Plastics: Well Look What I Have Here!

Yep, the guys came in yesterday and installed my 5 stage Reverse Osmosis water
filter. Couldn't be happier about achieving one more goal towards eliminating BPA-leaching and environmentally unfriendly plastic water bottles from my life.

After TONS of research I decided on this unit by California based APEC Water Systems. It was pretty easy for the plumber to install.  I'm sure that anyone who is even remotely handy could install this unit (detailed installation instructions were enclosed) in no more than a couple of hours.

Plastics: Since you asked...(Part 2)

Hmmm I am still using my 'ziplock' plastic containers for left overs and have some nalgene bottles that I still use, but as I lose them, etc I will start replacing with other (bamboo, etc).  I don't know, what do you think - should I just whole-heartedly convert over?  Also what do you do for leftovers?

Attempting to eliminate plastics from my lifestyle has definitely been a gradual transition.  It's tough to get rid of items that we've become so used to using over the course of our lives (i.e. tupperware, plastic ziplock bags, etc.).  And while there may be some items that you just can't let go of for practical reasons keep in mind that limiting your exposure is way better than doing nothing at all.  

One of the ways I found to get around racing right out and immediately restocking my cabinets with all non-plastic storage items was by lining the containers with waxed paper....(this is a biggie for me at Burning Man).  I also do this with my cheeses.  I wrap them in waxed paper THEN wrap plastic wrap around them to keep a barrier between my food and the plastic.  

If you'd prefer to take further steps to rid your kitchen of plastics then here are a few of the non-leaching storage items that I've transitioned into my home. 

In place of using ziplock sandwich bags I now use these waxed paper sandwich bags with a clip to keep them closed.

For leftover storage I use glass and ceramic containers like these:

Stackable glass containers

Square glass storage set with lids 

Round storage bowls with lids

(Yes, these last two items have plastic lids but as long as your food isn't touching the lids no potential leaching will occur.)

Additionally, some of the food I buy comes in reusable glass containers with screw-on lids.  These come in very handy since they're so compact and they travel well!

And one of the most recent items that I've started using (in the office, on day hikes, etc.) are these sustainable & biodegradable Disposable Bamboo Utensils.  While they do specify that they're good for one-time-use I admittedly give them a quick hand washing in order to prolong their life.

I hope this helps!  Oh, and keep in mind that many of these items can be found at your local Target, Crate & Barrel, Bed, Bath & Beyond and similar kitchen stores.  Although Greenfeet.com is my all-time favorite one-stop-shop for all things green and non-toxic.

Plastics: It's Official: Canada Declares Bisphenol A Toxic

Yay, CANADA!!!

"Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement announced yesterday that Bisphenol A would be listed as a toxic substance and banned the use of polycarbonate plastic baby bottles. His Ministry will also tell baby food manufacturers to get it out of the linings of infant formula cans. The chemical has been blamed for conditions including cancer, declining sperm counts and early puberty in girls.

“We believe that the current safety margin needs to be higher. We have concluded that it is better to be safe than sorry,” Mr. Clement told a news conference yesterday in Ottawa, announcing the decision as “precautionary action.”

Martin Mittelstaedt, who has been reporting on BPA for years and deserves great credit for being an early voice in the wilderness, reports:

“This is the first time in living memory that our federal government has taken such a leadership position in the world on an issue like this,” commented Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, an advocacy group. “I think oftentimes Canadians want … to know that our country is doing right in the world, and in this particular case today it's actually happening.”

The FDA in the States still says it is safe, based on two studies funded by the American Chemistry Council."

Plastics: Since you asked...Q&A

O.K. the stainless steel water bottle, I can do. But tell us, please, how can I get clean water into my home? (An alternative to the Arrowhead delivery, please.)

Thanks for caring about all our health.

Peace,
Juana

Four words: Reverse Osmosis Water Filter...

I'm getting this one installed in my office this month!  So excited!  Reverse Osmosis is the process which many of the bottling companies use to filter the bottled water that we regularly drink.  And many local restaurants who are now a part of the 'ban the bottle' brigade are offering reverse osmosis filtered tap water as a greener and safer alternative to bottled water.  w00t! You can get one of these units installed under your sink at home OR they have a less expensive 'mobile' counter top version available as well.  

If you're a renter and/or simply don't want to deal with the installation involved with an RO unit mentioned above then my second suggestion would be a natural counter top water filtration system like this terra-cotta crock from Gaiam.com.  Due to (what I'm assuming are) agricultural reasons there currently seems to be a ban on shipping this unit into California...so have it shipped to your Playa address and drive it home after your Burn *wink*.   Terra-cotta filtration has been used for hundreds of years as a safe way to filter non-drinkable water and it's still a widely used process in many Third World countries today.  Last but not least, there is my absolute FAVORITE new 'natural' crock from Aquaovo.com called the Ovopur...just lovely!  But, unfortunately, design comes with a price...

Hope this helps!

The Aquarian

Green: Say No Way to BPA!

Can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah!?

As a HUGE anti-plastics preacher I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that word is FINALLY getting out to the masses (hey, 'some concern' is better than 'no concern') about the toxicity of 'food grade' plastics.  I've been annoying educating everyone I know about my concerns with plastics for YEARS now!  Dump your plastic water bottles for non-toxic alternatives such as a stainless steel Klean Kanteen, People!  And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drink water out of those 5 gallon plastic containers that Arrowhead (and the like) delivers to your home and office!  Those bottles are made from plastic number 7 which is a MAJOR leacher of BPA.  And (while I'm on a roll here) NEVER heat your food in the microwave in any sort of plastic container.  Seriously, how much more convincing do you need?!  Or maybe you're cool with Prostate and Breast Cancer, hormonal imbalances, etc.(?!) 

And Bravo(!) to Health Canada for being the first regulatory body in the world to call Bisphenol A (BPA) a 'dangerous substance' this week!  w00t!

From Grist.org...

U.S. health agency says ubiquitous chemical may harm kiddos.

A U.S. federal agency has declared that there is "some concern" that chemical bisphenol A can harm the development of children's brains and reproductive systems. The National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, issued a draft report following up on an 18-month review of BPA. The agency reported more concern than was suggested by its advisory panel, which critics alleged was biased toward the chemical industry. BPA can seep from hard plastic beverage containers, including baby bottles, and was detected in the urine of 93 percent of participants in a recent study. In light of the NTP report, congressional Democrats are asking the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider its view that BPA is safe. Canada, for once not beating us to the punch, is expected to issue a similar warning about BPA soon.

sources: Los Angeles Times, Reuters, The Washington Post, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Associated Press
see also, in Grist: Umbra advises on plastic water bottles
see also, in Grist: A special series on parenting and health