Plastics

Plastics are everywhere: toys, food and beverage containers, furniture and building materials. Plastic is convenient, lightweight, durable and relatively inexpensive. However, there are both environmental and health risks from the widespread use of plastics.

Take action

PVC Company Policies
Center for Health, Environment and Justice

PVC Fact Sheet and Model Policy for Governments
PDF. Guide could be used for schools, as well.

PVC Governmental Policies
Center for Health, Environment and Justice

Resources

Bisphenol A in Polycarbonate Plastics
Our Stolen Future

Healthe House
Children’s Health Environmental Coalition
Type “plastic” into the search box to find a list of articles related to plastics.

PVC: Recycling Killer, Public Health Menace
Grassroots Recycling Network

PVC: The Poison Plastic
Center for Health, Environment and Justice

Smart Plastics Guide: Healthier Food Uses of Plastics
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Quick Tips for Safer Plastics

Use glass in the microwave. Plastic can leach harmful chemicals when it is heated. For the same reason you should use a paper towel or wax paper instead of cling wrap when heating food.

Cool it down. If using plastic storage containers, make sure hot food items have cooled before placing them in the container.

Hand wash plastics. Instead of dishwashing, hand wash with a mild soap to reduce wear and tear that can promote the leaching of chemicals.

Use alternatives to plastic whenever possible. Buy and store food in glass, ceramic or metal containers. Use cloth grocery bags. Purchase toys made from natural materials. Avoid toys and teethers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) #3 and baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic #7. These plastics contain particularly harmful chemicals.

Bottle your own water. Instead of buying bottled water, test your tap water, use an appropriate water filter if necessary and bottle your own water for on the go.

Choose safer plastics - polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5) - which require the use of less toxic additives and are non-chlorinated - are safer plastics that are pliable, milky colored plastic, and are a better choice for baby bottle nipples.

Recycle or discard plastic toys, bottles and food storage containers that are worn, scratched, or cannot be identified. Replace these at regular intervals (every 6 months).

Avoid dental sealants, which may contain the hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol A, for children's baby teeth.

Use baby bottles and sippy cups made of glass, polyethylene or polypropylene. Polycarbonate is the most common plastic used in bottles and sippy cups, but it contains a hormone disrupting chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). Take precautions to protect your child’s vulnerable, developing system by finding the safest alternatives.

If polycarbonate is your only option, make sure you replace any scratched or worn bottles or cups, and heat liquid in glass or a metal pan, not in the plastic.