What's Your Number?

Plastics are definitely a hot topic. Plastics are not only bad for the environment, but can also be bad for your health. There are different types of plastics and they are labeled by a number of 1 through 7. You can usually find the number inside a small triangle on the bottom of the plastic item. No plastic is completely safe, but the soft plastics labeled 1, 2, 4, or 5 are the safer forms. Number 7 hard plastics have been shown to contain BPA (bisphenol-A). BPA has been linked to some cancers and infertility.

Unfortunately and unbelievably, the 5 gallon water cooler jugs that many people use at home and at work and some children's toys are made of number 7 plastic! Dawn and I had been using a water cooler at home for years until about a year ago when I learned of BPA. We have since gotten rid of the water cooler and installed a reverse osmosis filter under our kitchen sink for drinking water. We installed it ourselves and it cost about $200 compared to the $25 a month we were paying for the water cooler and water delivery. Another easy way to avoid the water cooler is to put a water filter directly on your faucet. As far as the toys go, try your best to avoid toys that your child puts into their mouth that are made with the number 7 plastics.

Here's a few other helpful tips to avoid plastics...

1. Use glass storage containers for food instead of plastic
2. Use glass baby bottles instead of plastic (http://www.newbornfree.com/)
3. Avoid reusable plastic water bottles. Instead use stainless steel bottles (http://www.kleankanteen.com/)
4. Avoid using plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave
5. Use reusable or paper grocery bags instead of plastic

Yes, glass is more expensive than plastic, but you get what you pay for, so just do what you can!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Live well.