We are consuming so many microplastics without even realizing it!

The plastic plates you hand out for your child’s birthday cake, the containers you use to store your food in, and more! Also, let us remind you how you get your takeout food in plastic packaging. It might be convenient, but is it worth the risk? All of these regular-looking daily habits are slowly harming us without us even realizing it.

Plastic is cheap and available everywhere, which makes it easier to reach out to them to be on the go. The truth is that using them for eating and drinking is much more harmful than we realize! Let’s talk about how to be more nature-friendly, dump plastic spoons, forks, cups, and all that, and choose safer options for our health.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that can be smaller than 5mm. Imagine a cumin seed, yah! even smaller than that.

They are found in water, air, food, and even our bodies, and we cannot see them with our naked eyes. They stick around in the environment for a long time and can affect our organs, hormones, and health over time if we do not take precautions.

Why We Should Stop Using Plastic For Eating and Drinking?

Plastic spoons, cups, and plates are everywhere. They are super cheap to buy and easy to use. But they do affect our health in a massive and slow-killing way!
These utensils might be cheap, but they come with a hidden cost – Your Health! and also nature’s health.
Let’s find out why we should stop using plastics for eating or drinking!

1 . Plastic and Heat are Not Best Buddies

Plastic utensils may look easy and harmless, but they are not safe to use with heat. When your plastic utensils are heated, they release chemicals and microplastics into your food or drinks!
You might be enjoying your favorite tea or hot soup, but remember, you are eating more than just food. Instead, opt for ceramic or steel utensils. That is good for your health and also the environment!

2 . Once a Habit Always a Habit

You might think, “Oh! It’s just once!” and throw your plastic utensils afterward. But most of the time, you find yourself coming back to it. This can happen because of how convenient it is, and let’s not forget, it is cheaper than others.
Over time, this becomes a habit, and you will find yourself serving cakes on plastic plates on your birthday. Plastic might be convenient and cheap, but the hidden price and microplastics in your body are not worth it! The habit of thinking convenience is more important than caring for your health, and thinking about the environment is not good.

3 . There are Better Alternatives!

The good news is that there are better alternatives to plastic! You can use stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or even bamboo utensils. These alternatives do not leak chemicals or microplastics and can be used again and again!
So, the issue of plastic being more convenient can be wiped out, as that was cheap but one-time use. Whereas these alternatives might be slightly costlier, they do give you value for money, and the cost per use is much cheaper than plastic!

Read: Becoming Eco-Friendly: Easy Swaps to Make!

4 . Terrible For Your Health

Plastic contains harmful chemicals, and they can enter our bodies through food or drinks. These chemicals are called BPA and phthalates. They can be super dangerous for our bodies.
These chemicals can lead to major health issues like cancer, diabetes, or even problems with fertility!

Pregnant women and children should avoid plastic use as they are at a higher risk of having health issues.

5 . Microplastics are Everywhere

When bigger plastics break down, they come into smaller versions of themselves called microplastics. They are so tiny we cannot see them with our naked eyes, and they can be literally anywhere!
Microplastics are the perfect example of how something so tiny can cause such big damage! They can travel through our body and reach our organs like the liver, lungs, and even the brain!

Research talks that they can cause harm like inflammation, cell damage, and also weaken our immune system over time.
They are also found to be major hormone disruptors, which can affect growth, mood, and fertility!
Scientists have mentioned how using alternatives to plastic is much safer than waiting for serious health issues to happen later.

6 . It Costs Everyone, even the Climate

To cater to the convenience of plastic, the factories use a lot of oil and gas, which causes bad pollution. Plastics aren’t degradable, so getting rid of them means dumping them in landfills or burning them.
It releases gases and contributes to global warming.

Dumping them helps us and our climate, and if that is possible by us taking smaller actions, why not do it?

7 . Because We All Can Be Better Humans

Since the rise of awareness of the harmful nature of plastic, many countries have started to ban single-use plastics. Even the schools have started to teach about them and show students how to switch to more environmentally friendly options.
Many small businesses have also risen, as they can provide alternatives to plastic shopping bags or products. Change is happening, and many countries, people, and businesses have switched to greener options. You can be a much-needed part of the change by making simple swaps and revamping your daily routine!

Conclusion

Plastic might be convenient, but it comes with serious hidden risks for our health and even our environment.
Let’s understand the above reasons why we need to dump plastic for our own good! It takes small steps, but if we all take that step, we can make our surroundings a better place to live.
We can all help by making necessary changes like swapping plastic for ceramic, choosing cloth shopping bags, and becoming more eco-friendly!
Let’s protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our Earth!