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You Are Here: Wellness Mama Blog Natural Home The Dangers of Plastic

The Dangers of Plastic

Katie - Wellness Mama 94 Comments Updated: March 20, 2017 This post contains
affiliate links

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It seems to be a common theme in history that the things that lead
to great progress and convenience also come with a big price. This
seems to be very much true with plastic products and packaging.

There is no denying that inexpensive plastics have made many

aspects of food and water distribution much easier (though I would
argue that this is problematic as well), but emerging research and
data from decades of increasing use of plastics suggest that we
need to seriously reevaluate our plastic usage.

Personally, Im convinced that our health and the health of our

planet would be much better off if we drastically reduced our use of
plastic. Heres why:
Health Problems with Plastic
Certain chemicals in plastics, like Bisphenol-A (BPA), have gotten
media exposure for their potential health problems but theres much
more to the problem that a few isolated chemicals.

BPA
BPA is often added to plastics to make them more durable, but it
was once given to animals like cows and chickens to cause them to
gain weight before slaughter. BPA is known to disrupt hormones
and can mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, leading to weight
gain and hormone imbalance.

From The Journal of the Yale School of Environmental Studies:

There is also now abundant research that links BPA and

phthalate exposure to such human health concerns as
deformities of the male and female genitals; premature
puberty in females; decreased sperm quality; and increases
in breast and prostate cancers, infertility, miscarriages,
obesity, type 2 diabetes, allergies and neurological
problems, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

It is widely known that plastics from food packaging can leach into
food and enter the body. The CDC reports that over 92% of people
who were tested had detectable levels of BPA and other plastic
chemicals in their bodies (including newborn babies).

Estrogenic chemicals found in many common products

have been linked to a litany of problems in humans and
animals. According to one study, the pesticide atrazine can
turn male frogs female. DES, which was once prescribed to
prevent miscarriages, caused obesity, rare vaginal tumors,
infertility, and testicular growths among those exposed in
utero. Scientists have tied BPA to ailments including
asthma, cancer, infertility, low sperm count, genital
deformity, heart disease, liver problems, and ADHD. Pick a
disease, literally pick a disease, says Frederick vom Saal,
a biology professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia
who studies BPA.

Phthalates
Phthalates are also found in many plastics and in high levels in
indoor air. The European Union banned them in 2005 and many
other countries have banned them as well.

Phthalates are considered to be especially harmful to men and

boys, especially those exposed in utero. They are linked to immune
system impairment, reduced testosterone, infertility in men and
many other problems.

Plastics and the Planet

To go all Captain Planet for a minute, plastics are literally taking
over the earth at a terrifying rate.

Dr. Alan Christianson, an expert in endocrine health, speaks the

drastically rising rates of obesity in humans and in many other
animal species (including wild animals whose diets have not
changed). In his upcoming Adrenal Reset Diet book (I highly
recommend it), he explains how many factors can contribute to
these problems, but that they all share the trait of negatively
affecting the endocrine system, especially the adrenals.

The chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors, and this

common thread may explain why we are seeing these problems in
many species of animals around the world.

When we consider how long it takes for plastic to break down, and
the high levels of plastic pollution found even in areas not inhabited
by humans (like the ice and water of the Antarctic), we can start to
understand how big of a problem plastic pollution can be.
UV light and the salt in seawater cause microscopic
particles of plastic to emit toxic chemicals such as PCBs
and DDT. When ingested by many types of marine species,
these can be mistaken for estradiol, a sex hormone, causing
a variety of symptoms related to endocrine disruption.
Additionally, the chemicals tend to bioaccumulate in
organisms as they move up the food chain, and can
eventually lead to tainted populations of fish that humans
regularly consume.

These sorts of problems have led Charles Moore, an

oceanographer and racing boat captain who played a
significant role in discovering and publicizing the great
Pacific Garbage Patch, to argue that plastic pollution has
become a more urgent problem for ocean life than climate
change. The sad thing is we thought Antarctic waters were
clean, he told the Australian Associated Press after the
Taras findings were announced. We no longer have an
ocean anywhere that is free of pollution.

With widespread plastic usage, it is likely that these problems will

only get worse. Reuseit.com reports that:

Over 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide.

