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PET container group says eco-plastic PLA not recyclable with PET
From Green Right Now Reports:
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), which represents those who recycle plastic soda and food bottles has fired a criticism at the alternative corn-derivative plastic known as PLA, saying it cannot be successfully recycled with PET containers at this time.
PET containers — water, oil and drink bottles — are commonly recycled into polyester fabric, athletic wear and upholstery material. Their successful conversion requires a clean “waste stream” that is not contaminated with other types of plastics that may not meld well with PET, NAPCOR says.
NAPCOR’s current peeve with PLA (polylactide) is in response to claims by some PLA promoters that households and businesses can toss this this new plastic into their recycle bins along with the usual outgoing stream of conventional plastics, such as PET, and it will be sorted and used by recyclers.
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Tags: · biodegradable, compostable, household recycling, National Association for PET Container Resources, Nature Works LLC, PET plastic, PLA plastic, plastic reclamation, Plastics, recycled
Recycle plastics
Recycle your plastics. Both #1 and #2 plastics — your soda bottles, milk jugs and many shampoo bottles — are recyclable through your municipal service or local collection centers. Remember to rinse and empty them before tossing them into the recycling bin. And when in doubt about a plastic, leave it out so it doesn’t contaminate the recyclables, according to The American Chemistry Council.
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Tags: · Plastics, recyclables, Tip of the Day
Tests show how toxic substances turn up in Americans’ blood
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
We hear every day about dangerous chemicals in household products that are linked to cancer, infertility, autism and other diseases – yet many Americans may not realize just how many of these harmful substances they’ve actually ingested in the course of everyday living.
The answer? About 48. That’s according a study by the Environmental Working Group and Rachel’s Network, in which five leading minority women environmentalists from different parts of the country volunteered to have their blood tested for toxins. The results, say EWG experts, show that regulation of chemicals in the U.S. is weak and “antiquated” and needs a major overhaul.
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Tags: · benzene, Beverly Wright, bisphenol-A, body burden, body products, BPA, chemicals, contamination, Corpus Christi, environmental toxins, Environmental Working Group, Flame retardants, Green Bay, Jean Salone, Jennifer Hill-Kelley, lead, Mercury, musks, New Orleans, PBDEs, perchlorates, PFCs, Plastics, regulation, rocket fuel, Suzie Canales, Teflon, Toxic Substances Control Act
Phthalates in toys are gone, but replaced by what?
By John DeFore
Green Right Now
Last week was the start date of a ban, signed last summer by George Bush, that targets the use of six phthalates in products made for children. Three of the phthalates are permanently forbidden, three are subject to later study, as noted here.
The chemicals, which are added to plastics to make them softer, have been linked to hormone malfunctions and reproductive effects, particularly in boys. Because the substances’ softening quality makes it particularly likely that objects containing them will be chewed by young children, lawmakers have found risks compelling enough to institute the ban despite objections from the plastics industry. (The phthalate ban, which followed a previous ban applicable just in California, only applies to goods manufactured for use by children, which represents less than 5% of the reportedly $1.4 billion U.S. business.)
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Tags: · hormone disruptor, phthalates, Plastics, Toys, US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Label-reading, it could lead to other compulsions…
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
Like so many environmentally aware, or environmentally “sensitive”, people, I am an inveterate label reader. I know the sugar and fiber content of an array of packaged foods, from Frosted Mini-Wheats (the high fiber somewhat redeems the sugar) to Haagen Daz (good flavor with that sat fat).
As with any addiction, there’s been some collateral damage to family relationships. Only the brave and highly motivated will go grocery shopping with me. And there’s been bleed over. Having read most of the labels, I’m seeking new highs by evaluating the packaging.
This week I was distressed to find that inside my large box of crackers (from Costco) were six more boxes of crackers, each containing the different variety promised on the main container box. I don’t know what I thought would be in there. Not a jumble of crackers. But it sure seemed like some sort of paper band could have held all these boxes together, instead of the extra outer box.
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Tags: · BarbaraKesslerBlog, Costco, Lean Cuisine, Packaging, Plastics, Recycle & Reuse
Help contain plastics by knowing your plastic containers
By Kelly Rondeau
Green Right Now
It’s the holiday season, and along with the many joys that are associated with this fun time of year – cooking, baking, parties with friends and family – comes a lurking environmental problem: Toxic chemicals in everyday plastics. Plastics that seem to be everywhere in our holiday midst — in the packaging of toys, the toys themselves, our food packaging, in our holiday leftover storage containers, in plastic wrap, in water bottles — and the list goes on.
 Many valid health concerns have been raised about poisonous chemicals present in our everyday plastics, and the headlines about these toxins leaching into our food are frightening. A recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found, for instance, that food containers labeled as “microwave safe” leached BPA when heated. (See our report, “BPA turns up in ‘microwave safe’ products“.)
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Tags: · baby bottles, BPA, HDPE, microwaveable food, PETE, phthalates, plastic grocery bags, plastic recycling, Plastics, polystyrene, PVC, Rubbermaid, Tupperware
FDA says BPA plastic is safe
By Barbara Kessler
After an outbreak of bad publicity earlier this year over bisphenol-A (BPA), the plastic additive which dozens  of studies identify as a potential carcinogen and endocrine disruptor, the U.S. government promised to take another look. Its conclusion: BPA is safe.
The Federal Drug Administration had previously cleared BPA for use in an array of consumer products, such as clear plastic baby bottles, the resin lining in food cans and many other items. It promised a new review of the science after Canada proposed a ban of BPA in baby bottles and manufacturers of polycarbonate water bottles began voluntarily giving up BPA. All cited concerns over the plastics’ tendency to leach when when warmed and possible harmful effects on humans, particularly children.
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Tags: · Bispenol, BPA, Carcinogens, Endocrine Disruptors, FDA, Plastics
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