For the last year I have been refusing to buy plastic wrapped food. My boycott started because I didn’t like the impact plastic packaging had on the environment – as I learnt more, I began to worry about the impact it might be having on me.Plastic contains phthalates which are (possibly) carcinogenic and cause the feminisation of male animals exposed to them. They are found in the stuff used to wrap meats and cheeses. Bisphenol A is known to cause neurological and hormonal damage to lab animals. This is found in plastic food and drinks containers. There are indications that these chemicals can leach into the plastic wrapped products.
Two good reasons then to reject plastic wrapped products but its not easy and means going without all manner of foodstuffs. While my plastic free diet did result in weight loss it was exceedingly dull. The sensible part of me that wanted my hormones undamaged, said stick with it, the greedy me was lusting after a piece of phthalate ridden cheese. Hurrah then for Huddersfield permanent market where I recently discovered stalls that sell cheese, salami and Parma ham cut to order. These products are not entirely plastic free – the large cheeses and joints are covered with Clingfilm and the cuts are put into a plastic bag on purchase. But compared with pre-packed food, cheese in a sealed plastic wrapper or sliced ham spread out on a rigid plastic tray, the risks are minimised.
As I will have no truck with packaging waste, I take my own greaseproof paper bags and ask that they be used instead of the plastic bags provided. The market traders humour me and that’s another of the joys of shopping locally.
Of course there is a downside – the increases in dietary variety have lead to increases elsewhere – I’m talking hips. Sadly, there is no such thing as a free lunch – not even a green one.
I got my paper bags from e bay (www.ebay.co.uk). Busybee Packaging are the cheapest. The postage charge is the same as the cost of the bags which is annoying but I can’t find them for sale in the local shops. If any one knows where to buy them could they let me know.
