Super Eco

Photo credit: to01, flickr

Keeping up with the shifting scientific and political sands of regulating plastics can be a full-time job. (We know—we're busy keeping up with it, ourselves!) It's hard to remember what's been reported as fact, what's been reported as fiction, what's currently under investigation and even what's being disputed between regulatory agencies.

It's Monday, so let's keep things simple. Here's what you absolutely need to remember about plastics.

1. It's not plastic itself that's questionable; it's the additives in it.
2. Two ubiquitous additives that we know are toxic to our health: bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates. If you see those terms, don't compromise; avoid those products.
3. Other additives in plastics have simply not been studied enough for anyone to say whether they are safe or not with any certainty. In the United States, chemicals are generally allowed for use until proven harmful, and unbiased, scientifically valid studies are slow coming to the table.
4. We know that heating plastics in the microwave or using them to hold hot foods increases the likelihood of both known and unknown toxins leaching into the food. The simplest solution: don't use plastic containers for food and drinks.

It's clearly simpler to avoid plastics than to worry about which kinds are safe in which situations. We've come up with plenty of ideas, tips and tricks for easing the transition to a plastics-free lifestyle.

• Easy kitchen greening: Ditch the plastic 
• An open letter to plastic: Please go away
• Using plastic wrap safely
• Back to school without PVC
• Best to worst takeout containers