PaperlessKitchen Blog

Which Bag Wins in a Game of Paper, Plastic or Cloth?

Last month, we discussed a debate that's raging in Russia over whether it's better to ban paper bags in favor of paper bags or continue using plastic. The story got me to thinking about which actually is the most harmful to the environment, and the results really surprised me.

A professor at the University of Oregon, chemist David Tyler extensively studied the use of paper bags, plastic bags and cloth bags, evaluating them from every aspect to disposal. His research examined the environmental impact of all three types of bags. Here are some of the things that he found:

- In terms of carbon footprint or the impact of manufacturing the bags, plastic actually beat out both paper and cloth. The paper bags may not be surprising, but the fact that plastic, which is made from chemicals, had less of an impact than cotton bags astounded me. It turns out that the pesticides used on the cotton plants from which many bags are produced are the problem. The moral of the story is that going organic is the best way to ensure that your reusable cloth bag truly is the best choice for the Earth.

- When it comes to disposal, plastic bags break down the slowest when they reach landfills. Paper breaks down the fastest, while natural cotton fibers fall somewhere in between.

- If you're taking conservation into account, cloth bags win every time. Cotton is a renewable resource, as the plants quickly grow for harvesting each year. Although trees can be regrown, the paper pulp used to create paper is typically not viewed as a renewable product because of the time that it takes for a tree to fully mature. Plastic bags made from petrochemicals are clearly not renewable.

What do you think about these facts? Will it change how you carry your groceries and shopping? Let us know in the "Comments" section.

http://cascade.uoregon.edu/fall2012/expert/expert-article/

When to Buy Organic Produce

Going organic can help you protect your family from pesticides and fertilizer residues, but as we all know, organic produce is typically more expensive. If you're like many of us, you simply may not have room in your grocery budget to buy solely organic produce. 

Not all fruits and veggies are as likely to be tainted with chemicals; each year, the Environmental Working Group releases findings about which fruits and veggies are the "dirtiest" and which are the cleanest. You can use the information from this study to help you decide when to go organic and when regular produce is a safe bet. 

According to EWG, the following fruits and veggies have the highest rate of contamination:

Apples

Celery

Cherry tomatoes

Cucumbers

Grapes

Hot peppers

Nectarines (imported)

Peaches

Potatoes

Spinach

Strawberries

Sweet bell peppers

Kale and collard greens

Summer squash

The cleanest veggies and fruits are:

Asparagus

Avocados

Cabbage

Cantaloupe

Sweet corn

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Kiwi

Mangoes

Mushrooms

Onions

Papayas

Pineapple

Sweet peas

Sweet potatoes

If you have a difficult time finding organic fruits and veggies in your local area, you can also remove pesticides and fertilizer residues using Eat Cleaner produce wipes. This all-natural cleaner removes chemicals, bacteria and dirt from fruits and veggies and was developed with the help of a physician.

Do you have any tips for finding organic fruits and veggies? Share them in the Comments section.

New Studies Link Toxins in Food to Increased Cancer Risks in Children

A recent study published in the "Journal Environmental Health" has confirmed the importance of limiting children's exposure to even trace amount of toxins in foods.

The study was conducted at the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of California Davis and involved 364 children, 207 of which were preschoolers and 157 of which were between the ages of 5 and 7. Among the findings of the study: 

-       Every child was found to have levels of arsenic, dieldrin, DDE and dioxins that could put him or her at risk for developing cancer.

-       95% of children had levels of acrylamide in their bodies that increase their risk for cancer.

-       High pesticide levels were detected in many types of produce that children often eat raw, including tomatoes, apples, grapes and celery

The results of the study raise serious concerns about the safety of the foods that our children eat on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to help reduce your children's exposure to toxins and reduce their risk of cancer.

-       Purchase organic foods certified by a reputable organization whenever possible. 

-       Thoroughly clean fruits and vegetables with a natural produce cleaner before serving them raw or using them in recipes.

-       Eliminate the use of chemical cleaning products in the kitchen by switching to green cleaning cloths that require only water or natural cleaning solutions that are nontoxic.

-       Serve fewer processed grain foods like potato and tortilla chips, as these are the primary sources of acrylamide.

By greening your kitchen and making smart choices about the foods you serve, you can help protect your children and decrease your family's eco footprint.