Consider China, a country of 1.3 billion, which consumes 3
billion plastic bags daily, according to China Trade News.
About 1 million plastic bags are used every minute.
A single plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
More than 3.5 million tons of plastic bags, sacks and
wraps were discarded in 2008.
Only 1 in 200 plastic bags in the UK are recycled (BBC).
The U.S. goes through 100 billion single-use plastic bags.
This costs retailers about $4 billion a year.
Plastic bags are the second-most common type of ocean
refuse, after cigarette butts (2008)
Plastic bags remain toxic even after they break down.
Every square mile of ocean has about 46,000 pieces of
plastic floating in it.
Plastics are widely considered safe by regulatory agencies, but not
because they have been tested and proven to be safe. In most
cases, this just means they have not been tested at all or that
industry sponsored tests have shown them to be safe in small
levels.

Where are These Most Commonly Found?

Different types of plastic chemicals are found in various types of
plastics. This chart from the Ecology Center shows some of the
most common chemicals and their sources:

The documentary Unacceptable Levels points out many of the most

prominent sources of plastic pollution in our homes.
I know some people reading this are defaulting to the oh please,
everything is going to kill us anymore, this is just alarmist and fear
inducing, mindset, and I dont blame them. It is hard not to feel like
everything is out to get us sometimes, but I truly believe that plastic
exposure might be the cigarettes of our generation.

It was once considered absurd that smoking could be unhealthy,

and there were even campaigns claiming that more doctors
preferred one brand of cigarettes to another. Soda was once
marketed as a healthy drink for small babies. Regulatory agencies
once considered now-banned chemicals like DDT safe for use and
there were even ad campaigns promoting their usage around
children.

We now look back and laugh at the idea that smoking is completely
safe and laugh perhaps that is how we will think of plastic in just a
couple of decades. (Update: A reader brought to my attention that
the soda ad was actually a hoax designed to make fun of other poor
advertising from that time- though I found it used as an example of
vintage advertising on several reputable sites. I have verified the
authenticity of the other two ads and decided to leave the soda ad
but disclose this information)

What Can We Do?

Unfortunately, plastics take a really long time to break down and the
high levels of plastics in landfills, oceans and even remote areas of
the planet paint a rather bleak picture of the future for plastic
pollution.

One big thing we can all do is to reduce the amount of plastic

products we are buying and using. This will reduce our own
exposure to plastic pollution, our planets plastic load, and will often
save money as well. Some great ways to reduce plastic exposure:

Start using a glass or stainless steel water bottle in place

of disposable plastic water bottles (this is my favorite). Even
better, fill your water bottle from a re-usable stainless steel
water filter that will also help reduce chemical exposure from
water.

Switch to reusable grocery bags instead of plastic or paper

bags. These are widely available at many stores or you
can make your own from old t-shirts. Bring lightweight mesh
bags to the store to use for produce.

Stop buying processed foods that are packaged in

plastics. This is a huge step for your health on its own, but it
will also reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce each
year. Shop at farmers markets and use reusable bags. If it is in
a plastic bag or a box, just dont buy it.

Replace plastic bags and plastic food storage containers

with safer reusable options. Plastic bags, plastic wrap and
thin plastic storage containers are major sources of plastic
exposure. Switch to glass or stainless steel for storage, or use
an unbreakable option like silicon. I like this silicon storage
available here (use the code WMX10 to get 10% off)

Buy wooden or metal toys for children instead of plastic.

(They last longer too!)

Bring your own glass/metal bottle or thermos when

buying drinks away from home. Dont get takeout food in
 Styrofoam containers which are a major source of plastic
chemicals and waste.

Consider using cloth diapers instead of

disposable. Heres what we use.

Use glass and metal dishes, silverware and bakeware in

place of plastic.

Recycle whatever you can!

Sources:
The Problem with Plastics Yale
Ecology Center Plastic Task Force Report, Berkeley, CA, 1996.
Centers for Disease Control Report, National Report on Human
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, 2001.
Goettlich, Paul, What are Endocrine Disruptors?, 2001
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health
and Human Services, National Center for Environmental Health.
Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental
Chemicals. 2009.
Yang, C., Yaniger, S., et al. Most Plastic Products Release
Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem that Can be
Solved. Environmental Health Perspectives. July 2011. 119(7), 989-
996.

Have you ever thought about how much plastic is in use in

your familys daily life? What suggestions do you have to help
reduce it? Share below!

Filed Under: Natural Home

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This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

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Reader Interactions
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Reader Comments

1. Andrea says:1
Going plastic-free seems overwhelming at this moment, so perhaps
a little at a time. I have two questions:
1. We buy a lot of milk in plastic 1-gallon containers. I dont see our
family of 8 going without milk, so what could be some alternatives
there?
2. What are your thoughts on simply using non-BPA plastic, for food
storage and such?

o Katie - Wellness Mama says:1.1

1. We get milk from local farmers if we get it- it comes in glass
jars and jugs and we return them each week. This reduces a
lot of waste as well.
2. Some are decent, but most just replace the BPA with
another harmful chemical. We use silicon, metal or glass for
storage.

