If Not Single Use Plastics – What?

Evidence is mounting that plastics, microplastics and their additive chemicals pose serious health risks to humans , with babies and infants being the most vulnerable. 

Microplastics bioaccumulate in our major organs, including the brain, and there is evidence that nanoplastics can breach the blood-brain barrier. Microplastics have been found in the human placenta. Microplastics and their additive chemicals have been linked to higher rates of both miscarriage and male infertility. They have been detected in dairy milk and breast milk. Microplastics and their additive chemicals are both shed and leached from plastic toys, clothes, furniture and even the soft ‘crumb tire’ of playgrounds. Which is why studies have shown there is a higher percentage of microplastics in the air we breathe inside than there are in the air we breathe outside. 

Microplastic ingestion, inhalation and bioaccumulation have been linked to a wide range of health issues in children; one study found that phthalate exposure (a chemical used in the making of certain types of plastics) was associated with a 20% higher rate of childhood cancer overall.

Weathered microplastics are even more damaging than virgin microplastics as they can absorb toxic chemicals and heavy metals, as well as potentially carrying viruses and hosting bacteria.

EARTHDAY.ORG is dedicated to removing these harmful plastics from the environment and by default ourselves, through initiatives like The Great Global Cleanup and through relentless advocacy work calling for a cap on plastic production. We know that we need to turn off the plastic tap. 

On top of calling for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040, we recognise we need viable alternatives to plastic, products that are plastic free, non-toxic, and are truly biodegradable. Check out some of these companies and entrepreneurs working on. Ending our plastic nightmare with potentially viable options: 

Company: Footprint

Product: Fiber Based Bowls

During his 15 years as an engineer at Intel, Mr. Swope, the CEO and co-founder of Footprint, found himself evolving into an “accidental environmentalist,” a transformation sparked by his firsthand experiences with the staggering amount of waste generated within the shipping and supply chain. 

Witnessing the excessive plastic packaging accompanying Intel products was eye-opening, but his concerns deepened when he discovered that silicon wafers—integral components of Intel’s processors—were classified as tainted after being transported in plastic containers that resembled those used for grocery store fruit. 

This revelation ignited a passion for change, leading to the creation of Footprint. The company’s innovative fiber-based alternative to single-use plastic is essentially a cardboard product with a long shelf life that rivals that of traditional plastics. Remarkably, it is not only completely biodegradable and compostable but also microwave-safe, providing a sustainable solution that stands in stark contrast to conventional plastic packaging.

Company: Notpla

Product: Ooho

During the 2019 London Marathon, a groundbreaking shift occurred when athletes were provided with edible drink pods instead of traditional single-use cups. These innovative capsules, known as Ooho and created by the company Notpla, are made from seaweed and contain a sports drink that can be consumed directly or allowed to decompose naturally within 3-6 weeks. 

By harnessing materials like seaweed for edible packaging, Notpla aims to tackle the pressing issue of plastic waste, and major corporations are beginning to take notice of this burgeoning trend toward food-based plastic alternatives.  While edible packaging offers a promising solution to plastic pollution, challenges remain, particularly concerning hygiene, affordability, and the adaptability and durability of conventional plastics. 

The long-term structural integrity of seaweed-based materials raises concerns about potential toxicity and allergic reactions, issues that may not be adequately addressed during production. Moreover, this sector is still in its infancy, facing hurdles related to scalability and competitive pricing compared to traditional packaging solutions. Additionally, the environmental impacts of large-scale seaweed farming remain largely unknown, posing further questions about the sustainability of such alternatives.

Company: Ecovative Design

Product: Mycelium packaging 

Ecovative is an innovative biotech company that leverages its Mycelium Biofabrication Platform to develop sustainable materials that challenge conventional manufacturing practices. 

By molding materials during the growth process—like 3D printing—or refining them through machining or cutting, Ecovative creates innovative composites that often incorporate wood salvage or agricultural waste to enhance both volume and strength. The company meticulously adjusts temperature and moisture levels within its incubators for each mycelium strain, effectively replicating the conditions found underground. 

This careful cultivation encourages the mycelium to grow as fibrous structures rather than producing mushroom caps. Through this unique approach, Ecovative has successfully developed materials such as mushroom leather, which serves as an excellent alternative to Styrofoam, a notoriously toxic and hard to clean plastic

Company: Loliware

Product: Straws

The New York-based startup Loliware is revolutionizing sustainable consumption with its innovative flavored straws made from agar derived from red algae and alginate sourced from seaweed. 

These straws mimic the texture of plastic when wet, maintaining their integrity for up to 24 hours without becoming soggy—an impressive feat compared to traditional paper straws. Loliware claims their straws are not only edible but will also break down in the environment within two months. Utilizing seaweed offers several significant advantages; it is cultivated by farmers globally without the need for fertilizers or freshwater, making it a more sustainable option than many alternatives. 

Furthermore, seaweed farming contributes to the blue economy by creating job opportunities and fostering coastal communities. As an added benefit, seaweed serves as a powerful carbon sink, capable of capturing 5 to 20 times more carbon per unit area than land-based forests. In this context, Loliware’s seaweed-based straws emerge as a compelling and environmentally friendly alternative in the ongoing search for sustainable packaging solutions.

Company: PhyCo

Product: Sargassum based Bioplastic

With their sargassum seaweed-derived bioplastic, Vancouver-based firm PhyCo Technologies Inc. is leading the way in sustainable materials by providing the durability of conventional plastics without the environmental cost. Ranah Chavoshi, the CEO and co-founder, highlights that their product has an environmentally friendly production process in addition to being as durable as traditional plastics. Seaweed will be harvested by PhyCo’s coastal First Nations partners, with a focus on an invasive species that is spreading quickly. 

After that, this seaweed will be processed and turned into bioplastics. This production initiative will create a revenue source and jobs while providing environmentally friendly bioplastic products for use within their communities. This seaweed-based plastic is completely biodegradable on land and in marine habitats as well, and it uses less energy to make. PhyCo’s bioplastic decomposes cleanly, perhaps enhancing ecosystems as it does so, in contrast to conventional plastics that leave a legacy of microplastic contamination.

Ongoing research, however, has shown that over 67% of the plant-based and bioplastic materials under investigation include hazardous compounds, raising questions regarding their safety. Indicating possible endocrine disruption, numerous samples displayed a range of harmful effects, such as baseline toxicity, oxidative stress, antiandrogenic action, and moderate estrogenicity. Production additives and residual compounds, which are impacted by raw materials and manufacturing processes, are the primary source of the hazardous chemicals.

With the emergence of these innovative alternatives to plastics, entrepreneurs and scientists are making significant strides toward a plastic and toxin free tomorrow. 

These products not only replicate the desirable characteristics of traditional plastics but also reduce emissions and pose no threat to human health or the surrounding ecosystems. 

By prioritizing safety and sustainability, future generations will be able to utilize these materials without the anxiety of adverse effects. This shift paves the way for a cleaner future—one where vast patches of plastic pollution are a thing of the past, allowing our planet to thrive in a healthier, more balanced environment.

If you want to get involved in the anti-plastics movement and be part of the network that stands up to the fossil fuel  owned plastics industry EARTHDAY.ORG invites you to sign our Global Plastics Treaty to call on the United Nations and governments around the world to commit to a 60% reduction of all fossil fuel-based plastic production by 2040. 

This fight, Planet vs. Plastics, has only just begun — it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.  The health of our children depends on it.

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• single-use plastics