Tupperware, Plastic Water Bottles and Safer Alternatives

The Negatives:

The health alarming chemical BPA can be found in some Tupperware items.  For the whole story please check out the article at VegFamily.com.

Another researcher has linked plastic containers and water bottles to a scary health problem.  Xenoestrogens can be found in plastics and can lead to a hormonal imbalance.  To learn about Xenoestrogens, plastics and their threat to your body, check out this blog from Samantha Thoms.

Safer Options:

To avoid the potential dangers of plastic some people will not reheat food in Tupperware or put it in the dishwasher whereas some people have decided to say good-bye to plastics altogether.  If you are considering an alternative to plastic storage glass is a good option.  The only obvious downfall is the fragility.   Pyrex sells a wide variety of glass containers.
Other options include biodegradable food containers.  World Centric makes containers from PLA (polylactic acid) which comes from corn.

As for BPA free water bottles a number of stores carry them including:  Caelbak, REI and many local organic stores will have them in stock.  You can also order a stainless steel bottle from www.reusablebags.com Free shipping is allotted to orders over $50.

You can purchase the ones in the photo for just under $20.  They are designed in Switzerland and are very sturdy with a convenient loop cap.

After looking at all of my food containers, I found that they are all imprinted with a number 2 on the bottom and one blank one, which I tossed.  My plan is to try some glass container options and slowly replace the plastic ones just to be on the safe side.  And I defiantly will not be reusing any plastic water bottles!