Betsy says:1.1.1
I agree drinking milk straight from the cow is the best
milk. Also using glass jars/bottles is also how we got our
milk while I was growing up & straight from the cow
not that watered-down stuff they have at grocery
stores today.

Kat says:1.1.2
I thought that was illegal. None of the farmers around
here do it

Ali says:1.1.3
Is silicone free of all harmful chemicals?
 Wellness Mama says:
I wrote about it silicone
here: https://wellnessmama.com/25952/silicone-
safe-for-baking/

2. Bee says:2
Thank you for such a great article. The use of plastic nowadays is
almost used in everything and it is so easy to obtain as well. Even
warming up food in plastic is not good either as well as the
styrofoam, as mentioned in the article. In addition, the investment of
purchasing reusable bags helps the environment and pays off in the
long run. I have also found it to be so useful because some stores
give incentives to use the reusable bags by reducing a small
amount off your bill, which pays off in the long run and saves money
as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. A great reminder in
evaluating what we use daily and what we take for granted.

3. Megan says:3
Weve been using mason jars in our home instead of plastic bottles
and tumblers. I love how rustic they feel and knowing that Im not
poisoning myself OR the environment. <3.
 o Betsy says:3.1
I have recently begun using mason jars for storing so much of
my stuff seeds, nuts, xylitol, quinoa, etc. and my fresh
juices from my juicer & different left overs, etc. They are
higher and not spread out like the usual bowls I had always
used before so can put more in the frig or cabinets.

o Sosaidh Eilis says:3.2

EVERYTHING tastes better if you drink it out of a mason jar!!
Especially milk.. Yummy! How I miss drinking milk..lol

4. Sarah says:4
We love buying frozen fruits and veggies to have in fridge whenever
we need them, but they are all in plastic bags..what do you
suggest? Buy fresh then freeze?

o Katie - Wellness Mama says:4.1

Yes.
 o Betsy says:4.2
Ive tried various frozen fruit brands but found that they just
dont taste like the real thing to me so ive stopped buying
frozen fruits. And cant remember when I last bought frozen
veggies.

As for fruit or veggies I freeze if not eaten soon enough.

And they taste so much better than the typical frozen varieties
in grocery stores.

5. Elle says:5
This was a great post! Thanks as always for all of the helpful
information

I have a random question that I have been meaning to ask. My

fiance and future in-laws LOVE restaurant food (as do I), and while
we are grain free diet at home, it is SO hard when we go out. Do
you have any suggestions on what to eat at restaurants while still
remaining healthy and on the diet? Thanks!

Alsodo you have any good recommendations for a substitute for

tortilla chips? I cant get my fiance to stop eating them! I am so tired
of nagging him LOL

-Elle
o Wellness Mama says:5.1
For chips, I like kale chips or cheese chips. When eating out, I
like sushi (although it still has rice unless you actually get
sashimi). I hear Brazilian-style steakhouses are a dream
come true for real food lovers, but I havent been to one
myself. Supposedly it is one big parade of high-quality meat
with a generous salad bar thrown in for fun. I love Italian food
but it is hard to find Italian (restaurant) food that is grain-free.

Betsy says:5.1.1
Ive tried the kale chips but mine just havent turned out
right yet.
But recently tried the cheese chips & love em. Maybe
its a good thing I only recently found the recipe for em -
. lol

By accident I found that a little bit of the cheese chips

were left on the plate after I had sliced a Green apple
onto it and one slice tasted really good then I found
out that it was the partial cheese chip that was so good
with the apple.
So I sliced another apple (later) and put cheese on top
of each. This time I didnt let the cheese get crispy as i
should have so next time I plan to put the cheese first
then cook until about ready then put the slices of apple
on top before cooking longer. I think Ill prefer the crispy
apple (not cooked so much) with the crispy cheese
chips Ill figure it out.
 And just FYI I have found that using the Toaster Oven
is fantastic for baking snacks or just a little bit of
anything (Im single so this works great) such as
zucchini pizza bites which I eat a lot of now.

o Betsy says:5.2
check out Beanitos chips. check the ingredients to make
certain you can eat them they change per different type of
chips.

