By Evanza Meintjes
It's Plastic Free July worldwide, and so we thought it would be a great time to talk to someone who understands plastic and the commonly used term "BPA", a lot better than most. We asked the owner of Silicone Depot some questions to understand why plastic is bad for our family - and not just the ocean and environment, and what we should be doing to eliminate it?
Why is Silicone better than Plastic?
In simple terms: Plastics are made from oil, whereas Silicone is a polymer mostly made from sand.
Silicone is more durable, can withstand high and low temperatures and can be produced without adding BPA (Bisphenol A). When plastic is burnt it releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. When Silicone is burnt it returns back into harmless ingredients like sand, carbon dioxide and water vapour. The environmental impact of Plastic outlasts its duration of use by far.
Landfills are overfull and opening up more is not solving our single use plastic, convenience addiction.
How does Plastic affect the environment and our future?
Environmental impact:
Plastic takes 100 to 450 years to decompose, IF exposed to the right conditions. Landfills are over full and even recycling companies have dropped their buying price of recyclable plastics with almost half, because there is just too much. Recycling is also not the answer, since we are producing and using more single use plastics every year. China has stopped the importation of plastic for use of making polyester, because there is just too much available. But since it takes more water and energy to turn plastic into polyester, it is far from Green as it wastes more of our natural resources. Burning /incineration is not a viable option as it releases harmful chemicals in the air that’s poisonous to our environment, humans and animals.
The health impact on humans:
BPA is what make plastic hard. But the question is, if not using BPA, what else are they using to make a plastic hard. BPA free plastic containers and bottles is NOT the answer anymore, since new research and statistics have emerged. Plastic has only a specific life expectancy as it starts deteriorating when exposed to extreme heat, cold, chemicals and abrasive cleaning tools.
When your plastics are semi melted/burned, exposed to extreme heat, cold, microwave or dishwashing, it will damage the integrity of the plastic, causing it to leach chemicals in your food and drinks.
Research, facts and statistics:
When BPA leaches form plastic into our food, it mimics the production of ESTROGEN.
Leading to hormone imbalance, infertility, depression, weight gain, in turn heart disease, diabetes and ultimately cancer. In the last 50 years the birthrate has gone down 50% worldwide.
When you go to a fertility clinic these days, it’s not just older couples struggling to conceive anymore, it is young couples.
Although infertility is not the main reason, its still good to consider how much you are exposed to BPA poisoning in your daily life. Do you use “cling wrap, Styrofoam, plastic containers, paper cups {containing a thin plastic lining of plastic}?” Whether we like it of even realize it, we are becoming part of the plastic chain, since micro plastics in the ocean get ingested by fish, in turn we eat that fish.
They can even detect BPA present in the blood tests of a new born baby.
So, what do you hope to achieve with choosing Silicone instead of plastic?
With Silicone Depot I am hoping to reach and educate customers on the negative impact of single and long-term use of plastics on not just the environment, but human health too.
By starting to set an example and making small sacrifices we can teach our children the correct way forward. Hence “It started with a straw”
My Silicone items are all BPA free, non-porous and more durable than its plastic version.
Because they can last longer, you are making a difference since you are reusing an item for much longer than you would a normal plastic item. Some items are even foldable, so its great to help store space, travel and child safe.
Example:
Zip lock bag, single use maybe 2 times.
Silicone food pouch, can be your new 10-year zip lock bag.
{and you can cook, microwave, freeze, dishwasher it}
I also plan to expand my Eco choice range by sourcing items from local entrepreneurs offering “green” alternatives, so as to reach end users faster.
Do you have any tips and advice for families when it comes to using plastic, apart from completely eliminating it?
Even when a plastic container is BPA free, DO NOT store any food that is acidic, spicy or greasy in it, as those factors will cause chemicals to leach from the container.
Even marinating meat in a plastic container is bad as marinade contains vinegar, also impacting on the integrity and leaching of chemicals into your meat.
Also wait for food to cool down before dishing it into a plastic container.
Even better, use plastic containers for dry food items only and replace wet food items with Silicone, glass or stainless steel.
Say no to single use straws.
Say no to paper cups.
Say no to Styrofoam
Say no to cling wrap (unless biodegradable)
See full range at:
Evanza is the owner and founder of Silicone Depot. They offer baby items, home and kitchen ware, and eco choices (items that are not silicone, but still have a positive impact on the environment and humans).
See more at:
Instagram.com/siliconedepotSA
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