Plastic is everywhere. And chances are pretty good your toy room is chock-full of the stuff, especially after the holidays.
It’s used in obvious items like tooth brushes and water bottles, but it’s also found in the packaging and production of less-suspected products, like toilet paper and sponges.
Not only is plastic toxic to produce, but many plastics also contain toxic BPAs, which are harmful to you and your kids.
You can take steps to wean your family from its dependence on plastic.
How do you do it?
Here are 4 simple places to remove plastic from your kid’s lives, along with some suggested alternatives.
- The Lunch Room. Get rid of the plastic lunch boxes, plastic baggies, plastic drink straws and plastic water bottles. Plastic just is not necessary for a healthy and convenient DIY lunch. Kids Konserve makes stainless steel, recycled aluminum and cotton waste-free lunch kits. The designs are cute and stylish, there is very little waste, and aside from the BPA-free lids for the stainless steel food containers, there is no plastic! Easy for the parent, cute for the kids and great for the environment!
- In the Kitchen. Take a look inside your refrigerator. Notice what you use to wrap sandwiches. What’s holding your milk or orange juice? Probably plastic, and definitely unnecessary. Plastic may be an easy way for companies to sell their products, but we don’t need plastic toxins or waste in our lives. When possible, buy fresh products, and skip the unneeded packaging. Wrap the sandwiches in recycled aluminum foil, wash it and then reuse it. Buying milk in glass containers or cardboard containers. The less exposure to plastic, the safer you, your children, and the planet. And your kids won’t even notice.
- Toys. Okay, you might be rolling your eyes right now, and I do not blame you. But it is possible. I know you have plastic toys invading your house. I do too! Start buying toys made of FSC certified wood, organic cotton, recycled content and wool. The bells and whistles of plastic toys are nice, but not necessary. The more open-ended the toys are, the more creative and imaginative the play. They may be more expensive, but they are longer-lasting and, who knows, may one day become heirlooms! I didn’t say eliminate, just begin seeking out alternative toys, and less plastic will enter your child’s life.
- Tableware. Plastic kids cups, spoons and serving ware are common in most homes, mine included. Don’t replace the worn out ones with more plastic; choose stainless steel. The Think Baby set from The Soft Landing is a great option. Use glass, and teach your children to hold the cup with two hands and drink at the table. It is possible, as I can personally testify. Een my two year old can manage it! Because melamine is not necessarily a safe alternative and because bamboo has also been debated, my vote is for ceramic plates, when possible.
Avoiding plastic altogether reduces your risk for BPA-exposure. If children are accustomed to reusable water bottles, stainless steel tableware and handmade wooden toys, then they learn to use – and hopefully to choose – these items for themselves in the future.
Green and Clean Mom is a Premier Content Partner of SustainLane. You can read more from her at Green and Clean Mom, where she writes about how going green is sexy, sassy and fun. Sommer is a social networking and marketing consultant and passionate mother and teacher. Find her on twitter as @greenmom.
Deborah H. says:
This is one of the best, succinct 'going plastic-free' posts I've read. Great job. I also like enamel cups for kids. I get the camping espresso cups from REI for little toddler hands to practice drinking out of a cup. I got a bunch and gave them away in a little wooden goody bag at my 2 year old's b-day party.
Candita C. says:
I love your blog. As a fellow greenie trying to change the world one home at a time. I really appreciate you!
D F. says:
Great post, but using aluminum foil, especially reusing it, is not any better for you than using plastic baggies. In fact, it can be worse because many tend to heat up food in the foil thus releasing toxins in the aluminum.
D F. says:
But Greg, there ARE indeed many proven findings that aluminum itself is classified as toxic.
I suppose mercury is good for you, too...
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/hydro/al.htm
"There are over 2000 references in the National Library of Medicine on adverse effects of aluminum. "
"Aspects of aluminum toxicity.
Hewitt C.D. – Savory J. – Wills M.R.
From: Clin Lab Med (1990 Jun) 10(2):403-22
Attention was first drawn to the potential role of aluminum as a toxic metal over 50 years ago, but was dismissed as a toxic agent as recently as 15 years ago. The accumulation of aluminum, in some patients with chronic renal failure, is associated with the development of toxic phenomena; dialysis encephalopathy, osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy, and an anemia. Aluminum accumulation also occurs in patients who are not on dialysis, predominantly infants and children with immature or impaired renal function. Aluminum has also been implicated as a toxic agent in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease, Guamiam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and parkinsonism-dementia. "
D F. says:
"Aluminum
As with the other elements, aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body, and has been linked to serious illnesses including osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances and memory loss.
Aluminum has also been widely associated with Alzheimer's disease. People who have died from Alzheimer's disease have been found to have up to four times the average amount of aluminum accumulated in the brain's nerve cells.
Antiperspirant
Antiperspirants contain aluminum that is absorbed by your body. It's best to avoid it all together and use simple soap and water instead. Deodorants aren't as bad as antiperspirants, but I would also avoid using them unless it was made from some form of baking soda.
Water
Aluminum-contaminated water is another significant concern, as studies have found that Alzheimer's disease is more common in regions where levels of aluminum in drinking water are highest.
To find out whether you may be at risk from aluminum and other toxins in your water you'll need to have your water tested by a reliable source. I've worked with AquaMD, a top-notch water-testing agency, to create the "Mercola's Recommended Water Tests"--and to make them affordable compared to other sources--so you can ensure the safety of your tap water today.
Other Common Sources
* Aluminum cookware: Although aluminum pots are probably less problematic than the sources mentioned above, I personally would not use aluminum cookware.
* Aluminum foil
* Over-the-counter drugs: These include many antacids, anti-diarrheal drugs and drugs used for pain and inflammation.
* Several douche brands
* Some baking powders: Most baking powders contain aluminum as an additive, but health food stores carry non-aluminum varieties.
* Refined foods, refined flours, baked goods, processed cheeses, and common table salt "
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/12/27/toxic-metals-part-one.aspx
D F. says:
Well for those of you who believe everything that the gov't tells you is safe, is indeed safe, go ahead and keep doing what you do. Contrary to your belief, sir, I am a highly educated woman who just happens to be a mother, so I don't have time to scour through research and point it all out for you. I grabbed the few quick links I could find readily, with the last one being quite good. Dr. Mercola is a brilliant man who goes against the medical/gov community and speaks the truth about issues. Generally, the items he has for sale on his site are the only things people like you can pick at. I suppose I should make sure that I haven't made any typos or you will surely expose me for an idiot. I so sorry you have nothing better to do with your time than argue with me, would it not have been simple enough to read and dismiss my comment? If you don't believe it, then you don't believe it. I'm not here to convince you.
D F. says:
Amazing that the ones who blindly trust the gov't are the first to say that the others are the ones not thinking for themselves. Perfect example of sheeple.