It's a sad fact that our society produces entirely too much waste. From excess packaging on foods, toys and other products to a failure to reduce, reuse and recycle, most of us are probably less eco-conscious than we'd like to admit. However, starting with choosing glass over plastic, you and your family can reduce waste, shrink your carbon footprint and reap tons of other advantages.
So, why is choosing glass over plastic so important, you might ask? The answers may surprise you. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the glass vs. plastic debate, including the top four reasons your family should make the switch.
1. Glass is Better for the Environment
First and foremost, our society's use of plastics has drastic consequences on the environment. Unlike food, paper, plant fibers and other biodegradable materials, plastic never decomposes. That's right: plastics never go away! Those plastic bottles we throw away after a single use, as well as all the other plastic items we toss out each and every day, never fully decompose, and are filling up oceans and landfills right at this very second. What's more, due to a pervasive "out of sight, out of mind" attitude, the landfills are growing exponentially by the day. And while producing some waste is inevitable, we can reduce the amount of trash we throw away. A simple, yet effective way to pare down waste is by switching from plastic to glass. Unlike plastics, glass bottles can be washed and reused, time and again. They produce little to no waste, are 100% recyclable, and are just as portable as their plastic counterparts.
2. Glass Bottles Save Money
The average family can spend hundreds, even thousands, of dollars each year on bottled drinks. Bottled water, alone, can cost a small fortune, even though we all have access to clean water from the tap. And though we may cite convenience as a primary reason for choosing bottled drinks, the benefits aren't worth the consequences.
To save money, try filling up drinking glasses or glass bottles with water, juice, tea or whichever beverage you prefer. If you're concerned with the cleanliness and safety of your tap water, a filter will rid your drinking water of impurities, and, with all the money you'll save from avoiding bottled water, will pay for itself in a few weeks' time. Also, most coffee shops and restaurants offer discounts to patrons who bring mugs from home; so when it comes to saving money, a reusable cup made from safe materials is a no-brainer.
3. Plastics Can be Hazardous to Health
You've probably heard about the harmful ingredients found in most plastics. Indeed, recent research shows that a single plastic bottle can contain tens of thousands of harmful chemicals! Even more alarming, these chemicals seep into the fluids we drink, and can cause a variety of complications to health. Of these chemicals, one of the most harmful is Bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA has been shown to affect hormonal balance, and has even been linked to certain types of cancer. And though many companies are making an effort to reduce BPA and other chemicals in their products, there's a lot to be said for erring on the side of caution by forgoing plastic for safe, chemical-free glass.
4. Choosing Glass Encourages Healthy Habits
As parents, we want to encourage healthy habits among our children. By choosing glass over plastic, we can foster healthy, earth-conscious behaviors, which our children will carry into adulthood and, with any hope, pass on to future generations. Plus, reducing waste and reusing glass bottles is an easy first step in making the world a better place, one day at a time.
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