Its 2018 and we are still using plastics in our everyday lives, despite having the knowledge how dangerous they can be. Everyday we see a news or a video in which a sea creature is found dead due to consumption of plastics. Few of us blame ourselves while most choose to ignore. But we don’t realize the issue is real.
Polythene or plastic bags are not only harmful for animals but for ourselves as well. When we keep our food items or buy a food item in these bags we don’t realize what they may cause.
Harmful effect of plastic bag usage for Edibles
The most dangerous effect of using plastic bags for edibles that if a hot substance is met with plastic, toxic substances are released. Such substances include Bis-phenol A, which is a cancer causing compound.
Isn’t it scary? Because this compundis toxic enough to cause cancer when mixed with our foods.
The use of plastic bags is banned worldwide. Pakistani Government also passed a law against its use back in 1995 but it was never implemented.
The plastic is a non-degradable substance which does not decompose for years hence harms the environment and living beings. In humans they cause digestive disorders and produce malignant cells harmful to our health. We also dump the plastics and when they are burnt they release high amount of pollutants casuing air pollution and adding to the harms of global warming.
How to avoid these effects:
However, we are not helpless and neither dependent on plastics. We can definitely stop the use of plastic. Here are some pointers through which you can avoid its use.
- First of all do not accept plastic bags from anywhere. Whenever you shop or eat food outside you are mostly offered plastic bags. You can instead use paper bags and keep one always with yourself.
- Always use reusable bags for groceries
- Switch your kitchen utensils which are used for hot meals to steel, glass or mud.
- Boycott polythene bags. (The one you get food items in)
- Always check the reusable sign when using high quality plastic bags or boxes. The numbers 1 to 5 are safer to use for food.
By following such simple rules you can contribute to a healthy and safer environment, save sea life, help lower the effects of global warming and most importantly all this will help you save your health!
