Saturday, October 12, 2024
HomescienceWhy should you be wary of alternatives to disposable plastic dishes

Why should you be wary of alternatives to disposable plastic dishes

UFC-Que Choisir tested 57 products presented as alternatives to disposable plastic tableware. The results were surprising.

Since January 1 2021, straws, disposable tableware, stirrers, dinner cup lids and other biodegradable plastic items are prohibited. By 2040, the waste control law is expected to end all single-use plastic packaging. But ‘plastic free’ is not necessarily synonymous with safety as it was revealed UFC- what to choose.

On Wednesday, May 19, the Consumers Association posted on its website test results for 57 products that are vegan alternatives to disposable plastic products. The UFC condemns the excessive presence of compounds hazardous to health or the environment in these alternative products based on vegetable pulp or palm leaves.

The UFC has reported worrying results since then.66% of samples tested contained perfluorinated compounds (used to make dishes water and grease resistant without cracking, but some are carcinogenic, immunotoxic, toxic to development and / or endocrine disruptors) exceeding recommendations (2), sometimes broadly (Some Betik brand plates (3) have a content of perfluorinated compounds 140 times higher than the standard specified in Denmark)“.

Video – Environment: Recyclable or not, disposable plastic is no longer sold

Clarify the regulations

In addition, the association warns of a potential cocktail impact of products thatProvides an accumulation of substances (in particular perfluorinated compounds, chloropropanol, aromatic amines), especially for paper straws and cardboardUFC regrets that European regulations are not precise enough about material composition.The regulations do not specify a closed list of authorized substances and additives, but only a general principle not to harm materials used by manufacturers of cutlery and other items that come into contact with food products.In particular, the UFC criticizes European authorities to define an accurate list of materials and additives that can be used without risk as alternatives to plastics for single-use dishes.

See also  The number of cases in the world could triple by 2050

You may also be interested in this content:

Zoe Barker
Zoe Barker
"Writer. Analyst. Avid travel maven. Devoted twitter guru. Unapologetic pop culture expert. General zombie enthusiast."
RELATED ARTICLES

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments