Plastic Albatross

When you use a plastic bag to hold your lettuce or buy a bag of noodles encased in plastic packaging, take a moment to think about where that plastic will end up.

Photo: National Geographic

Plastic does not biodegrade and less than 2% of all plastic produced for disposable consumables is actually recycled. Every piece of plastic ever made is still in existence, floating in oceans or collecting in landfill sites, killing wildlife and leaching toxic chemicals into our water and soil.

On your next shopping trip, review the items in your cart and ask this question:

Will this item return to the earth to nourish new life and new growth?

If not, consider making a Plastic-Free Pledge and:

• Use re-usable muslin bags instead of plastic for your produce.
• Choose biodegradable or compostable products and packaging over plastic.
• Buy bulk instead of plastic-packaged convenience items.
• Bring your own canvas bags to carry your groceries home.

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Learn more about your plastic waste from Capt. Charles Moore or watch this excerpt from the documentary Message in the Waves to see where your plastic waste ends up.

Butcher Paper

Since high levels of toxins bioaccumulate in animals and fish, avoiding toxins often means giving up meat. Another good reason to choose vegetarianism. However, for those omnivores trying to avoid plastic-packaged food, buying organic, grass-finished meat from the farmers market or food coop presents a BIG dilemma.

Plastic packaging of organic meat, while protecting it from spoilage and making it visible to consumers for inspection, seems unwise. All plastic leaches, especially when in contact with oily/fatty foods and during temperature extremes. “Food-safe” plastic is currently deemed safe for use, but previously-safe plastics (like PVC, the original plastic wrap) are now considered toxic. When it comes to food, I follow the Precautionary Principle.

So, what’s a omnivore to do?

Visit an organic butcher and ask for paper packaging!

I prefer not to eat meat, but my long list of food allergies makes it one of the few protein sources I can consume. After much searching, I’ve discovered the recently opened Meat Hook in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

While they do have plastic on hand, you can request that your meat be wrapped-up, plastic-free, with traditional butcher’s paper. Most of their meat ships from Kinderhook Farms (Animal Welfare Approved) and arrives whole or in sides. One of the owners assured me that very little plastic had ever touched the meat.

** UPDATE **

Dickson’s Farmstand at Chelsea Market in NYC is another great “plastic-free” butcher.