By Justin and Clara Hamel
As discussed last week, plastic is everywhere. It is wrapped around our food, woven into our clothing, used to package our cleaning and personal care products, and it is used in the engineering of many household goods and appliances. The convenience of a light material that resists decay, is waterproof and is inexpensive to produce created an explosion of use over the last 60 years. However, the convenience comes at a high cost to our health and environment. The good news is you can take simple steps to drastically reduce your plastic exposure and consumption. To follow are a few easy tips to do so:
• Store food in glass or stainless steel containers. Mason jars are an easy and versatile solution and, as a bonus, they can help your produce last a few extra days.
• Keep a stainless steel or glass reusable drink container full of water with you at all times. This will reduce the likelihood of needing to buy plastic bottles while you are out.
• When available, choose foods encased in paper packaging or glass jars. Also, reducing your reliance on processed foods can greatly reduce your plastic footprint at the grocery store.
• When you shop, bring reusable bags made of cloth or canvas instead of relying on
single-use plastic bags. For produce, mesh or fabric bags are a great alternative to plastic.
• When purchasing children’s toys, consider wooden toys. Melissa & Doug and PlanToys are two great options. For teething rings, go with ones made of 100% food grade silicone or natural rubber.
• Switch to glass, food grade silicone or stainless steel containers to pack lunches. Instead of plastic baggies, embrace beeswax wraps, another wonderful and versatile option for food storage and packaging. (Bonus: We have a local business, Nothing Fancy, that creates and produces adorable beeswax wraps right here in Jacksonville.)
• Stop using straws or pack your own stainless steel straw.
• Make your own cleaning products using glass bottles.
• When possible, store toys, blankets, etc. in natural woven baskets and not in plastic tubs.
• For personal care products, seek out those housed in glass containers or cardboard tubes.
• Choose natural materials like linen, cotton and bamboo for clothing and forgo those made of acrylic, polyester and nylon.
Reducing reliance on plastics is not impossible, but it does take time and effort. Taking small but consistent steps like choosing reusable options, buying more consciously and refusing unnecessary plastics can dramatically cut your reliance on and exposure to the harmful effects of plastic. Remember, every choice adds up, and we have the power to decide if our actions will drive change toward a cleaner, healthier world.
Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