But they are made from beans so dont over-do or youll get
the same reaction as when you eat beans lol

o Lisa Wolfe says:5.3

At most restaurants I find they will allow for substitutions, so
that I end up with a protein and lots of vegetables. The only
aspects I still have little to no control over are what kind of oils
the foods are cooked in and likelihood that meats are factory
farmed.

o Rachael says:5.4
Cauliflour chips!!! So much better than tortilla chips!
6. Kimberly says:6
Do you have product suggestions for packing school lunches in,
instead of plastic containers? Also, sippy cup suggestions for
toddlers that are not plastic? We have thermos stainless cups but
the straw piece is very difficult to get clean.
Thank you!

7. tamara says:7
What can you use as an alternative for baby bottles and nipples?

o Katie - Wellness Mama says:7.1

There are glass or metal bottles and natural rubber nipples.

8. Jamal Colaire says:8

Would you consider using BPA-Free plastic bottles instead of
ordinary plastic bottles?
 o Katie - Wellness Mama says:8.1
Most research Ive seen is now showing that BPA free isnt a
good alternative either since the BPA is just replaced with
another chemical that can also be harmful. Ive used glass or
metal bottles.

9. Meghan says:9
Thanks so much for this article, Katie. Here in California plastic
shopping bags were just outlawed which is a good first step, Id say.
Im curious, though, what to use in place of plastic wrap and dog
cleanup bags which in a big city are sort of a must-?

o Jamie says:9.1
We use old newspaper or magazine or old books we dont
read instead of just throwing it. Hope it helps.

10. Melissa says:10

 I had another wake up call about plastics after I purchased a box of
unbleached wax sandwich bags. I was really trying to reduce our
plastics exposure, but to my dismay I realized that I was transferring
everything FROM plastic (nuts, for example) into these wax bags. I
guess I have more work to do. I am pretty motivated though. I am
very interested in endocrine health for my family. Will certainly
check out Dr. Christiansons book!

11. Julia Compaan says:11

This article sums up exactly why my husband and I started
Container Emporium, an online retail store devoted to safe and
healthy food storage using glass, ceramic and stainless steel
containers. I always cringed at the idea of heating things up in the
microwave, especially in plastic. Ever open up a coffee pot after its
done brewing? That smell just turns me off!

o Terri says:11.1
Just checked out your website. It looks like a great resource
for safe food/overall storage. Thanks so much for providing
this information to us

12. Catherine says:12

Thank you for this post, Katie! This is a topic that I am extremely
fired up about right now. So much so I developed a Bottle Free
 until 2015 pledge to commit to not using plastic water bottles for
the rest of the year. Thank you for discussing this important topic!

13. Shonna-Lee says:13

Hi, I have been on a mission to reduce plastic in my familys life but
have found that at my childrens schools and daycare they will not
allow alternatives. I tried to send my daughter to daycare with a cup
to drink out of instead of a plastic water bottle and they carried on
quite a lot. I even had glass jars to store her homemade
yoghurt.they refused to feed it to her. Sandwiches must be
wrapped in plastic food wrap. I am really angry and enquired in our
country town as to other childcare services that might allow me to
use alternatives to plastic but they all refused saying it was policy
and if the child dropped a container then it may a danger to them
and other children. I am so angry that they cant even consider
anything other than plastic. They all look at me like I am a weirdo. I
feel that the mother knows best and that they cant recognize a
new culture of parenting which includes caring for the planet as well
as family health. This new idea of packaging my childrens food in
other ways other than using plastic frightens them. Do you have any
suggestions that can help me? I talked to them about the dangers
of plastics on childrens health. They look back at me like I am
going overboard. They sprout their rules and policies back to me
verbatim. I dont know how to wake them up into reality. Plastics are
bad for our health and bad for our planet. PS. I live in Australia.

o Steph says:13.1
Would you be able to try stainless steel with them? We found
stainless steel drinking cups for our kids at Indian grocery
stores. If you dont have that kind of place in Australia, Im
 sure you might be able to find something online. Just be sure
the rim is rolled so no one can complain about sharp edges
if they are looking for excuses.
Montessori preschools actually tend to encourage the use of
real items like glass they have pouring activities and such
with real glass pitchers, etc. and are great, developmentally
for kids, if you can afford it.

