Plastic BagsAn awful load of rubbishWant your Future to flourish here?Think. Respond. & Act NOW

To save yourself and your offspring, & This Earth UNWIND YOUR POLYTHENE ROPES Prepared byB.Vijaya Kumari, M.Sc Nursing, Vijaya College of Nursing.

PLASTICS: Your Formidable Enemy Plastic is ubiquitous in our lives because it is convenient and relatively inexpensive.TYPES OF PLASTIC BAGS Biodegradable Degradable DO YOU KNOW? When you eat or drink things stored in plastic, plastic is incorporated into you. S0? It causes immune and enzyme disorders, hormonal disruption leading to endocrinal disorders and even infertility and is also cause cancer. Not only human health, it dangerously effects other animal life and alters the environmental (air, water and soil) sustainability causing hazardous pollution.

IDENTIFICATION CODES

SymbolsPlastic applicationHealth hazards

Plastic soft drink, water, sports drink, beer, Peanut butter, pickle, jellies and jam jars.

Asthma, allergies, Menstrual problems and miscarriage, developmental problems for children.

Milk, water, juice, cosmetic, shampoo, dish and laundry detergent bottles; 'SAFER' PLASTIC

Clear food and non-food packaging, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation,MOST HAZARDOUSasthma and allergic, cancer

Dry cleaning, bread and frozen food bags.Squeezable bottles,'SAFER' PLASTIC

Catsup bottles, yogurt containers, medicine bottles'SAFER' PLASTIC

Compact disc jackets, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, cups, plates, cutleryReproductive and developmental problems, affects brain.

Plastic baby bottles, clear Sippy cups, reusable water bottlesBehavioral problems in children, chromosomal damage, altered immune status.

If you have to use plastic, it is safest to stick to numbers 2, 4 & 5. (See the products before you get).PLASTIC TIPS Returned all plastic bags to supermarkets for recycling, larger supermarkets recycle bags. Avoid using plastic bags as dust bin liners. Simply put your rubbish straight into your household bin and give the bin a quick rinse afterwards, then reuse the water on your garden. OR: Three layers of broadsheet newspaper as a bin liner can also work well. Avoid polycarbonate (#7) baby bottles and Sippy cups. For baby bottles, try and use glass or stainless steel. If you must use polycarbonate (#7) bottles, avoid heating food and drink in the bottle. Heat it in a separate container and transfer it to the bottle once it is warm enough for the child to eat or drink. For drinking water, try and avoid plastic bottles. If you do use plastic bottles made from #1 or #2 plastic try not to reuse them as they are intended only for single use. One alternative is a stainless steel water bottle. For storing large quantities of water, glass and stainless steel containers are also available. Use Glass / Ceramic instead of plastic in Microwave as leaching increases when plastic comes into contact with oily or fatty foods, or when the plastic is scratched, worn, cracked, or sticky. Say NO to plastic bags. Try to use alternatives to plastic packaging and storage containers. Cloth, paper or cardboard are possibilities for transporting groceries.

Avoid plastic dishes and utensils for meals. Alternatives include glass, ceramic, wood & stainless steel Offer your child or grandchild a non-plastic dish set made of either stainless steel or wood. When you cant avoid plastic, check container bottoms for recycling codes (in triangle with chasing arrows). Choose those easily recycled.OUR RESPONSIBILITYSeparate.. Store.. And hand over for proper recycling or disposal.Do not let plastic litter the environment.

SAVE EARTH