Snug Organics Blog

Non-Toxic Tableware for Kids

Tuesday March 16, 2010

If you grew up in the 80s, you probably remember collecting the plastic plates with the McDonald’s characters on them… or was it the Muppets?  I think there were matching cups and bowls too.  It was the tableware for the kids; the stuff we couldn’t break or scratch.  I’m sure these awesome plates were completely toxic, but back then, who knew to care?

Kid-proof tableware is still a need for families today (I think half of our dish set is officially broken), but making a safe and responsible choice is key.  There are plenty of options out there for babies and toddlers, but what about kids and sometimes adults?

Why am I making a big deal about such a seemingly irrelevant topic? Some additives in plastics are increasingly being shown to have interactions with the body’s hormone system (a.k.a., the endocrine system).  When exposed to heat from dishwashers and microwaves, most plastics begin to degrade. When this happens, additives from the plastics are more likely to leach out of the plastics, and/or even combine with other available chemicals (dishwasher detergent, cleaners, etc.) and then into food.  Some additives in plastics seem to be able to mimic the action of hormones (often estrogen) making these additives endocrine disruptors.  Understanding the health risks of endocrine disruptors, especially of their reproductive, neuronal and/or immunological effects, is extremely complex and more research needs to be done.  Some of the more commonly known additives to plastics that are possible or confirmed endocrine disruptors are Phenols, Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, Styrene, and Melamine.  So until we know more, what’s the solution?

Preserve Everyday Tableware

Recycled #5 polypropylene is the best choice for your family in terms of using plastic for food.   It is a benign plastic and is not known to leach.  It is dishwasher safe and BPA and phthalate-free.  The best part is that this company uses safe, tested, recycled plastic and they are also recyclable themselves.  Preserve products are made from 100% recycled plastics and 100% post-consumer paper. By using recycled materials, they save energy, preserve natural resources and create an incentive for communities to recycle.  All of their plastic products are recyclable, either through their postage-paid labels and mailers or at the curb in communities that recycle #5 plastic.  They make their products in the USA, so that they can ship them shorter distances, using less fuel and limiting their environmental footprint.  They don’t test on animals either.  Preserve products are made to last—and they look good.  Okay, they’re not as cool as the old McDonald’s plates and they aren’t covered with Dora the Explorer or Spiderman, but they’re easy, safe, and affordable.  I happen to like simple.  Pick up these plates, bowls, and cups in sets of 4 at your local Whole Foods or order online.

A Positive Note About Plastics of the Future

With current commercial technology most biodegradable plastics are made from sugar or starches. However, there are commercial technologies that use carbon dioxide and catalysts to produce biodegradable plastics. Scientists are also working to develop plastics from algae or from processes that rely on nanotechnology.  It is likely that the next 100 years of plastics will show even greater innovation than the first 100 years.