Kitchen

[chrystaltree]

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.

[DiAnne]

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

[GingerPeach]

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.

[sissel]

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

[Nightowlz]

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.

[jannabelle1]

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]

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@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.

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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.

[Shanus]

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@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.

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@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.

[Shanus]

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@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.

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@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.

[Free2be]

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.