Why Should I Move Away from Petroleum-Based Plastic Packaging?

When we go grocery shipping, almost everything we buy comes in a plastic container – the water, the milk, the candy, the fruits, and the veggies. In fact, our environment is dominated by plastic. According to EPA estimates, 14.7 million tons of plastic containers and packaging is generated on a yearly basis.

So why do we have this fixation with plastic packaging? Well, it’s just convenient.

However, this convenience comes at the cost of significant damage to the environment and negative effects on human health. Many cities around the world are making steps to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the use of petroleum-based plastic packaging. And the following are reasons why you should take this step as well.

The Manufacturing Process of Petroleum-Based Plastic Packaging Consumes a Considerable Amount of Natural Resources

A high percentage of plastic industrial packaging is manufactured from polypropylene, a material made from natural gas and petroleum. The extraction and production of these fossil fuel-based materials leads to the creation of greenhouse gases, which, as we know, are the leading contributors to global climate change.

Moreover, studies have revealed that the amount of energy required to produce 9 plastic bags is equivalent to the energy required to drive a car for 0.6 miles. When you consider that the average useful life of a plastic bag spans around 12 minutes, are they really worth it?

Plastic Does Not Decompose

It’s common knowledge that petroleum-based plastic bags and containers never decompose. Instead, they break down into millions of tiny pieces which end up in the ocean and are consumed by marine life. Studies have revealed that 46,000 pieces of plastic float on each square mile of the globe’s oceans.

Plastic Bags and Containers Are Damaging to Human Health

It’s commonly known that plastic bags and containers are harmful to the wildlife and marine life. However, not everyone knows that they can also be extremely harmful to human health.

Some types of plastic packaging contain chemicals that can disrupt the regular functioning of the body’s hormones. These hormone-disrupting pollutants include PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyl). Once these chemicals are consumed by marine animals, they enter the food web and make their way into humans who consume fish. Consuming these chemicals can lead to serious illnesses and diseases, including asthma, kidney disease, nerve and brain damage, and cancer and liver damage.

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