topic Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on. in Kitchen

Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Free2be — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:12:00 GMT

There's a NY Times article about how many countries are beginning to drown in plastics since China stopped accepting tons of it to sort and make us of. It has lost so much value in recycling that it has become an undesirable product everywhere.

I bring this to the kitchen forum because it seems that the larger percentage of plastic that comes into our home is kitchen related and the obvious fixes are not easy or realistic or will make any dent in the gigantic problem.

Living in a small hamlet, I drive 2 hours regularly to shop mainly at Costco and other stores as needed where most everything they sell is encased in some form of plastic. We use our own bags. Farmers Markets are good but not dependable on a routine year round basis.

There is a rare event happening near my Costco, a community fair where people can bring things that need to be fixed so as not to toss them in a landfill. How sad that this is not always available

I feel responsible but manufacturers are not being responsive -- yet. If they change, we all change -- but to what do we chage? Just buying a couple batteries brings plastic home, it's a bigger problem than how groceries are packaged.

Without telling somene else what they should do, do you see a way out of this? Smart people who have to deal with the mountains of it don't seem to have answers.

I don't think people buying produce or other items are very open to picking unwrapped foods from large bins (am imagining what the Costco cooled produce room could look like without the plastics). Bring your own Lock n Lock to the deli department where they'll dish you out a family meal or salad? Not likely to ever happen.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

BirkiLady — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:05:15 GMT

@Free2be If you knew how unhealthy plastics are, you wouldn't be using them at all in your kitchen! Those plastics containers you mentioned leach chemicals into your food. Best to avoid all plastics and use glass containers. Avoid the litter problem and the health problems. You have only read a portion of the plastic problem. Keep reading and stay informed.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

2blonde — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:07:42 GMT

@Free2be With all the new technology today, you might think they could come up with a type of plastic that would break down after a period of time, after it's served it's purpose.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Lilysmom — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:20:50 GMT

@Free2be, on another post in kitchen forum I asked about cleaning brushes for reusable stainless straws. Plastic straws make up 50% of the marine pollution from plastics. Beaches are littered with it and it is a serious problem marine life.

I am in Nova Scotia, Canada and our Provimce is seriously considering banning plastic bags. The issue reared it’s head when the market in China dried up for plastic bags. It is a real problem. LM

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Free2be — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:21:05 GMT

@2blonde Or return to paper-based packaging, grow more trees that reproduce quickly. I was looking at possible homes for a potential move and noticed how much farm land is being covered with new homes and expensive HOAs in my state, mostly unaffordable for new home buyers but that's for another discussion. We need more trees.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

2blonde — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:22:46 GMT

@Free2be Yes, I thought about paper too, but of course, I also thought about the trees. No easy answer here.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

ALRATIBA — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:27:42 GMT

Just like there are microbes who are "eating" oil spills at higher than expected rates ... I have no doubt that in the not too distant future "nature" will evolve to the point where plastics will be naturally broken down and return to the earth.

Plastics are petroleum products.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

RoughDraft — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:45:31 GMT

@Free2be There is hope, if the planet can hold on.

https://www.popsci.com/bacteria-enzyme-plastic-waste

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Daysdee — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 21:05:16 GMT

Plastic bags have been banned here for few years. First it was just grocery stores where you had to take your own reuseable bags, but now it is all stores---drugstores, Marshall's, dept. stores, etc.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Desertdi — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 22:13:53 GMT

BATTERIES take 100 years to decompose in a dump

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

chrystaltree — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 22:19:24 GMT

With all the great minds and reseachers in this country, you would think that someone would have invented a biodegradeable, toxic free plastic substitute by now. Perhaps they will when the oceans get filthy enough.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

DiAnne — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 22:34:50 GMT

I go to a local chain for produce specifically because I can pick out my produce and not buy items prepackaged in plastic.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

GingerPeach — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:27:30 GMT

There are a lot of grocery stores in my area that sell produce from displays and none of the individual apples, potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, etc. are in plastic.

Yes, there are some pre-cut items that are in plastic, like celery with the ends cut off that are in an open-ended plastic bag, or some specialty mushrooms, or those "baby" carrots. I believe the only store around here that sells only plastic-covered groups of produce (without any other display) is Trader Joe's.

I don't shop at TJ because I like to choose my own produce individually.

