Scratches in plastic lead to leaching

Scratches in plastic lead to leaching
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Bits of plastic get into your food from containers through a process called leaching, and when plastic is scratched, it speeds up the leaching process. For that reason, be sure to throw out worn plastic items (such as food storage containers). To further avoid this toxic transfer, eat less canned food and more frozen or fresh food. Also, avoid using bottles and plastic containers that are made from polycarbonate (often marked with a number 7 or the letters PC) and phthalates (marked with a number 3 or PVC).

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Plastic could take away natural serenity

Plastic could take away natural serenity
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“We associate peace, relaxation, and good health with our coastlines,” says Brian Yurasits, Director of Development at The TerraMar Project, which raises awareness for ocean issues. Researchers at Michigan State University show that people who live near the water report less psychological distress. “People visit beaches and waterways to satisfy our natural inclination to be near the ocean,” says Yurasits. “If plastics become more pervasive in these natural places, then people won’t be able to get that same escape from reality and the stress-relief that they need.” Do you struggle with stress? Head here to learn how to relax.

What recycling numbers really mean

What recycling numbers really mean
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What’s with those numbers on the bottoms of plastic products anyways? According to a new report from The American Academy of Paediatrics, steer clear of plastics with the recycling numbers 3, 6 and 7. Those numbers directly correspond to the chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system (phthalates, styrene, and bisphenols).

Not all plastic is recyclable

Not all plastic is recyclable
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Did you know that plastic bags, straws and coffee cups aren’t even recyclable? For instance, National Geographic cites the problem with recycling a coffee cup: While the outside of a coffee cup is made of paper, there’s a thin layer of plastic inside (to protect you from getting burned and to insulate the cup from cooling too quickly). Those two different materials would need to either be separated by hand or with a special machine, and that practice is too time-consuming and expensive.

You’re eating plastic dust at every meal

You’re eating plastic dust at every meal
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No matter how clean you think your house is, a Heriot-Watt University study reveals that you could be swallowing more than 100 tiny plastic particles with every meal. So where is it coming from? The soft furnishings and synthetic fabrics all around your house, which mix with dust and then fall on your dinner plate. The scientists concluded that the average person swallows up to 68,415 potentially dangerous plastic fibres a year simply through eating.

Plastic is here forever

Plastic is here forever
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The world has produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, according to a study in the journal Science Advances. Shockingly, 6.3 billion metric tons of that has become waste, the majority of which is now accumulating in landfills and littering the ground, oceans and air. If trends continue as they are now, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills by 2050.

Plastic water bottles aren’t being recycled

Plastic water bottles aren’t being recycled
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Water bottles are made of completely recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which means they are 100 percent recyclable. However, the vast majority of these aren’t being recycled and are ending up as landfill. Current statistics show that 1 million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and that number is expected to rise another 20 percent by 2021. So ditch single-use plastic bottles and invest in a reusable bottle.

Plastic bags banned

Plastic bags banned
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Because 2 million single-use plastic bags are distributed per minute around the world, many cities and countries worldwide are banning and/or taxing their use. So jump on the bandwagon and switch up your routine with washable and durable reusable grocery bags. Reducing food waste also goes a long way to reducing plastic use. Here are 5 tips on how to cut down on food waste.

Plastic emits methane

Plastic emits methane
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A study published in PLOS One found that some of the most common plastics release the greenhouse gasses methane (the primary component of natural gas) and ethylene (a hydrocarbon gas) when exposed to sunlight. Researchers noted concerns over the scale of plastic production and waste, as these could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions over time – and these can impact climate change.

The Great Lakes are swimming in plastic

The Great Lakes are swimming in plastic
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According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the five Great Lakes provide 21 percent of the world’s supply of surface fresh water. “About 10 million kilograms of plastic flow into the Great Lakes each year,” says Jaclyn Wegner, director of conservation action at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. “The Great Lakes are critical to the wellbeing of humans and wildlife alike. We rely on this water to be clean and accessible for people to drink and for animals to not only survive but thrive.” Plastics aren’t the only things that are destroying some of Earth’s most beautiful habitats. Here are 15 places that have been ruined by tourism.

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