Plastic: it’s in our wallets (gift and credit cards) in our cars (knobs and consoles), in our offices (pens and binders), in our cupboards (cups and containers) in our medicine cabinets (toothpaste tubes and tampon wrappers) and in our toy boxes (dinky cars, balls, dolls, action figures).

 

Yet plastics are filled with toxic chemicals such as phthalates, many of which are cancer-causing, and the frightening thing is that some of them end up in our bodies. Recent research has shown many of these chemicals to be hormone disruptors in animals, and likely in humans as well. Not to mention that the production of modern plastics also releases thousands of harmful chemicals into our environment, leaching into our soil, our air, and our lakes, rivers and oceans. And that most plastics take1,000 years to break down.

 

Currently, there is a lot of research being done on recycled plastic and new generation plastics made from corn and sugar cane. But for the time being, our world is full of it, our society has become dependent on it, and it’s piling up in our landfills and oceans. 

 

It would be unrealistic to try and purge plastic from our life altogether (although some brave bloggers http://lifelessplastic.blogspot.com/ are trying), as it has become a huge part of modern life. Unless you are willing to make your own yogurt and hand crème, brush your teeth with baking powder and forgo using a computer, plastic products will probably remain part of your daily landscape. But there is a lot the average family can do to reduce its consumption of disposable plastics, which will be better for both our planet, and our health.

 

The key is awareness: think before you buy, avoid plastic products and containers when you can, and seek out some alternatives to the disposable plastics we use in day to day.

 

Here are some tips to help you and your family break your plastic habit:

 

Bags: 

Say no to plastic shopping bags and switch to cloth or recycled-fibre reusable tote bags or baskets for your big-haul grocery shopping needs, and always carry a convenient foldable reusable bag in your trunk or in your purse for impulse buys. Many stores and even municipalities are now banning plastic bags, or charging for them, which is a step in the right direction.

 

Try to cut back on take out meals (you’ll save money too), or bring your own cutlery and containers. All of those disposable plastic forks really do add up in the landfill! Plus hot food in plastic or Styrofoam containers equals leaching of toxic carcinogens into the food you are about to eat, ugh. When ordering your food, pass over your reusable glass or stainless steel containers with a please and a polite request. Or let them know you don’t want any plastic utensils, ask for a paper cup, specify no lid, and no straw.

If you haven’t already, ditch the plastic water bottles, sippy cups and baby bottles. I cringe at the thought of how many plastic water bottles end up in the landfill, plus they have been found to leach carcinogens into the water you drink. Give up bottled water and switch to tap if it’s a clean option in your city (in most Canadian cities it is) or invest in a water purifier or filter for home. Carry a stainless steel travel mug so you can enjoy your coffee or cold drink guilt free without using any disposable cups and plastic lids. Look for Bisphenol-A free plastic, glass, and stainless steel products. Born-Free, Green-to-Grow, Evenflo, Safe Sippy and Klean Kanteen and make some excellent safe bottles and sippy cups for babies, children and adults.

 

Since last year’s Bisphenol-A scare, many parents have emptied their kitchen cupboards of plastic dishes and cups. Go back to good old ceramics and glass, or tin, stainless steel, wood or bamboo if your wee one is in the throwing his bowl off the highchair phase.

Store leftovers in Pyrex glass (they go from microwave to freezer to oven to dishwasher) or stainless steel containers by Canadian companies Greentainer or Stainless Seal.

 

Avoid pre-packaged convenience foods, which typically come shrouded in plastic wrapping and bags. Instead, try to buy in bulk whenever possible: you can purchase granola, rice, beans, chips, grains, tea, spices, flour, oatmeal – a lot of your regular staples in bulk food stores, and usually save a few dollars as well. Bring and fill your own reused plastic bags or plastic or stainless steel containers (they can be weighed at the till first, and then you can fill after, so you only pay for the food you put inside). Cloth produce bags (Montreal’s Credo makes excellent ones) are great for anything dry, like onions, apples, oranges, garlic, potatoes. If you are buying goods or groceries that come in plastic containers or packaging, look on the bottom and try to buy those that your municipality recycles

 

First, shop second-hand, garage sales or accept hand-me-downs. Reusing plastic toys is better for the environment than buying newly manufactured ones. When buying new toys, look for those made from wood and other natural materials (BC’s Natural Pod has an excellent variety). There are also now some excellent toys made from recycled plastics on the market: the tea set from Green Toys and Sprig cars and trucks are a few examples. Look for natural teething toys made from wood and organic cotton and wool (Ringley Natural Teether, Organic Teething Bon Bon, available at www.kaikids.com).  At birthdays and Christmas, graciously ask friends and relatives to avoid buying your children plastic toys and instead look for toys made from wood, cloth and recycled and upcycled materials.

 

Here is where you can easily build up a collection of plastic bottles and containers that you throw out, only to buy more shampoo, lotion, mascara, contact lense solution when you next run out! With some products, you just can’t avoid the plastic bottle, but here are some alternatives. Our family has switched to razors www.preserve.com made from recycled yogurt containers and toothbrushes with replaceable heads (Eco-Dent and Fuchs, available at Grassroots. They cost about the same and work great, plus less plastic gets thrown out! Either buy your liquid handsoap or bodywash in bulk and reuse the container, or switch back to good old bar soap – no plastics involved! You can also purchase lotions and crèmes in bulk in your local natural health food store.  If you wear contact lenses, don’t buy the daily disposable lenses ones you toss into the wastepaper basket every day or two. Instead, switch to longer-wear lenses or glasses.

 

It may seem overwhelming, but I believe every step we take to conserve, reuse, reduce and recycle does help. And as parents, the changes we make in our daily family lives now won’t just cut our current consumption; it will also help shape the lifestyles and shopping habits of our children in years to come. And that truly will make a difference.

 

-- Nancy DeHart

 

Nancy DeHart is a journalist and mother of two boys under four. She and her husband own Kai Kids, a Canadian online boutique specializing in ethically-made, eco-friendly clothing and accessories for babies, toddlers, new moms and moms-to-be at www.kaikids.com . She also writes a blog on her adventures in green parenting at www.blog.kaikids.com