Get Informed

Does the Plastic Industry Really Care about your Health?

July 14, 2013

8 February 2009 — On January 19th 2009, Life Without Plastic was invited to attend the Ottawa launch of the campaign”Unbottle It!” by the Council of Canadians (“C of C”). The campaign aims at encouraging individuals to drink less bottled water and more tap water for environmental and health reasons. There is now so much reliance on plastic water bottles everywhere that schools, malls, offices are phasing out water fountains and municipalities are spending less money on water purification technology. We were told we must change this trend which encourages the proliferation of plastic water bottles.

Think Beyond Plastic 2013: Innovation and Beyond in Berkeley

July 14, 2013

24 June 2013 — What is innovation? To me it’s all about creative new change – creating an idea or product or process that changes and enhances the world in a new way. I think of it instinctively with a positive, world-bettering filter. Innovation is important because it can lead to new, positive, disruptive change. Fast. And in the world of plastic pollution – i.e., our shared world, because the plastic waste is now everywhere – new, positive, disruptive change cannot come fast enough.

Just over a week ago, I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the inaugural – and now to be annual – Think Beyond Plastic (TBP) Innovation Competition and Conference, held in Berkeley, California at the gorgeous and green David Brower Center on June 13-14, 2013. That coloured light bulb to my right is the TBP logo symbol, and is itself a visually delightful and innovative take on the light bulb – a perfect representation of the new rays of light and ideas unveiled last week and now radiating all over the world. The purpose of the competition and conference was to find and highlight disruptive solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis. Life Without Plastic was honoured to be a sponsor and enthusiastic supporter of TBP.

India Rising… Above Plastic

June 17, 2013

We are just back from a trip to “Incredible !ndia” — this is the tag line used by the Indian Ministry of Flower vendorTourism to promote India around the world, and it’s true, India is !ncredible. One might argue that I’m biased because I have Indian roots, but this is a country that grabs everyone by all senses and flys away with you. It is so alive, just teeming with life. And the colours – I love the flowers sold in the street, and the numerous fresh vegetable stands.

We were there to visit family and meet with some of our suppliers. We visited Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Doing what we do, Chantal and I were always on the lookout for signs and info about the current state of the plastic pollution in India, and what is being done about it. With a population exceeding a billion, over 30% of which live below the poverty level, dealing with plastic waste is a challenge by any measure. And yet, we found many signs of positive action.

Public Schools in Maryland Buy BPA Trays for Children

June 14, 2013

18 February 2009 — I just discovered today a news piece about a school board in Elkridge Maryland agreeing to spend $45,924 to purchase 10,320 compartmented trays made of polycarbonate plastic (the kind that contains BPA) to be used by school children. I am disappointed that the science behind the dangers of this type of plastic is still not fully accepted, therefore putting thousands of children at risk. As I understand it, these trays will be used like a plate and will be in contact with food.

Plastic Realities

June 11, 2013

The evidence is growing that chemicals leached from plastics used in everyday life, including for cooking and food & drink storage, are harmful to human health. Among the most disturbing of these are hormone – aka endocrine – disrupters, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, miscarriages, breast and prostate cancer, reproductive dysfunction, metabolic dysfunction and diabetes, and neurological and behavioral disorders. The health risks of plastic are significantly amplified in children, whose immune and organ systems are developing and are more vulnerable.