Plastic Food Packaging - Green Solutions to an Environmental Issue

The challenges of plastic food packaging are evident everywhere. They are evident at the retail level, but they are also present at the food service, packaged foods, and even the water bottles that we see around us. This is a product of science fiction, but unfortunately it's true. Unfortunately, some of the same challenges of plastic food packaging are being seen in the retail industry and in the service industry as well. This article explores the multiple reasons why the issues of plastic food packaging are problematic. From a broad integrative research review, this article sheds light upon the numerous arguments between environmental sustainability and individual consumers' interests, as well as the competing agendas of environmental and economic priorities that pertain to such issues.

 

First, let's look at human health issues. Plastic, especially polyethylene Terephthalate, has been shown in numerous studies to increase the concentration of certain chemicals in food, particularly in those foods that are consumed by children. Chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates have been shown to have a feminizing effect on human beings. In addition, exposure to chemicals found in plastic food packaging has been shown to increase the risks for developing breast cancer and nervous system tumors in both women and men.

 

The risk for human health is not the only concern. Damage to the environment from plastic packaging is also a growing concern. With increased plastics being put into landfills, and the threat of global warming, a wide variety of environmental justice concerns are being addressed through various policies designed to control plastic pollution, and to promote responsible use of packaging materials.

 

Plastic packaging, although it may be convenient and inexpensive, is still a major contributor to the world's problem of plastic pollution. In addition, because of its pervasive use, there are many more potential places for such waste to go than would be the case if it were used for other purposes, such as that of plastic food packaging and other containers. There are, however, a number of ways in which consumers can help reduce plastic consumption and packaging waste. These include:

 

o Refraining from buying products that are food-friendly plastic packaging. Many foods go through the food-safe plastic packaging process without having to be altered at all, which means that these foods contain a large volume of chemicals and toxins, which is not at all healthy for humans or the environment. Because most products sold in grocery stores and convenience marts are food-safe plastic packaging, it is important to buy these items when they are in stock and not simply after they have arrived at the store. Instead of driving to the store and picking up items that have already been packaged, go into the store and ask an assistant if you can pick them up, or ask if the clerk will call a few minutes later to find out where they are.

 

o Cutting down on your plastic food packaging and waste use. Because so many items are packed in plastic, it makes sense to either reduce the amount of plastic food packaging that you use or to recycle the unused plastic waste that you do have. One way that you can reduce the amount of plastic food packaging that you need to make is by purchasing food containers that are stackable, rather than those that are only intended to be used once. This is because by packaging multiple items in one container, you can drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that you produce.

 

o Reusing your plastic container. Some companies offer their customers the option of switching their plastic bags over to reused ones, which can drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste that your company produces. If the bags are reusing, simply remove the individual portion of the bag from the packaging and replace it with another plastic container.

 

While some people may view these solutions as unnecessary, others see them as a necessity for the future of our food packaging and manufacturing. As people become more concerned about protecting the environment, and as regulations increase concerning what materials can be used for food packaging, it becomes increasingly important to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals that are being released into our air and to reduce the amount of waste that we produce. Plastic is certainly not going to disappear, so it is vital for businesses to utilize all of the options that they have in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are being released into the atmosphere. By using plastics, you can help protect the environment and you can improve your company's bottom line.