Shonna-Lee says:13.1.1
Thanks.I did just go and buy a stainless steel drink
container from the health food shop here. That ticks one
boxnow I am trying to find sandwich wrapsthey had
reusable ones.but guess whatthey were PLASTIC. I
am going to a larger regional city to shop in about 6
weeks time so I will hopefully find some more
alternatives there. Thanks for your ideas

Taryn says:
Beeswax wrap!

o Alissa says:13.2
Hi Shonna,
Have a look in organic/health shops. Yesterday I saw a brand
named Husk in an organic shop in Melbourne
(beaconsfield). Looks like plastic, light & breakproof. I found
 them online.
Hope that helps!

Shonna-Lee says:13.2.1
Thanks.later on tonight I will jump online and have a
look at what they have.I really appreciate your help
with that

14. Cherie says:14

Hi Katie! This topic is a huge part of my familys beliefs. For the past
6 years now, weve been using reusable shopping bags (and
produce bags), storing leftovers in glass, not bought a single
disposable water bottle and cloth diapered 2 children. We barely
use paper towels, a roll lasts months and any plastic bags that do
come into our house from breads and other foods go in the
recycling.
Sometimes I get fed up , feeling like Im the only one caring about
these things. Why doesnt everyone in North America follow these
guidelines? I recently started buying biodegradable garbage bags to
use for our trash. Their intent is for compost foods, but the garbage
men havent complained as of yet. Not like we have a huge amount
of garbage for our family of 5, but I felt bad using 2-3 plastic bags a
week. Our city has a great recycling program, so that does help
cutting back on trash in the landfill. I do wish there were more glass
options b/c recycled plastic pellets are a huge problem in the ocean.
And it stinks that the food initially comes in more plastic options
than glass.
We live in such a throw-away society!
I try to buy groceries that dont come prepackaged, but its tough. I
 may ask the staff at the bulk store if I can bring my own containers
(like mason jars) to buy nuts, spices, grains, ect.

Im glad Im not the only one living by these guidelinesLove your

site!

15. Bele says:15

Great article. We now take paper bags and glass jars when
shopping at the markets or bulkfoods place. Weve replaced our
plastic dish washing brushes and sponges with natural brushes and
old cotton clothes cut up into squares and Im currently researching
the best natural toothbrushes.
I was wondering if silicon safe to cook with?

16. JoAn says:16

How safe is silicon? Have you ever researched it? Are all brands of
it safe? I cant find much info on it. Thank you for all your hard work,
Katie.

17. Maria says:17

Cherie,

Bringing your own containers to the bulk section is allowed where I

live. Seeing people with mason jars or other types of containers is
 becoming more common. Only once did I have a cranky cashier
question whether I included the weight of the jar on the label
indicating the charges which I did no biggy. Told her to weigh
the whole thing in her little scale that is used for her to ring up
produce. (Dummy)

Keep on!

18. Jess says:18

What are your thoughts on the kids plates that are made from
recycled milk jugs? We are about 90% plastic free, but have run
into trouble in looking for plates and dishes for our LO. He isnt big
enough to be trusted with glass plates (still very amused by his
ability to make things fly off the table!), so we have been looking for
other options. Our go-to right now is the Ooga silicone divided
plates and bowls, but they are quite expensive. In my search for
green, kid-safe tableware, I keep coming across the milk jug ones
and they have great reviews, but I am leery about them since they
are still plastic and will be used to hold food. Have you looked into
these at all?

o Betsy says:18.1
Ive been using Green Wave bowls but they also have plates
at webstaurantstore.com/green-wave
It is a restaurant website but anyone can order. They also
have Green Wave square plates and in smaller quantities.

[i dont use the bowls all the time but love having this to use
occasionally & not feel bad about using them]
19. Cari says:19
What do your kids drink out of at home? I have too many little ones
to use glass safely, and I cannot seem to find quality stainless
tumblers. Some have rolled lips that catch food and grime, some
are reported to rust or have a metallic taste or residue. Any
suggestions? Thanks!

P.S. My husband, a functional medicine chiropractor, posted an

article on phthalates the same day you posted this article.

o Katie - Wellness Mama says:19.1

Heres the ones we use from Radiant Life
Catalog: http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/stainless-
steel-tumbler/beverage-glasses/?a=96418

20. Jenn says:20

Great article Katie!

Just wanted to point out that the baby soda ad is

fake. http://hoaxes.org/weblog/comments/start_cola_earlier_says_t
he_soda_pop_board_of_america
 o Katie - Wellness Mama says:20.1
I mentioned that in the article

21. Evan Brand says:21

Thanks for writing this up. Its up to us to deny plastic and
eventually it is going to take government action to remove plastic
from our lives.

We can make a big difference as individuals, but I think its a bigger

problem than we can tackle alone.

