Five astonishing facts that will make you want to stop using plastic containers for good

Friday, July 22, 2016 by: Daniel Barker
Tags: plastic containers, food packaging, eco footprint

---

(NaturalNews) There are plenty of good reasons to stop using plastic containers, ranging from health and environmental concerns, to simple practicality in the kitchen.

Considering the facts, there's really no good reason to continue buying products packed or bottled in plastic, or to use plastic containers for food storage at home – except when there are no other options available.

Here are the top five facts regarding plastic versus glass:

Fact #1: The environmental impact of plastic is enormous – Enough plastic is discarded each year to circle the Earth four times, and the average American throws away nearly 200 pounds of plastic each year. Billions of pounds of plastic are polluting our oceans and threatening marine life, killing 1 million sea birds and 100,000 marine animals annually. Fifty percent of plastic containers are used once and then thrown away.

Fact #2: Plastics are a threat to human health – Chemicals leached from plastic containers enter our bodies and can lead to serious health issues. Many of the substances used to make plastic are carcinogens, while others cause hormonal imbalances, birth defects and developmental problems. Plastics often contain lead, cadmium and mercury, which can be absorbed by the food or drinks they are used to contain – and subsequently end up in our bodies.

Fact #3: Glass is better for the environment – Glass containers can be used many times and can be recycled to make new containers. Plastic containers are "down-cycled" instead. In other words, when you throw away a plastic bottle it will be turned into other products (if it manages to get recycled at all). Every time you buy a plastic water bottle, it is made from "new" plastic.

Fact #4: Glass is more practical in the kitchen – One of the best things about glass containers is that they can be used for storage, cooking and serving. The same glass food container can be used from the refrigerator to the oven to the dining table. Glass containers can be used over and over again, and can be repurposed for other uses. If you buy a glass bottle containing pasta sauce or juice, for instance, it can be washed and used for storing other foods once its contents are consumed.

Fact #5: Glass does not absorb smells or colors – Plastic containers not only leach dangerous chemicals into food, but they also absorb smells and can become discolored. Glass containers, on the other hand, do not have this problem. Glass containers are more aesthetically pleasing as well.

Kicking the plastic habit

Of course, it's nearly impossible to avoid all plastic packaging, but it's relatively easy to significantly reduce the amount of plastic bags, bottles and containers you buy or use.

Many products, such as bottled water for example, are available in glass containers as well as plastic. If you buy your food fresh from local sources – which you should do anyway – you can often avoid any packaging at all.

A number of foods are also available in bulk form, meaning that you can use your own recyclable containers to carry and store them. It's easy to bring your own bags for shopping so that you don't have to use more plastic bags every time you go to the supermarket.

Reducing your "plastic footprint" isn't difficult at all once you begin to become aware and start looking for alternatives. In fact, you may be amazed at how much plastic packaging you can actually avoid using once you begin changing your habits.

Many of the things plastics are used for are completely unnecessary, so why not do yourself and the environment a big favor and start kicking your plastic addiction today?

Sources:

Blogs.NaturalNews.com

EcoWatch.com

Beachapedia.org

EcologyCenter.org

TriplePundit.com