We have two young girls. One toddler and one in primary school and we have become increasingly aware of the absolutely terrifying statistics around the negative effects of plastic use on our lives and more concerningly, our children's lives.
We were brought up in the 80s and 90s and I fear our generation are only just starting to feel the effects of the choices we have made as a population. We have consumed plastic on mass, assumed it is safe and assumed it is OK because it is so widely used.
I recently listened to a podcast where the guest was a toxicologist (Dr. Yvonne Burkart) and she talks through the things we think are normal that really, really aren't. And it completely makes sense...We are seeing increased instances of early onset cancers, growing health conditions and concerns and there just doesn't seem to be any urgency.
Obviously, health and poor health specifically is nuanced and different people will be affected in different ways but we personally had never fully realised the impact of plastic on our lives. The fact that plastic contacting food and drink is likely to be affecting the hormones and development of our little girls is absolutely terrifying!
Purely out of spreading awareness, I would urge every person and indeed, every parent, to listen to the podcast from the Diary of a CEO with Dr. Yvonne Burkart. We personally found it spurred us on to make changes. Also, I would 100% recommend listening to the same podcast series but the Guest Dr. William Li.
As parents of two young girls, we have made changes. But not enough. and we would really welcome any suggestions that other people may have.
We have done the following:
- started to throw away plastic tupperware
- replace plastic bottles with stainless steel
- replaced a few cooking pans (still need to do more)
- changed the soap and shampoos to more natural products
- changed the kettle to a non plastic option
But, the more you look at it and start to makes changes, the more you realise it is virtually impossible to avoid!!
Again, we would really welcome anyone else's experiences and suggestions to reduce and remove harmful toxic chemicals from our lives!!