My Plastic-free Life - Forum: Plastic News

Beth Terry on Plastic in tea bags?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:56:02 -0700

Great article. And I appreciate that it mentions that paper teabags have an environmental impact as well. What it doesn't say is that paper tea bags also contain plastic. There are plastic fibers mixed in with the paper, which is what helps heat seal them. I'm planning a blog post about it soon. Anyway, that's why I have a reusable stainless steel tea ball and buy loose leaf bulk tea in my own container instead of packaged tea.

foxli on Plastic in tea bags?

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:28:31 -0700

Apparently, those fancy pyramid-shaped teabags are all made from one sort of plastic or another.

(Sorry, can't hyperlink.)

http://www.theatlantic.com/hea.....ic/274482/

Giving it a go on Chemistry council getting involved??

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:41:35 -0800

I´ve just downloaded it... Gees! Bit of reading. Bit much reading!

I need to read it properly, but from scanning through it´s all "anti-littering" and re-cylcing. (which of course can´t be done)

I´d be really interest to see what you make of it.

(my friend didn´t write the article, but commented a lot on it)

Eve Stavros on Chemistry council getting involved??

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:25:03 -0800

Thanks for sharing this! I went to the "reported" link in your friend's article and there's a link in the source info to the entire report, which I've downloaded to read & digest. It will be interesting to see concrete examples of those 140 "projects" that the ACC reports on. Everyone should do this and decide for themselves whether this is truly green or just "green-washing"! http://www.americanchemistry.c.....ments.html

Giving it a go on Chemistry council getting involved??

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:05:53 -0800

A friend sent me this. She writes for them and is Elizabeth in the comments.

What do you think? Plastic propaganda? Or do they mean it..? I was going to share it on facbook but didn´t want friends to see.

http://www.designnews.com/auth.....age=3#msgs

Beth Terry on Seattle (mostly) plastic bag ban effective July 1.

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:39:56 -0700

Hurray! One city at a time. Hopefully, we can get more states to pass plastic bag legislation and really speed this process along.

(Make sure you include the http:// code before the www when entering web addresses. I fixed your link so it works now.)

Maddie on Seattle (mostly) plastic bag ban effective July 1.

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 09:57:10 -0700

Seattle's plastic bag ban goes in to effect today, yay!

http://www.Seattle.gov/util/Se...../index.htm

I hope the links works

euripides on Polyester Fleece

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:35:32 -0700

MTNGirl, I think some balance is needed - if you're getting such excellent wear out of products, the net environmental cost might be better than if you went through several substandard products.

Beth Terry on Old Plastics, Fresh Dirt

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:48:00 -0700

Plastics composed 12% of the 250 million tons of trash Americans generated in 2010, according to the EPA. Food waste and yard trimmings, in contrast, made up 27%. Compostable plastics won’t make the problem of plastic waste magically disappear. But they can help municipalities and institutions divert organic waste away from the landfill and to the compost pile.

http://cen.acs.org/articles/90.....-Dirt.html

Beth Terry on Scientists Warn of Low-Dose Risks of Chemical Exposure

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:44:45 -0700

A new study finds that even low doses of hormone-disrupting chemicals — used in everything from plastics to pesticides – can have serious effects on human health. These findings, the researchers say, point to the need for basic changes in how chemical safety testing is conducted.

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/s.....sure/2507/

Beth Terry on Chemicals in plastic linked to rise in obesity and diabetes

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:39:00 -0700

Man-made chemicals present in homes, schools, offices, cars and food are probably contributing to the sharp rise in obesity and diabetes in western societies, according to a review of scientific literature published today...

http://www.independent.co.uk/n.....78153.html

MTNgirl on Polyester Fleece

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:15:52 -0800

I just read the above Mother Jones article! So, nylon sheds fibers too? Aaack! I am one of those people wearing Outdoor Performance clothing everyday, even for work! I have to draw the line on replacing the nylon items. I love my REI nylon zip-off pants, black REI travel pants, and Macabi skirts. I wear them constantly for work, travel, home, and dressy occassions! They are well made and I have each item for 7-10 years and still going strong.

MTNgirl on Polyester Fleece

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:17:33 -0800

I found the article at "Citizen Green," here you go! http://www.tippecanoegreen.blo.....-robe.html

Amy, I just finished my second reading of Deanna Duke's (Crunchy Chicken) book the "Nontoxic Avenger." She talked about the fire retardants in kids pajamas. Scary. I read somewhere years ago that the legislation for childrens pajamas tight fitting/fire retardants was due to the primary heat source being wood. That still stands in some places, but certainly not with us.

I found her a couple pairs of organic cotton pajamas at-sorry!-Walmart last year. She prefers the fleece for warmth, though I provide learning moments regarding chemicals when I can! (She will get there, her favorite movie is "No Impact Man!")

julsie on Polyester Fleece

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:57:05 -0800

I don't know how old your daughter is, but I've managed to find a lot of cotton pajamas for my girls, even at the major chain stores. They're not as warm as fleece, but I like that they breathe better. And when they get to size 6 or so, you can find flannel.

Amy on Polyester Fleece

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:33:56 -0800

Here's a link to a Mother Jones article on this:

http://motherjones.com/tom-phi.....ling-ocean

I rarely buy/wear polyester, but I do love my fleece to get me through the winter. I was so sad to read this. I am not about to just get rid of the fleece I have, but I will think a lot about buying new stuff. I am so glad that Patagonia is on this as I trust them to find a better way -- eventually!

I must add, on the topic of polyester kids pajamas -- most of them ARE made from polyester and they contain chemical flame retardants that are known carcinogens, and trace elements of these chemicals can be found in our blood! We do get exposure to those chemicals in our lives in other ways as well, but I have never bought those types of pajamas for my daughter because I didn't want her sleeping with those chemicals for hours every night. There is another trend to "wear snug fitting" cotton pajamas as a fire protective alternative. Mostly I have purchased organic cotton pajamas/long johns from HannahAndersson. A bit pricey (I have often gotten them on sale) but I figured well worth it, and they wear well and last a long time. As she is outgrowing that style, she's been wearing regular old t-shirts and leggings to sleep in -- no fire retardant!