Thanks Katie! If youd like to check out a podcast I recorded with a

Marine Biologist who lived in the middle of the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch for a month studying the accumulation, its episode
#93 of my show.

Take care,

22. Kait says:22

San Luis Obispo, CA prescribed a no plastic bags policy so grocery
stores only use paper & must charge 10 cents for each paper bag. I
love how its motivated so many to use our re-usable bags. I hope
that more communities will lobby for this!!!
23. Katie says:23
We just sat down as a family and watched the documentary Plastic
Planet. Id highly recommend this in order to get a picture of the
scale of the plastic crisis!

24. Edie says:24

Im interested in knowing how you chose to use silicone as an
alternative to plastic. Ive just assumed it would end up being just
like plastic, touted as safe at first and then found to be dangerous.
However, since you are using it, I really want to know about it.
Thank you so much.

25. Lisa says:25

We have some wraps that we TRY to
use: http://store.kidskonserve.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=27 Its
hard to get my 15 year old to take them to school because she likes
to throw everything away no matter how shes been raised lol.
They are BPA free, but I wonder if they are still safe??

What about when you make your own cosmetics and bath
products? What do you put them in?
26. Denise says:26
Where can I find a good plastic free baby bottle nipple and pacifier?

27. Gabbrielle says:27

How would you suggest freezing foods? Ive been using plastic
freezer bags

28. Laurie says:28

Katie, thanks for this article. I would love to hear what you do/your
perspective on freezing food and plastic alternatives. I use
glass/stainless steel everything when I can, but when it comes to
freezing all my homemade broths, fruit/veggies from the garden,
etc. I feel squeamish about putting them all in plastic freezer bags
and containers. Would love a better option and wondering if you
have one!

29. Gloria says:29

 Do you know abaut the zojirush brand,if they use bpa or other kind
of dangers chemics? Thanks

30. Anabel says:30

I was wondering what you would use instead of mason jar lids that
are lined with BPA? I have so many mason jars, but have stopped
using them with lids since I found out about the BPA.

Thanks!

31. PJ says:31
I have to wear a plastic retainer every night after getting my braces
removed. I try to limit my plastic use everywhere else, but it really
bothers me that Im spending hours with plastic in my mouth. What
do you recommend I do about this? The orthodontist said I
absolutely have to wear it. Your advice would be much appreciated!

o Christa says:31.1
PJ I have the same problem. Ive been researching this
because I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease
an autoimmune disease. Ive been trying to figure out why my
body is doing this. Ive been wearing a plastic retainer every
night for the past 7 years! Always wondered/felt they must be
bad. Still researching, but so far have found that they could
 have BPA in them, or/as well as PMMA, an acrylic resin. Im
going to check with my orthodontist to see what type of plastic
they use. Ick. kind of scary!

S. Kramer says:31.1.1
Christa, there was a series recently by Dr. Tom OBryan,
Betrayal Series, the AutoImmune Solution Theyre Not
Telling You. Episodes 1 and 8 had at least one
interview with someone who had Hashimotos. The
recordings are available. You can for sure find Episode
1 on YouTube and you can Google Betrayal Series
Episode 8 for the interviews.

Basically, there is hope for people with auto-immune

diseases. Healing is possible. The solution, believe it or
not, lies in the gut. Theres a lot of new information on
gut health, the microbiome, and the Functional Medicine
approach.

32. Alexa says:32

What about to go coffee containers? Do you have any suggestions
for an alternative to to go coffee cup containers I can buy?

o Katie - Wellness Mama says:32.1

 Heres what I use: https://wellnessmama.com/3695/hydro-
flask-review/

o Amanda H says:32.2
Dollar store has instant coffee in glass

33. David says:33

Sounds like the verdict is that were all dying.

Seriously, you cant avoid even half of these things unless you
leave modern civilization. Short of some technological
breakthroughs that would fundamentally reform how we produce
products so that we dont have these problems, were not going to
escape them, unfortunately.

I got pretty wrapped up in all this kind of health stuff for a long time,
but eventually realized that it only fosters fear. There are some
really basic stuff that can be done to help decrease exposure, and
thats fine, but, by and large, you cant escape it.

34. Jennifer says:34

Katie,
 We have made a lot of switches in the past 4 years throughout our
home, including majors ones in our kitchen such as glass for
drinking, baking and food storage. I recently purchased stainless
steel water bottles and sippy cups for my kids. We use wooden
cooking utensils. Our bakeware is not the non stick kindI believe I
purchased NordicWare. What else would you recommend for
baking sheets? Also, in terms of food storage.we still use plastic
baggies for snacksI know this is horrible. What do you use for
yours kids snacks on the go? Is there a container you recommend?

