Plastic has attained a rather nasty reputation in recent years, no thanks to the damage that it’s causing to flora and fauna alike. This is ironic, because the synthetic material was created in the late-1800s with the sole purpose of reducing humankind’s reliance on nature. This has backfired hard, with plastic pollution now giving the world a massive headache.

The damage that plastic has caused could be attributed to the lack of information made available to consumers as well. For one, did you know that there are a variety of plastics available? That’s right, there isn’t just one type of plastic that manufacturers use when creating bags, containers, and other items!

With governments and corporations across the world taking sustainability more seriously, there’s no better time for consumer habits to change as well. To help you take the first step when you’re out shopping again, here are 3 key factors that differentiate good and bad plastic.

1. Recyclability

It’s easy to assume that plastics aren’t recyclable, given that 700 million kilograms of the stuff is thrown away in Singapore every year. That couldn’t be further away from the truth. 4 common types of plastic are easily recyclable, including LDPE (cling wrap, sandwich bags, etc.) and HDPE (shampoo bottles, toys, etc.).

If a plastic type you commonly use isn’t easily recyclable or recyclable at all, you might want to consider switching to either one of these 4 types. And when you’re recycling something, ensure that it’s clean and consisting of only a single plastic type. Also, it would be better if the item is transparent as it’s harder to recycle coloured plastics.

The recycled plastic material then goes towards creating a wide variety of products, be it furniture or even clothes. For example, HDPE can be converted into more longer-lasting plastic products such as stationery and rubbish bins. On the other hand, polystyrene items are just destined for the incinerator or landfill. A complete waste in every sense of the word.

2. Toxicity

Part of the reason why plastic is vilified would be its potential for toxicity, especially when exposed to heat. Some types would leach chemicals easily, making them unsuitable for containing hot food and beverages.

Therefore, a better plastic product usually labels that it’s free of chemicals such as BPA and phthalates. The next pointer is linked to toxicity as well.

3. Durability

This might appear to be a no-brainer but there’s more to this than you think. A good plastic product is durable in several ways. Firstly, it must be able to withstand impact well. For example, if your lunchbox is dropped from a table, the only thing that’s scattered on the floor should be the food within. This represents value for money too, because you won’t have to waste money on a replacement.

Secondly, a good plastic product should be able to withstand (relatively) extreme temperatures. These days, there are containers made from PP that can be placed in both the freezer and dishwasher. Having a container that can do it all saves you the hassle of using two separate ones.

Plastic’s advantage...and disadvantage would be its weight, or lack thereof. It’s a lot more handy than a solid but heavy and fragile glass receptacle of the same size, especially if you need to carry it around daily. Do your research and determine whether the product you’re looking at has the strength to match its lightweight properties.

In Conclusion

Plastic has its critics because of what it’s doing to both manmade and natural environments right now, and deservedly so. However, the synthetic material will still play an important part in our daily lives for many years yet. The convenience it offers along with how ingrained it is into our lives will take some time to undo.

Products made from more sustainable or eco-friendly materials are steadily gaining ground but it’ll take a while before everyone makes the switch to bamboo cups or rice husk bowls.

For now, you can do your part as a consumer by being more discerning when you’re at the shopping mall. Select better plastic products instead of bad ones that will both threaten your health and the environment. Don’t be complacent though, this is but a small step to becoming an even more conscious consumer!

Looking to wean yourself off plastic entirely? Start with your kitchen and check out MamaShop’s wide range of eco-friendly cutlery and utensils here!