Plastics Scorecard heralds new era of safer plastics use

By switching the plastic used in its IV bags, Dignity Health care system kept 700,000 pounds of high-concern chemicals - the equivalent in weight of a Boeing 747 airplane -- out of the environment, according to a new analysis that measures the "chemical footprint" of plastics.

The Plastics Scorecard v.1.0 offers the first comprehensive method for assessing and reducing chemicals of high concern in plastics and was designed to help companies choose safter plastics.

"From baby bottles made with BPA to medical devices made with phthalates, plastics are a surprising source of exposure to chemicals of high concern for our health and the environment," said Ann Blake, PhD, co-author of the report and Principal at Environmental & Public Health Consulting. "Forward looking businesses are looking closely at plastics for chemicals that may be subject to future regulations or consumer scrutiny."

"Plastics are possibly the largest contributor of any material to the toxic chemical economy. For example, plastics consume 96% of global Bisphenol A (BPA) production," added Mark Rossi, PhD, co-director of Clean Production Action and co-author of the report. "If we are ever to attain a green chemistry economy, we need to shift plastics manufacturing to chemicals of low concern to human health and the environment."

Check out the Plastics Scorecard here.

Picture credit: © Jason Smith | Dreamstime Stock Photos