I haven't had a microwave for over 15 years. The last few years of its use I limited to heating water in ceramic cups.
I notice many at my job microwaving their lunches in plastic containers. Instant food, home cooked meals etc. One coworker heats a soup bowl every day, and honestly the dominant smell is burnt plastic / chemical like.
Another warms his coffee in the microwave using the same paper/ plastic cup it comes in when purchased.
These are habits to avoid in my view.
There are many ‘boil in bag’ / instant food products out there that encourage cooking inside the plastic container. Not sure if the plastic bags for roasting chicken are still around too, but those are likely another source of microplastics exposure.
I can't remember the last time I drank out of a plastic bottle and I have made the switch from plastic storage containers to glass and ceramic ones, but my issue is the lids. My stainless coffee mug has a hard plastic lid that the steam rolls off of and drips back into my coffee and the glass bowls all have plastic lids to snap securely over the glass that easily crack and chip so I'm trying to buy silicone replacements for those. But even though I quit storing leftovers in plastic we still end up with those black bottom/clear lid clamshells in the dishwasher for reuse. So I often wonder about that coating the rest of my dishes and the wastewater going down the drain. I have also questioned the coffee pot. Mostly, I accuse myself of thinking too much and just do the best I can when I can and I don't really obsess over it, but I would love to find some replacement/reusable lids that aren't plastic.
"My question, without an answer - what about my coffee maker with plastic parts inside?"
I can't seem to find the source, but I'm almost sure I read a study a few weeks ago that suggested that as long as you use a paper filter with your coffee, you're mostly protected. Apparently paper filters do a pretty good job of filtering out microplastics.
The idea of using a French press seems good at first, but there's quite a bit of research indicating that drinking unfiltered coffee raises LDL cholesterol, probably due to cafestol. Paper filters eliminate this effect. So for the moment, I think I'll stick with my plastic drip maker with a paper filter.
I haven't had a microwave for over 15 years. The last few years of its use I limited to heating water in ceramic cups.
I notice many at my job microwaving their lunches in plastic containers. Instant food, home cooked meals etc. One coworker heats a soup bowl every day, and honestly the dominant smell is burnt plastic / chemical like.
Another warms his coffee in the microwave using the same paper/ plastic cup it comes in when purchased.
These are habits to avoid in my view.
There are many ‘boil in bag’ / instant food products out there that encourage cooking inside the plastic container. Not sure if the plastic bags for roasting chicken are still around too, but those are likely another source of microplastics exposure.
Thanks for your article!
I can't remember the last time I drank out of a plastic bottle and I have made the switch from plastic storage containers to glass and ceramic ones, but my issue is the lids. My stainless coffee mug has a hard plastic lid that the steam rolls off of and drips back into my coffee and the glass bowls all have plastic lids to snap securely over the glass that easily crack and chip so I'm trying to buy silicone replacements for those. But even though I quit storing leftovers in plastic we still end up with those black bottom/clear lid clamshells in the dishwasher for reuse. So I often wonder about that coating the rest of my dishes and the wastewater going down the drain. I have also questioned the coffee pot. Mostly, I accuse myself of thinking too much and just do the best I can when I can and I don't really obsess over it, but I would love to find some replacement/reusable lids that aren't plastic.
A french press may be a good alternative to a traditional coffee machine.
That's become my solution as well. A glass French press seems to be the only real alternative to coffee makers with plastic interiors.
They are great. Though I tend to break them a bit too easy😂
Thank you, yes, I need to shop for a new one because the lid and the frame for the screen is plastic.
"My question, without an answer - what about my coffee maker with plastic parts inside?"
I can't seem to find the source, but I'm almost sure I read a study a few weeks ago that suggested that as long as you use a paper filter with your coffee, you're mostly protected. Apparently paper filters do a pretty good job of filtering out microplastics.
The idea of using a French press seems good at first, but there's quite a bit of research indicating that drinking unfiltered coffee raises LDL cholesterol, probably due to cafestol. Paper filters eliminate this effect. So for the moment, I think I'll stick with my plastic drip maker with a paper filter.