Compostable water bottles!

Been doing lots of reading about plastic water bottles and other options...

PET plastic is a petroleum product.

NZ statistics: (http://www.packagingaccord.org.nz/PlasticsSectorPlasticsNewZealand.php)
In 2004 28,000 tonnes of plastic packaging was recycled (20% of the plastic packaging consumed in New Zealand), making PET recycling approximately 30% of the total recycled material.

U.S. statistics: http://www.container-recycling.org/
In the U.S., because it is presently recycled at such low rates, tens of billions of new plastic bottles must be manufactured each year from virgin materials—fossil fuels—to replace those bottles that were not recycled. The Container Recycling Institute estimates that approximately 18 million barrels of crude oil equivalent were consumed in 2005 to replace the 2 million tons of PET bottles that were wasted instead of recycled.

The good news is that degradable and bio-based plastics are increasingly entering the market. Bio-based plastics are projected to increase to 10% of the world supply of plastic by 2020.
(http://www.packagingaccord.org.nz/PlasticsSectorPlasticsNewZealand.php)

However, there are risks of contaminating recycling schemes because we don't have infrared recycling technology in NZ.

An example of bio products available are potato-starch plates (NZ) and corn-based PLA compostable water bottles - BIOTA (only available in the U.S.)

BIOTA is sold at select natural foods and gourmet supermarkets throughout the United States. Eventually, consumers across the United States will be able to purchase BIOTA from stores.

More toxic scares

Last week it was formaldehyde levels in children's clothing.

Today, a web site visitor alerted me to the latest news scare in the US. The chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) - which is commonly found in plastics and is known to leech out into food and liquids it is in contact with.

We already knew about the risks associated with using polycarbonate baby bottles and recommend the use of glass bottles instead.

However, it appears that Bisphenol-A is not just an ingredient in the plastics used in baby bottles, but toddler sipper cups and the resin lining of infant formula tins!

Tests showing the connection between Bisphenol-A (BPA) and health risks for children and pregnant women are numerous and conducted on both a national and international level.

Recently, 38 Independent Specialists in BPA toxicity from around the world issued a consensus statement saying that BPA present a clear risk to human health, including as a potential carcinogen and in abnormal sexual development.

Read more about research on BPA on the Environmental Working Group web site here http://www.ewg.org/featured/218. (EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment).

What you can do?
- breastfeeding is best!
- use glass bottles for bottle feeding
- use non-polycarbonate sippy cups.
Tommy Tippee easiflow insulated bottle is polypropylene with a silicon straw (available in NZ supermarkets) or Klean Kanteen (stainless steel, with non-BPA plastic sipper)
- if you introduce your children to using a small glass as early as practicable, then the sippy cup will only be needed for car journeys etc
- we are in the process of investigating whether the resin is used in organic formula cans
- switch your child to organic cows milk or A2 milk (after 12 months)

-tell others and spread the word ... public outcry is the fastest way to effect change!

...any other ideas appreciated!

Bisphenol-A in bottles

Received an email this week and timely reminder about polycarbonate baby bottles.

Is it safe to use plastic baby bottles? Many parents are unaware that Bisphenol-A leeches out of baby bottles over time, particulary when heated. Links to more information on http://www.organicbaby.co.nz/articles/food/first.html

Unfortunately, many parents heat baby's milk (and food) in a microwave, when a gentle heat in a beaker of warm water works just as well.

Glass bottles are freely available and quite safe - you just can;t let toddlers wonder around with them - which is a good habit not to get into anyway.

For older children: there is a new type of sipper bottle - I have just ordered one for my toddler - http://www.progressivekid.com/shop/Eco-FriendlyWaterBottles.aspx.