I wish everyone had that option. It sounds as if some don't.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

sissel — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:43:36 GMT

It's not just plastic now aluminum foil is said to be bad for us too.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Nightowlz — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 01:28:24 GMT

Have you seen the Choose Paper Water Bottle? It breaks down in under 3 wks. It's lined with minerals that break down in sea water. Made from recycled paper plus 100% plastic free. The cap biodegrades in a year.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

jannabelle1 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 01:49:29 GMT

Plastic containers of any kind will most likely end up in a land fill. I have 2 plastic containers left in my pantry for flour and sugar - I've switched to glass containers and find that my favorite brand (Pyrex) online is usually cheaper than the favorite plastic container offered on the Q. JMO, but glass containers are recycleable and better than the plastic stuff any day.

. . .

debic — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 12:22:59 GMT

@Free2be wrote:
@2blonde Or return to paper-based packaging, grow more trees that reproduce quickly. I was looking at possible homes for a potential move and noticed how much farm land is being covered with new homes and expensive HOAs in my state, mostly unaffordable for new home buyers but that's for another discussion. We need more trees.

They've been doing that for decades. We drive through one every year on our way to Oregon. Miles and miles of trees. I'm sure there are many more.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Shanus — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 12:31:30 GMT

@Free2be wrote:
There's a NY Times article about how many countries are beginning to drown in plastics since China stopped accepting tons of it to sort and make us of. It has lost so much value in recycling that it has become an undesirable product everywhere.

I bring this to the kitchen forum because it seems that the larger percentage of plastic that comes into our home is kitchen related and the obvious fixes are not easy or realistic or will make any dent in the gigantic problem.

Living in a small hamlet, I drive 2 hours regularly to shop mainly at Costco and other stores as needed where most everything they sell is encased in some form of plastic. We use our own bags. Farmers Markets are good but not dependable on a routine year round basis.

There is a rare event happening near my Costco, a community fair where people can bring things that need to be fixed so as not to toss them in a landfill. How sad that this is not always available

I feel responsible but manufacturers are not being responsive -- yet. If they change, we all change -- but to what do we chage? Just buying a couple batteries brings plastic home, it's a bigger problem than how groceries are packaged.

Without telling somene else what they should do, do you see a way out of this? Smart people who have to deal with the mountains of it don't seem to have answers.

I don't think people buying produce or other items are very open to picking unwrapped foods from large bins (am imagining what the Costco cooled produce room could look like without the plastics). Bring your own Lock n Lock to the deli department where they'll dish you out a family meal or salad? Not likely to ever happen.

@Free2be. Unfortunately many people feel if they recycle, they’re doing their duty to help the environment when in fact, all the plastic containers just go to our landfills.

When I’m shopping at our chain food stores, I try to put my veggies in the cart as they are...no individual plastic bags. The baggers think nothing of it. I also choose paper bags over plastic at checkout.

It’s not much, but I feel I’m helping a little bit with a huge problem.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Shanus — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 12:38:01 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
@Free2be If you knew how unhealthy plastics are, you wouldn't be using them at all in your kitchen! Those plastics containers you mentioned leach chemicals into your food. Best to avoid all plastics and use glass containers. Avoid the litter problem and the health problems. You have only read a portion of the plastic problem. Keep reading and stay informed.

@BirkiLady Yes, after sending back my Lock N Lock because the newer containers stain, I read that when in the microwave, the chemicals from the containers (most plastic ones) do enter the food. This goes for plastic wrap as well.

I’ve been to replace the plastic storage pieces w/ Pyrex or other glass containers for reasonable prices at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s or Target.

Yes, they’re heavier & you have to be more careful re: chipping, but I’m not poisoning my family.

Re: Plastics -- this cannot go on and on.

Free2be — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:32:39 GMT

I've also not bagged produce especially if it has a protective skin as a barrier between the surface and the part I'll be eating or othr hands touching. One bag to hold a bulb of garlic is nuts.

I never heat in plastic containers and prefer glass for the cleanliness of it (no stains, no absorptions).

I live in an small HOA where we take our refuse to our small refuse center where they will not accept any plastic that isn't "1" or "2". Probaby because manufacturers who can reuse can only use specified types.

I loved reading about the new paper water bottles. Excellent.

Plastics isn't just about produce when small and large appliances are mostly plastic, chairs, etc.

Thanks for all of the replies.