Recycling plastic and paper reduces environmental impact, but some materials are safer than others for reuse. Discover which plastic bottles are food-safe and how to properly dispose of hazardous items.
During the past 100 years, plastic packaging has replaced time-tested containers like glass, tin cans and wooden barrels. Plastics found a place in shipping, home kitchens and food packaging because it is durable, lightweight and relatively easy to recycle.
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Plastic is one of the most abundant materials available today. Plastic can be found in bags, bottles, cups, plates and more. It may seem fairly generic, but there are actually seven different levels of plastics.
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Styrofoam is a major environmental problem. Used in product packages and the shipping industry, the world produces tons of it each year. The fact that Styrofoam is non-biodegradable adds to the ecological impact. Landfills are filling up at a record rate and Styrofoam is one reason.
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Recycling paper saves energy, reduces pollution, preserves trees and conserves landfill space, but it is a messy process that uses caustic chemicals and produces harmful byproducts and emissions.
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On the surface, recycling seems simple and clear. It's easy to assume glass, paper, aluminum and plastic bottles can all be recycled, and for the most part that is true. Things get a little fuzzy when you discover some glass and paper, and lots of plastic, can't be recycled.
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Some plastic bottles can leach harmful chemicals into the fluids you drink from them. These chemicals include bisphenol A and phthalates. Bisphenol A interferes with the reproductive development of animals and has been indicated as a causative factor of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in people.
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According to the Progressive Bag Alliance, five billion paper bags are used every year in the US compared to 92 billion plastic bags. Both paper and plastic bags have a heavy impact on the environment.
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Plastic bags provide convenience at the store and around the home. A recent push to reduce use of plastic bags is based on information concerning their negative impacts. Reusable bags offer an affordable and durable alternative to plastic bags.
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Recycling diverts waste from landfills and helps protect the environment. Many recycled materials also offer indirect economic benefits by keeping prices low on popular products. In addition, it's possible to earn cash from your local recycling center by collecting items ranging from aluminum cans to scrap paper.
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The disposable cup has come a long way since the first paper cup made its debut in the early years of the 20th century. Both paper and plastic cups offer the convenience of on-the-go consumption without the worry of cleanup.
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Whether it is molded into a different shape, sitting in a landfill or destroying a natural habitat, virtually all of the plastic we have ever used is somewhere on the planet. And the environmental effects are disastrous.
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