Plastic is in many ways a fantastic material. Ironically, it is part of the problem. Plastic is so "good" that it doesn't disappear, it doesn't break down within a reasonable time and it contains things that we absolutely don't want in our bodies or in nature.
Quick facts about plastic
There are two different types of plastic: thermosetting plastic and thermoplastic. Thermosetting plastic is plastic that cannot be melted down. It is often used together with glass or carbon fiber for larger things such as boats.
Thermoplastic can be both melted down and reshaped after it has been manufactured. Thermoplastic is more common. Plasticbags, plastic bottles, eyeglass frames and mobile phone cases are made of thermoplastic.
By knowing more about plastic, we as individuals can handle and make better choices about plastic.
This blog addresses simple basics as well as tips on how you can make the best of the situation and make good choices in everyday life. As individuals, we can use our consumer power to show what we want. However, some things are more difficult than others when it comes to avoiding plastic. Liquids, for example, are difficult to store and transport in anything other than plastic. Glass is heavy and causes greater emissions during transport, the sand that glass is made of is a finite resource and is actually running out, and the caps are often made of aluminum which is a material that requires a lot of energy during manufacture.
A toothbrush, on the other hand, does not at all have to be made of plastic to function, to achieve its purpose. The toothbrush can therefore just as well be made of, for example, bamboo.
Bioplastics is a difficult concept, it can namely mean two different things.
Sometimes, bioplastic refers to plastic that is made from something other than oil, such as renewable or bio-based raw materials, but it can also mean biodegradable plastic made from, for example, starch from maize that can be composted.
A plastic is biodegradable if it is broken down by microorganisms. Usually, the end products are water, carbon dioxide and/or methane and new biomass; this should be able to happen in 6-12 weeks. A non-degradable plastic can take several hundred years to break down.
How do you know if a plastic is recyclable or not?
There is a small number stamped in the plastic; the numbers mean different things. If it says 1 or 01, it means that the product is recyclable (Polyethylene terephthalate). If, on the other hand, it says 6, the plastic is difficult to recycle and must not be placed in plastic recycling. With knowledge of the markings 1 and 6, we can thus make good choices in the store on the occasions when there is no alternative to plastic. If you, for example, turn over one of Västerbottenssåpa's bottles for liquid soap, you will see a recycling symbol and a small 1, which means that the plastic is recyclable.
Dangerous additives in plastic
Different substances are added to give the plastic different properties; it is not always the case that we have full control over how these substances affect us humans or the environment. It has not been investigated enough. But we know some things and below are some examples of plastics that should be avoided as far as possible.
- Plastic with added flame retardant, e.g., electrical cables and plastic in electronics.
- Plastic with added agent to kill bacteria (antibacterial plastic products) (e.g., shoes and workout clothes).
- Plastic products with added agent for dirt- and water-repellent surfaces (e.g., frying pans with non-stick coating, functional clothing, shoes, sofas, etc.).
- Plastic with added phthalates, such as soft PVC, especially older items and products imported from outside the EU (such as paddling pools, shoes and boots, bags and imitation leather products, plastic toys older than 2007)
By making good choices where possible, we make a big difference.
Simple swaps such as from shampoo in a plastic bottle to shampoo in solid form is no major problem in everyday life and a simple matter to just switch over to.
Toothpaste, cotton swabs and straws are other things that can easily be swapped for more sustainable and plastic-free alternatives.
From words to action – Simple things you can do
- With each purchase, think: Is this product made of a different material or in a different packaging? Remember 1 and 6– if there is no alternative to plastic, then make sure the product is marked with a 1 and not a 6.
- Clean with solid soap in a cardboard box instead of chemical-laden spray bottles.
- Use corn-based plastic bags.
- Use a reusable food/shopping bag made of recycled material.
- Get a reusable coffee mug so you don't have to buy a new mug with a plastic lid every day.
- Get a water bottle that you can reuse.
- Swap from shampoo in a bottle to solid shampoo, the same can be done with conditioner.
- Swap plastic cotton swabs for the bamboo variant.
- Swap pump soap for solid soap in the bathroom.
- Swap shower gel for a solid organic soap.
- Swap hair brushes and combs (when it's time to replace them) for wood.
- Swap the toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush.
- Swap tampons for a menstrual cup.
- Swap facial cleansing gel for a konjac sponge.
- Swap disposable razors for a safety razor.
- Skip the straw when you eat out.
- Always return bottles for deposit.
- Try plogging – pick up trash and jog.