Plastic food packaging is fast becoming an increasing worldwide concern, due to the high amount of landfill waste it creates and the hazardous chemicals it typically contains which are harmful to both health and the environment. In this section, explore the environmental and health issues with plastic food packaging, mostly focusing on paper, plastic, and metal packaging. You will also learn how to make your own reusable packaging that is both cost-effective and attractive, so you can save money while making a positive impact on the environment.
The major problem with plastic food packaging is that it often contains recycled materials and low-grade plastic materials. Recycled materials can contain heavy metals such as lead and copper, which are known carcinogens, which must be avoided whenever possible. Reusable plastic packaging, especially polystyrene, has also been known to contain low-grade fillers and additives which Leach dangerous chemicals into the food we eat. Furthermore, food packaging with reused or recyclable materials often contains recycled plastics with a shorter shelf life; leading to a waste of energy resources, as well as greater use of natural resources. These negative effects of plastic food packaging are not surprising when you take into consideration the increased cost of food, the destruction of land through the manufacturing and shipping of food, and the adverse environmental impacts.
Plastic Food Packaging manufacturers have attempted to address some of these issues by introducing new, more durable plastics in their products. These have included polycarbonate, Low-Density Polyethylene, Low Emission Polypropylene, and Polysulfone. These plastics have helped reduce the amount of negative environmental impact associated with the production and transportation of food. However, some of these newer plastics have been linked to cancer risk.
Another significant drawback associated with the useless plastic food packaging and using other, more natural, materials is the possibility that our environment may become even more polluted due to the increased use of chemicals in our food packaging. A prime example of this is the use of harsh chemical additives in plastic food packaging. These additives have been linked to a number of negative human health problems, including hormone imbalances, immune system disorders, and cancer.
Chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics have been linked to a number of ailments, and one of them is cancer. Chemicals commonly found in food packaging can affect our health in a variety of ways. For instance, phthalates are used as preservatives in plastic food containers. These chemicals have been shown to have a feminizing effect on both men and women. This effect has been determined to occur after long-term exposure, and it has been linked to the development of testicular tumors.
The use of metals in food containers can also be extremely hazardous to our health, as well. Examples of these include lead, which has been shown to have an impact on human development in developing countries. These harmful metals are frequently added to plastic to enhance the durability of the packaging, but they can also be found in metal cans. High levels of lead have been found in some canned foods over the years, which led to a ban on the use of lead in some canned goods in the United States and other locations around the world. Unfortunately, these bans were not extended to the tin can, as that type of food packaging does not provide protection against exposure to lead. Thus, the dangers of eating tin can products have remained unchecked for many years.
Recycled plastics are a promising alternative to the use of toxic materials in food packaging and containers. These plastics can be molded into virtually any shape, including flattened eggs, soda cans, and even comical shapes such as Happy Birthday stickers. Because of recycling, these plastics can be reused in a variety of different ways. Many companies produce their own plastics from recycled products, rather than buying them in bulk and reusing them in their own production process. These types of plastics are safe and biodegradable, so they are perfect for the green movement and other efforts to make products more "green." As recycling becomes more popular, the recycling of plastics will likely see more improvement in the safety and performance of these products.
Plastic food packaging and containers have come a long way since their inception. However, some of the plastic used in food packaging and containers is still dangerous and should be banned from use if possible. For example, polystyrene is still used in soda cans, even though it is highly toxic and a leading environmental cause for cancer. If you want to help protect the planet, try switching to reusable containers that are made out of recycled plastics, rather than those that are made from new materials.
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