
• Buy bio-based plastic alternatives if available.

Meagan's Roof Garden in New York City

We moved into our new apartment on June 4th, and result started our garden late in the season. We chose our place because of the fact that it has its own private roof space outside our window- we saw it and immediately were like roof garden! As a result of beginning late, we had to rely on starts for most things, however we did do some things from seed.

The hardest part of having a roof garden is starting it. There are a lot of materials to acquire, and then of course lug up onto the roof. Soil is by far the heaviest, and also in New York City, the most expensive item. It is close to twice the price that it is in other parts of the country, and of course organic soil, which we used exclusively, is the priciest. However, if you plan on being in the space you have for more than one year, you can look at it as an investment- soil is reusable! Although we spent a bunch on soil, we saved money in other ways. Containers can also be very spendy. We realized that nurseries throw away tons of them, and pay to do this, so most are quite happy to give them to you for free. We found a great one in Queens and didn't spend a penny on any potting containers. You are also of course recycling by doing this. Next is fertilizer, again we did this all organic- fish emulsion is cheap and the plants love it! Get a liquid form that makes the nutrients readily available for uptake. Its really important to feed your plants at least once per week if they are in containers as the nutrients wash out quickly. One thing that we learned is that it is very hard to find a form of organic phosphorus (the nutrient responsible for vigorous flower and fruit development) that plants can make use of quickly. We didn't realize this at first, so when we planted some eggplants later we did an experiment by mixing into the soil some bone meal that is really high in phosphorous. If you do this from the beginning, by the time the plants are flowering the soil will have broken it down into an available form and you will get huge fruits. Our eggplants are enormous and the plants are like little trees!

One thing that is critical for roof gardens is to have the containers raised off the roof- if you have ever walked barefoot on an NYC rooftop in July or August you can imagine how it is way too hot of a surface for plants. We simply found scrap lumber on the street and built little platforms for them. Pallets work really well too. Another good thing to do is to mix some extra perlite and either peat moss orcoco peat into the soil, this makes the soil more airy for root penetration and also the perlite absorbs and holds water that the plants can use after the soil dries as it will very quickly on hot days.

Although our garden is flourishing, we have experienced a host of problems, aphids, little larvae type creatures that got inside the stem of a beautiful zucchini plant and killed it, and rats to name a few. All of the bugs besides the larvae (we still have no idea what those things were) we were able to deal with by creating a spray made of pulverized garlic and hot peppers, mixed into water and dish soap (eco brands!). We haven't figured out how to keep rats away (they only come at night), but for some reason they only seem interested in ripe tomatoes, so we've dealt with this by each day taking any tomatoes that are close to ripe and letting them finish ripening indoors.

We eat from our garden every day! It is unbelievably delicious and is a great feeling to create a homemade salad, or to be using all the veggie portion to your cooking all from your garden. We are growing a whole bunch of different tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, eggplants, okra, arugula, watermelons, strawberries, all kinds of hot peppers, we even had corn!

Next year we are going to buy some kiddy pools and use them instead of containers so that we have more in less space, and can actually have raised beds. We are addicted! There is a larger roof above us in our building and our dream is to fill it with soil and plants over time, a dream that is shared by the many other roof gardeners in our building. Here there are the results.

Post- versus pre-consumer recycled content

A recycled-content product is an item that contains recovered materials. Recovered materials are wastes that have been diverted from conventional disposal such as landfills for another use. Recovered materials include both pre-consumer and post-consumer wastes.

Pre-consumer materials are generated by manufacturers and processors, and may consist of scrap, trimmings and other by-products that were never used in the consumer market.

Post-consumer material is an end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.

Recycled-content products may contain some pre-consumer waste, some post-consumer waste or both. A product does not have to contain 100 percent recovered materials to be considered “recycled,” but clearly the higher the percentage of recycled content, the greater the amount of waste that is diverted from disposal. Always look at the level of post-consumer recycled content in a product. As an example this book, Natural Capitalism, is printed on paper that has 100% recycled fiber content, including 80% post-consumer waste.

Some info about Fair Trade:

A lot of the products at Sustainable NYC are Fair Trade certified, here is some more info about what that really means, and why it is important:

Principles of Fair Trade:

1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers Fair Trade supports small scale producers, those at the bottom of the economic ladder or from marginalized communities that otherwise do not have access to economic opportunities or mobility.

2. Payment of a fair price

Fair Trade ensures democratically organized producer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price for their product that provides a living wage to cover the basics of food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care.

3. Democratic, transparent worker-owned cooperatives Fair Trade encourages and supports the cooperative system where each producer owns a portion of the business, has equal say in decisions and enjoys equal returns from the market.

4. Community development

For each Fair Trade product sold, the cooperative also receives a set amount of money, called the social premium, which is invested in community development projects democratically chosen by the cooperative.

5. Direct Trade

With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

6. Fair working conditions

Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited and women's empowerment, such as maternity leave, is emphasized.

7. Environmental Sustainability

Fair Trade requires sustainable production methods that respect the producer's health and surrounding environment. Harmful agrochemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are also prohibited.

iFit Cellular + Health Ear Hook by RF3

The RF3 ( Radiation Free) headset combines innovation and function to create a comfortable and healthy communication tool for all cell phones users.

RF3 Headset Features:

* Innovation : The patented Aircom 2 Technology in the RF3 headset reduces the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) level to 0.009 w/kg is the measuring standard of RF energy emitted for all cell phones and the FCC maximum SAR level for all cell phones is 1.6/ w/kg.

* Function: With the 6 way adjustable earpiece ; open/close, up/down, twist/turn.

* The RF3 headset becomes a part of the user, providing an ergonomically shaped ear hook pivots to provide the most secure fit for either the right or left ear. * By replacing the wire with AirCom™Technology, the RF3 with Ear Hook Cellular Headset reduces the possibility of radiation from reaching your head. * iFit: most Blackbery, Treo, Qualcomm, LG, Samsung, Sanyo phones with a 2.5 mm, 2 stripe plug.

* Important Adapter Information: Headset adapter is required if your cell phone doesn't have a 2.5mm headset. You will need to buy an adapter ( For iPhone, Samsung Instinct etc..). Also available at Sustainable NYC. Click on picture below:

Available in our website:

http://www.sustainable-nyc.com

Dynamo Solar Radio

How it works?

The Dynamo Solar Radio allows you to charge its 300 mah/2.4 V Ni-MH battery via solar energy or by hand cranking.

*To power on: turn the on/off/volume dial. Change frequencies by switching the AM/FM?WB switch.
Turn tuning dial to change stations.

Functions:

*Uses Solar- Energy to generates power. FM/AM/WB radio.
*Great for outdoor use.

You can get in our website:

http://www.sustainable-nyc.com

Sustainable NYC and The Earth School in the East Village of Manhattan

Sustainable NYC sponsor The Earth School community selling products and goods from organic, found, recycled and donated materials & ingredients. All proceeds benefit the Earth School, a public elementary school in the East Village, New York City.

For more information go to: http://www.theearthschool.org