Thanks,
Jennifer

o Cari says:34.1
I bought stainless half sheet pans from Webstaurant. You
may be able to find them on Amazon as well. Weve had a
hard time ditching the baggies too. Sorry I cant help you
there.

35. Tanya Skinner says:35

Hi Katie,
I run a daycare. Im looking to rid of plastic plates and cups. Do you
have any go-to products/websites that are good, yet priced
reasonaso so I can purchase these items for these little ones to use
daily for all my serving times?
 o Katie - Wellness Mama says:35.1
Radiant Life Catalog carries a lot of items that weve
personally switched to, such as stainless plates and cups.

36. Monika says:36

Ive been limiting plastic when possible and Ive also been
experimenting with homemade recipes for beauty and cleaning
products. I noticed that several recipes on this site link to plastic
containers (such as the deodorants, pain lotion bar, lip balms &
lipsticks). Is this because they arent food items? Are they safe to
use?

Ive also heard that anything containing essential oils should not be
kept in plastic but Ive also heard that as long as the oils are diluted
in a recipe it would be okay. Is glass the only option?

Thanks

37. Jamie says:37

Katie, I just have a ridiculous question. I am trying to avoid all kinds
of plastic, but how about the plastic we use for our garbage bins in
our house? What do you use? Thanks!
 o Katie - Wellness Mama says:37.1
I havent found a good substitute for that yet.

38. Otavio says:38

Hello there! Very interesting article. I am concerned with my teeth
retainers, though. I am not sure what they are made of, probably
plastic, and if so, what kind of plastic. My biggest concern is; is it
safe? What about the metal in it? Is it worth to wear them every
night (actually Im going to see if I can use it less often becuse I
read that the continuous regular usage should be for the fisrt 12
months, and I have been using for more than that)? Thank you, I
would appreciate a proper response.

o Berna says:38.1
I am wondering the same thingI just got braces off and I
have the plastic retainers and Im really worried about it as
well.
39. Mani says:39
Hi Katie ,Great article,
This has inspired me to build houses and do interiors with less
plastic .
Please help me to find more study material in this regard.
Thank you

40. Connie says:40

Should I repackage sour cream, cottage cheese into glass when I
get it home, or has the damage already been done? I repackage
dry goods into glass.

41. Annie says:41

It is REALLY hard to completely avoid plastic in food packaging.
What do you do about meat? Even when you go straight to the
butcher, the butcher paper is lined with plastic.

42. Jennifer says:42

 I know this was already asked, but what about the freezer? I like to
freeze veggies for the winter and all our farm raised meat comes
sealed in plastic. Any ideas?

o Wellness Mama says:42.1

It is definitely better at cold temperatures than when plastic is
heated, but some of the plastic chemicals can still transfer to
the meat. It is really tough to find a way to get quality meats
without plastic of some kind, unfortunately.

43. Joe says:43

My wife and I just purchased stainless steel drinking straws; these
are obviously re-usable but must be carefully cleaned < totally
worth it when you consider the number of plastic straws which get
used *once* then discarded.
Great article and thanks to those who responded with even more
tips and suggestions!

44. Sarah Dyer says:44

I reuse plastic bags from the grocery store as my trash bags. I like
the idea of switching to reusable grocery bags but then I would just
have to buy plastic trash bags Unless someone has a better
idea?! Thanks for the great info as always!!
 o S. Kramer says:44.1
Christa, there was a series recently by Dr. Tom OBryan,
Betrayal Series, the AutoImmune Solution Theyre Not Telling
You. Episodes 1 and 8 had at least one interview with
someone who had Hashimotos. The recordings are available.
You can for sure find Episode 1 on YouTube and you can
Google Betrayal Series Episode 8 for the interviews.
Basically, there is hope for people with auto-immune
diseases. Healing is possible. The solution, believe it or not,
lies in the gut. Theres a lot of new information on gut health,
the microbiome, and the Functional Medicine approach.
Actually, I just discovered Katies Wellness Family Summit
and Danielle Walters video (Module 13) on Auto-Immune
Disease. If you havent seen that video, you might want to
check it out.

Sarah, as for using the plastic bags from the store for the
garbage, I do the same when I manage to buy more than I
anticipate when I take along my re-usable bags. I do buy only
in glass whenever possible and compost whatever is
compostable, That really cuts down on what goes to the
landfill.

