Alternative to plastic products

Plastic is everywhere!

Plastic is used in a variety of products. It’s considered to be cheaper, durable, and easily available. Most of the items we use every day contain plastic - water bottles, stationery items, lunch boxes, and so on. However, when it comes to the environment and even our health, plastics can be extremely harmful and life-threatening.

Plastic - Environmental impact

Plastic is non-biodegradable which means it cannot be easily broken down by living organisms. Many plastic items either end up in landfills or worse, in the ocean posing a threat to marine life. Despite the pollution caused by plastic waste, they continue to be used and manufactured at an alarming rate.

Plastic - Impact on our health

Besides being eco-destructive, plastics are detrimental to health too. Plastics contain toxic chemicals which can cause cancer and birth defects and impair immunity among numerous other problems. Small plastic particles in water bottles and food containers leech into the food and end up in our bodies which can affect our health. Even expecting mothers who use plastics can put their unborn babies at risk of developing neurological problems such as ADHD and autism.

Here are some alternatives to plastic products:

1. Stainless steel - An alloy of various elements, stainless steel is durable, heat and corrosion resistant, and definitely more hygienic and eco-friendly than plastic. It may be cheaper than plastic but it is long-lasting and can be recycled.
2. Glass - Glass is made from sand and unlike plastic, the quality does not change when it is recycled. Glass is degradable, does not release harmful chemicals, and is definitely a more aesthetic option, especially in the kitchen.
3. Liquid Wood - Liquid wood is made from bioplastics - these are plastics that can be broken down by natural organisms. Liquid wood imitates wood as its name suggests and can be recycled as wood too.
4. Bioplastics - Along with liquid wood, other bioplastics are biodegradable because they are sourced naturally. They are partially derived from materials like bananas, corn, sugarcane, and other cellulose-containing products. But a word of caution - bioplastics are not necessarily completely harmless. They cannot be used in composts and the broken down remains may be toxic (far less than plastic) to the environment.

One way to save the environment - and ourselves - would be to stop using plastic in ways we can by using the alternatives mentioned above. Straws, plastic containers for food, plastic bags, and plastic bottles can be easily done away with and replaced with far better options. It’s not too late if we start now.