3 ms·

Something I recently learned is that PFAS, which might be a carcinogen and probably isn’t good for you, are in compostable take-way containers. https://www.cbc

by yasman 3y ago

Something I recently learned is that PFAS, which might be a carcinogen and probably isn’t good for you, are in compostable take-way containers. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/pfas-compostable-food-packaging-1.6794550 https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/pfas-compostable-food-packag...

vladvasiliu 3y ago
I was always a bit surprised to see these. At work, we used to have your classic Nespresso plasticy-cardboard coffee cups. They could be reused during the day, but you'd basically throw them away after a few uses. Now we get some "eco" "compostable" ones. To my untrained eye, aside from the different color, they look and feel exactly the same. They even have a drawing on them that I interpret as "we kill turtles". Not sure how these can be considered "green". I'm also curious how healthy it is to drink a hot beverage out of them.
- yasman 3y ago
  IMO anything that is heated and plastic or plastic-adjacent is suspect. Not to mention the fact a lot of these “eco” things need special equipment to process which isn’t available everywhere
  - Gigachad 3y ago
    The eco cups are PLA. They are derived from a completely different source from the petrochemical plastics. While that doesn't on it's own make them completely safe, they likely have massively different properties from other plastics.
    - yasman 3y ago
      Thank you for sharing this - an interesting rabbit hole to go down. Found this with some quick googling: https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12726 https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12... Seems like the risk comes from additives to PLA? Seems exhausting to try and stay informed. Anyway, thanks for the info.
    - marcosdumay 3y ago
      > The eco cups are PLA. That is very surprising given that PLA can't support heat. Does the cup get out of the machine in a complete different shape? Because if it's PLA, it should.

by yasman 3y ago

vladvasiliu 3y ago

I was always a bit surprised to see these. At work, we used to have your classic Nespresso plasticy-cardboard coffee cups. They could be reused during the day, but you'd basically throw them away after a few uses. Now we get some "eco" "compostable" ones. To my untrained eye, aside from the different color, they look and feel exactly the same. They even have a drawing on them that I interpret as "we kill turtles". Not sure how these can be considered "green". I'm also curious how healthy it is to drink a hot beverage out of them.

yasman 3y ago
IMO anything that is heated and plastic or plastic-adjacent is suspect. Not to mention the fact a lot of these “eco” things need special equipment to process which isn’t available everywhere
- Gigachad 3y ago
  The eco cups are PLA. They are derived from a completely different source from the petrochemical plastics. While that doesn't on it's own make them completely safe, they likely have massively different properties from other plastics.
  - yasman 3y ago
    Thank you for sharing this - an interesting rabbit hole to go down. Found this with some quick googling: https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12726 https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12... Seems like the risk comes from additives to PLA? Seems exhausting to try and stay informed. Anyway, thanks for the info.
  - marcosdumay 3y ago
    > The eco cups are PLA. That is very surprising given that PLA can't support heat. Does the cup get out of the machine in a complete different shape? Because if it's PLA, it should.