45. Bria McKinnon says:45

Looking around me I think I have to get rid of more than half of my
familys possessions. I will start with kitchen and eating utensils
first, but I am overwhelmed when I look everywhere else. All my
kids toys, toothbrushes, plastic boxes and containers.. Is acrylic
 bad too? I want to be completely plastic free. My son will be
heartbroken when he sees me getting rid of all his toys. Thanks for
the eyeopener.

46. Lori says:46

Been saying all of this for years and my friends and family think Im
crazy! Ha! It is an important topic and there are some easy
solutions like the ones you suggest. Thanks so much, Wellness
Mama!

47. Bria McKinnon says:47

So I have gone through my kitchen and thrown out any plastic I can
live without until I can replace it. I bought a bunch of stuff at the
thrift store and then discovered pyrex is made with a small amount
of aluminum! I already got rid of all my aluminum foil so this really
shocked me. I have lots of pyrex! What are your thoughts on anchor
hocking, made with soda lime silicate? I am thinking ceramic might
be the best option overall. Now for the kids, I threw out anything
they have a habit of chewing on. I thought I was doing great with my
cloth diapers, but I realized they are made with PUL, another plastic
product, and even the snaps! So really, I want to live a life without
plastic, but everywhere i look I am surrounded! My last grocery trip
was very interesting to say the least.

48. Bria McKinnon says:48

 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/bisphenol
Have you read this? Apparently, it is nothing to be worried about. I
still find it important to limit our use since it isnt biodegradable, but
are we overreacting? I hate not knowing the truth.

o Wellness Mama says:48.1

Actually working on a response to this but there are several
flaws, including that actual exposure is much higher than the
safe amount in this report but measuring methods are
flawed and some sources of exposure are discounted. I
agree there is so much info on both sides, and it is
definitely something I will continue to write about

49. Jen says:49

Hi there! I am wondering if you or anyone else has found a good
non-plastic system for storing breastmilk. I like to have a supply in
the freezer for nights with the grandparents and other outings but
havent found anything other than the plastic storage bags. Thanks
in advance

o Hannah Ransom says:49.1

You can use mason jars!
50. Steven L says:50
This site is very helpful. I just wish that this awareness could be
extended to other sites all over since this concerns all human
beings. Many people are ignorant about how dangerous plastics
really are and they have greatly embraced the use of plastics in
their household mostly because plastics are cheaper. This therefore
comes back to the little children who are going to get affected
unknowingly. Governments must get involved to address this issue
since they have a wider audience and are responsible for the
wellbeing of their citizens. We need to work together in order to
save ourselves.

51. Annie says:51

Hi, thanks for all of the great info on this site! I am wondering about
the link to the reusable mesh grocery bags. They appear to be
made out of polyesterwhich is plastic, isnt it? Perhaps muslin
bags would be better?

52. Ginny says:52

Hi Katie,

Im a new follower and have learned so much from your website. Its
a little overwhelming and I have so far to go to get my little family
 going in the right direction especially with my husband kicking and
screaming the entire way but I have a quick question
regarding water bottles. My husband works in the oil fields in Texas
he is in the worst kind of heat for 8+ hours per day. He goes
through a 24 pack of water bottles easily each day. Im
overwhelmed with the prospect of how to change that, but now Im
very concerned about the risks of him drinking so much water from
toxic containers. I know this is a pretty unique situation but any
thoughts/ideas on what can be done? Thank you!

o Wellness Mama says:52.1

Wow- that is a lot of water! I would think that would get
expensive over time too. Would he consider stocking up on
some insulated metal bottles like Hydroflask? He could fill
several of the big half-gallon ones with ice water and they
would stay cool all day, even in high heat, and would avoid
the plastic. Might save money in the long run too

53. Amanda H says:53

I love my pyrex ! However it still requires a plastic lid and they break
down after a while.. Ive seen the wax cloth covers but they dont
look like allow stacking so well.. what do you recommend? Also, for
certain dishes that need roasting in an oven to retain moist texcutre
what do you recommend? Glass casserole dishes? Advice would
be greatly appreciated.
54. Niti Shah says:54
Hello Katie,
What do you have to say about Plastic Retainers? Orthodontist
says it is medical grade and is absolutely safe but am scared to
have that sitting in my daughter;s mouth for 8-10 hours every night.
I try to do my best living naturally and eating whole foods.
I try to avoid plastic in daily life but how can I avoid this?
Thank you for awesome posts always!

o Wellness Mama says:54.1

Im actually researching some options for this right now.
Hopefully will have a post about it soon.
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