Plastic is known for the harmful chemicals it contains, its poisonous effects on the environment, and the waste it produces. Plastic is an increasingly familiar material in our lives and is in most products. However, the adverse effects of plastic outweigh the positives.
Plastic dishware is an environmental disaster. They are from petroleum, which has led to deforestation and habitat destruction in many world areas, including right here in America. The process of manufacturing plastic dishes requires toxic chemicals like BPA that can leach into your food or drinks. And when you’re finished with them, they don’t biodegrade – meaning these things will be around for a long time if we continue to use them at current rates. It’s not just about saving our planet either – this stuff has been shown to cause cancer and interfere with hormones in mammals who consume it or breathe air polluted by its incineration or decay!
What Are Plastic Plates Made Of?
Plastic plates are a durable synthetic material called polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. Polyethylene terephthalate is a polymer found in plastic bags and bottles and in the production of textiles. The way it’s been processed creates an inexpensive, robust product with excellent clarity and gloss levels, making them perfect for the food industry.
The composition of this material is such that it can withstand extreme temperature changes without breaking down, so they’re trendy with manufacturers who require their products to have specific temperature ratings. This property also means they’re not suitable for microwaves because prolonged exposure to high heat will cause the plate to melt and warp, making them unusable for serving food on!
Is Plastic Harmful?
Plastic has been touted as the best material for manufacturing products and packaging for decades. Still, problems are becoming more apparent as more of the world’s plastic ends up in the environment.
Consider the bird and fish deaths resulting from the six billion pounds of plastic produced every year. Even small amounts of plastic can harm the environment: one study found that plastic particles can absorb toxins from the water and poison small animals who ingest them.
BPS And BPF In Plastic Plates
BPS and BPF are two chemicals that help make plastic more durable. BPS is a chemical widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics in products such as water bottles. More recently, there have been concerns about the safety of this chemical because it may disrupt hormones and affect reproductive systems.
The Impact Of Estrogens Through Plastic Plates
Estrogens from BPA and other chemicals in plastics can not only be absorbed by our bodies, but also affect our brains, behavior, and physical and mental health. This chemical is of potent endocrine disruptor, which can cause lasting and adverse effects on both males and females.
What Are Other Options Than Plastic Plates?
We have all seen the plastic plates commonly used for parties and dinner parties. They may look nice, but they are not environmentally friendly. That is why you can find alternatives at the local grocery store, like ceramic plates. These plates are from ceramic, not plastic, and they are more durable, which means they are more resistant to heat, which means more of the food you are serving will stay crisp and hot.
Is Melamine Dishware Safe?
Melamine dishware has been around for a long time. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to clean. The biggest concern with melamine dishes is safe to use in the microwave or oven. Some people are concerned about whether it contains lead-based paint, which was used on some of the early models of melamine dinnerware back in the 1970s and 1980s. However, most modern manufacturers have replaced this paint with safer alternatives that meet FDA requirements for food contact surface materials.
Modern melamine dishware is safe because it doesn’t contain any bisphenol A (BPA) plasticizers found in other plastics like polycarbonate containers and baby bottles.
Is Trash Pollution Harmful To Humans?
It is becoming more normal for humans to be exposed to trash in many different ways. Trash can be in the water we drink, our food supply, on the ground, in landfills, and even inside homes. Some of these exposures are not as harmful as others, but some seem to impact human health significantly. For example, if someone drinks contaminated water, they may get sick or die from drinking it because they could ingest bacteria, giving them diarrhea or other stomach problems.
Solid Reasons You Should Stop Using Plastic
For one, it’s terrible for the environment. It carries hundreds of years for plastic to decompose, and in the meantime, it pollutes our oceans and landfills. Second, plastic is toxic. When melted down or burned, it can release harmful chemicals into the air and water. Finally, using plastic is terrible for your health. Plastic can leach chemicals that can disrupt your hormones and potentially cause cancer. If all of that isn’t convincing enough, consider this: by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean! So if you enjoy doing your part in preserving our planet and keeping yourself healthy, ditch the plastic and go green!
Conclusion
There are many benefits to getting rid of your plastic dishware. The first is the environment. Wind and water currents disperse plastic into the oceans, where it begins to break down into tiny pieces. Fish and other ocean animals ingest these small pieces of plastic and end up on our plates. Get rid of plastic dishware, reward yourself with a new set, and help save the planet from pollution!
