More BPA news

The news about plastic just keeps getting worse. Now experts are advising you to stay away from all plastics with the numbers 3, 6, and 7 unless they are specifically marked 'BPA-free.' It's the endrocrine disrupters that are the problem here, because they are linked to a variety of diseases and health disorders including breast cancer and leukemia.

No matter what number graces the bottom of your plastic containers, you should avoid not only putting them in the microwave, but in the dishwasher as well!

I guess it's time to go back to Pyrex and other glass containers that have been safe all along. A little broken glass from time-to-time is far better than exposing your family to the cancer risks associated with BPA.

If only our government would step in here and eliminate BPA completely. But that won't help all of us who already have cupboards full of plastic containers, sippy cups and children's dinnerware.

On the plus-side of things: there is some hope on the horizon. Korean researchers have been working on a less expensive way to make polylactic acid (PLA), which is a non-oil based plastic that is not only safe for food packaging, but is also biodegradable and made from renewable materials! This is good news for both the environment and consumers. Keep your eyes and ears open for developments in this arena.

Keeping it healthy and green,

Hana

Another recycling option

Milk and juice cartons are recyclable! Who knew? I certainly didn't. Waste Management and Tropicana worked together with some of the juice company's suppliers to form the Juice Carton Council. What does this mean for you? Well, depending on where you live and who collects your recycling, you may be able to throw your juice and milk cartons directly into your recycling bins for pickup. To find out if your community is part of this initiative, go to www.recycledcartons.com and click on your state. Unfortunately, for those of us who live in Pennsylvania, the only participating area is Erie....so far. The Juice Carton Council is working hard to make carton recycling available in every part of the country.

In the meantime, recycling kits with prepaid mailing labels are available at www.thinkgreenfromhome.com. If Waste Management is not yet accepting beverage cartons for recycling in your area, you can purchase a recycling kit, fill it and mail it back. Yes, it is an expense on your part, but it is also an investment in the future of the environment.

Recycling kits are available for the following:

• Wash, Squash and Recyle -- group together aluminum, tin and steel cans, cardboard, clipboard (i.e. cereal boxes), paper, plastic bottles and jugs, juice and milk cartons
• CFL -- for all CFLs and fluorescent tubes
• Batteries -- dry cell
• Electronics and Computers -- all computer components, televisions, VCRs, etc.
• Syringes and Lancets

The next time you're debating what brand of juice to buy, opt for Tropicana, as they were the first national juice manufacturer to qualify to place a recycle logo on thier packaging. Constantly looking for ways to improve their products' sustainability, their beverage cartons are manufactured with 85% renewable materials. A recycle-friendly polymer makes up the remaining 15%.

By supporting companies that truly care about being good stewards of the environment, we demonstrate our own commitment to living greener lives now and providing a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Keeping it green,

Hana