How I Minimize Exposure to Plastics

In today's world, it is impossible to completely avoid plastics and still have the conveniences of modern life. Yes, we could make the avoidance of all plastics the top priority, but that would mean either living in relative isolation or in a culture other than modern America.

I'm assuming most of you reading this are a lot like me--I want to do the most that I can to minimize health risks and protect the environment, but I still want my computer and my adding machine and my telephone...

So I'll tell you where I've found I can minimize plastics and where I still use them.

With plastics there is a trade-off. As much as I would like to not use them because of their health and environmental effects, there are times when plastic is the best material for the job. Using my plastic computer, for example, allows me to communicate information inexpensively and with less environmental effect than using paper, which results in more people improving their health and lessening their environmental impact. If I could purchase a computer made of wood...I would! But it's not available.

I've found that all plastics are not alike. Each is more or less toxic than others. Hard plastics are less toxic than soft plastics. This is all explained on pages 76-82 in my book Home Safe Home. Some plastics aren't even petrochemicals. The plastic used to make some eyeglass frames and toothbrush handles, for example, is acetate, made from plant cellulose.

If I have no choice but to use plastic, I prefer it to be recycled and recyclable, but I'm not a big fan of recycled plastic. Yes, it gives a second life to plastic before it ends up in the landfill, but I would prefer to use materials that are renewable resources and can safely and completely biodegrade back into the earth.

Here I'm just going to give you a list of plastics I use, and plastics I don't use (and what I use instead).

The Plastics I Use

• Computer and printer
• Telephone
• Adding machine
• Fax machine
• Pens and markers
• Paper Shredder
• Food processor
• Hand mixer
• Food dehydrator
• Blender
• Weather instruments
• Food storage in the refrigerator (keeps food from spoiling the best)
• TV, VCR and DVR
• HVAC programmable thermostat
• Electric sonic toothbrush
• Portable piano keyboard

Really. That's it. I went around the house and looked and wrote everything down.

The Plastics I Don't Use

I really make a point of minimizing plastic wherever I can. I'm always looking for alternatives.

Instead of plastic...	I use...
towels (polyester)	cotton towels in the kitchen and bathroom
shower curtains	a cotton shower curtain
containers	various containers made of glass, wood, pottery, metals, or woven baskets
pushpins	recycled aluminum pushpins
bedding (polyester and acrylic)	natural fiber sheets, pillows, blanket, comforter, and mattress
furniture	furniture made from wood and natural fibers
shoes	leather shoes or rubber flipflops
clocks	clocks made from wood or metal and glass
flower pots	plain or glazed terra cotta pots
desk trays	metal basket trays to organize my office
dishes, glasses, and tableware	glass, china, and real silver tableware
rolodex	a handmade cherry wood rolodex
binders and envelopes	recycled paper binders and envelopes

Hmmm...that's not a very long list. Obviously I have more things in my house. Everywhere I look as I sit here, things are not plastic. I have a silver picture frame that holds a picture of my husband and I at our wedding. Ceramic mugs hold my pencils and pens instead of plastic desk accessories. Flowers are in a glass vase. My purse is leather instead of vinyl.

I think you get the idea...