If you want to know why is pet bad, there are several reasons that you might think about. The first reason is that there are many animals that are killed in the name of “pet.” This is a sad thing, as animal cruelty is not something we should do. The next reason is that the plastic used to make most of the toys we buy has harmful chemicals that can be absorbed into the water. Also, it is possible for plastic waste to be biodegraded, which could be a way to reduce plastic pollution.
PET plastic packaging leaches chemicals into the water
If you’re not familiar with PET plastic, it’s a lightweight plastic that’s used in a wide range of food packaging. It’s also often used in polyester-based textiles. However, it’s also been shown to leach toxic chemicals into water.
PET’s ability to be used for single-use plastic products has made it one of the most commonly used plastics. It’s marketed as BPA-free and recyclable. But it’s also been shown to contain estrogenic compounds that could cause hormonal imbalances.
PET is also thought to leach toxic metals like antimony. The metal can be dangerous in high amounts, causing heart and lung problems. A study in Canada found that PET bottles leached antimony into bottled drinking water.
Although the amount of antimony that can be leached from PET containers is relatively low, leaching can increase when the containers are exposed to heat or light. For instance, it’s been reported that bottles containing mineral water had higher levels of antimony than pressure-tight and heat-resistant bottles.
PET plastic toys contain a cocktail of chemicals
A wide array of chemicals make PET plastic toys more dangerous than they might appear. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce your child’s exposure.
If you want to be sure your child’s toys are safe, you should consider looking into the toy safety standards that are currently in place. ASTM F963-17 is one such standard. It breaks down toy safety into different parts, which include testing requirements and labeling requirements.
In addition to the toy’s required testing, the standard also provides helpful tips for choosing a toy that is safer for your child. These tips include using soft toys and choosing toys that have been FDA approved.
The standard also includes a list of sections that require third party testing. However, you won’t have to undergo the testing if the toy passes the standard’s criteria.
For example, the standard states that you can safely use a model clay if it contains at least 50 parts per million of soluble cadmium. Cadmium is a plastic stabilizer that affects normal brain growth and kidney function.
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) does not affect human health
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) is a common material found in your typical grocery store, sports bar or teen hangout. It is one of the most used plastics in the world and is used in a number of consumer and industrial products. The main use for PET is in the creation of clear plastic bottles for bottled water. Similarly, it is also a very common material for soda beverages. As a result, PET has accumulated a huge amount of trash in its wake. With a little imagination, this waste can be turned into something useful. One of the more effective ways to tackle the problem is to use a PET recycler, which uses a patented process for depolymerizing and recycling this plastic. This is done in a sanitary manner, and is an ideal way to reduce pollution. The end product is recyclable and is used to produce many other types of containers.
Biodegradation of waste PET could be a solution for reducing plastic pollution
As part of a circular economy, biodegradation of waste PET could be an important step toward reducing plastic pollution. PET is the most abundant polyester manufactured worldwide, and the end-of-life waste it accumulates poses a serious threat to oceans and ecosystems.
Waste PET accumulates in natural systems and in landfills, resulting in a huge risk for the marine environment. Conventional clean-up strategies can no longer compete with the growing amount of waste in the environment. Biotechnology opens the door to more sustainable solutions.
Biodegradation of waste PET can be achieved through a combination of mechanical and biological processes. Unlike olefinic polymers, PET is more susceptible to nature degradation. However, there are challenges to the commercialization of these processes.
The physicochemical degradation of PET involves the decomposition of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. A number of hydrolytic enzymes are available in nature for these processes. These include lipases, esterases, and hydroxylases.