A Focus on Microplastics (written by a mum who freaked out and made her own bamboo dishes!)
Long before I started EcoCubs and our range of sustainable bamboo dishes, when I was pregnant with my second son, I started reading little bits in the media here and there about “microplastics”. Why did this particular term grab my attention amongst all the other goings-on in the world? Because research was showing these tiny little particles had been found in humans. Their poop to be exact. And not any old poop… the stools of little kids… and even in human placentas! Microplastics weren’t only making their marks on generations who had been using plastic for decades, but on bubs before they were even born! 🤯
Human health aside, they are now rampant in our oceans and wildlife and cause endless harm to our beautiful environment.
And so began the search for non-plastic products for my home wherever possible. One of the biggest challenges: safe dinnerware for the kids. Enter our bamboo dishes and the creation of EcoCubs (but that’s a loooong story for another day…)
Here I just want to help you by sharing my findings, because reading the research and fine-print can be time consuming and hard when your kids are throwing all sorts of demands your way (trust me- I learnt the hard way!)
So what Even ARE Microplastics?
Microplastics are minuscule fragments of plastic that measure less than 5 millimetres in size—roughly the size of a sesame seed or smaller. These tiny particles can be as small as a grain of sand or even smaller. They originate from a variety of sources, primarily the breakdown of larger plastic items. When plastic products like bottles, bags, or synthetic clothing are exposed to environmental elements such as sunlight, wind, and water, they gradually degrade into these small particles through a process known as photo-degradation.
There are two main types of microplastics:
Primary Microplastics:
These are manufactured to be small, such as the micro-beads found in some exfoliating skincare products, cleaning agents, and even toothpaste. They are intentionally created to have a specific size and function.
Secondary Microplastics:
These result from the fragmentation of larger plastic items. As plastic waste, like plastic bottles, bags, and other products, breaks down over time due to weathering and physical wear, it forms smaller pieces of plastic.
Why Do we Want to Avoid Microplastics?
Microplastics can accumulate in the food chain and pose health risks for both humans and wildlife. For children, who are especially sensitive to potential toxins, minimising exposure to microplastics is vital.
Research shows microplastics can cause potential inflammation to the human body and cause toxicity from absorbed chemicals, with possible links to disease like cancer. The long-term effects are still being studied but early findings are concerning.
Wildlife are also at high risk as animals often mistake microplastics for food, leading to digestive blockages, malnutrition, reproductive problems and behavioral changes.
When it comes to our environment, the research is extensive, conclusive and oh so concerning! Microplastics have been found to degrade soil health, affect water quality, and disrupt aquatic plants and animals. It contributes to habitat breakdown like that being seen in coral reefs all over the world.
And the most concerning part? Microplastics remain in the environment for hundreds of years! So unless we can eliminate them at the source, microplastics are here to stay.
Why do Non-Toxic and Plastic-Free Materials Matter?
Traditional plastics degrade into microplastics over time. This makes the choice of food-contact materials particularly important as research shows that microplastics can leach into food, particularly when that food might be hot or the dinnerware is starting to break down.
I know it’s hard to change everything, but a crucial start for our family was finding dinnerware and bamboo dishes for our kids that’s made from non-toxic and eco-friendly materials. Firstly, because it will help protect my children’s health and secondly, because it will help with the health of this beautiful planet we call home!
Kids Dinnerware Materials: The Front Runners
Plant-based fibres. *Note- this is NOT the same as straightforward bamboo!*
Some years ago, standard bamboo dishes were all the rage, marketed as the best non-toxic and eco-friendly choice. What wasn’t disclosed, is that plain old bamboo fibre dinnerware also includes a resin to enhance its strength and ability to bind. These resins are more often than not… melamine (!!). Melamine= made from formaldehyde, non-biodegradable and highly toxic for human health. Because of this, they’ve even been banned for sale in many parts of Europe.
It’s crucial to choose the RIGHT “bamboo dishes”. Enter 100% plant-based dinnerware. Many still contain bamboo, but instead of synthetic resins like melamine, they use natural binders made from plant starch or sugarcane. These materials are designed to be biodegradable and compostable, breaking down into natural components without leaving harmful residues. There’s also a heap of environmental benefits to choosing plant-based dinnerware over non disposable plastic plates.
And this is where my search led me when I first created our small business… EcoCubs bamboo dishes are certified 100% plant-based dinnerware. Made from 70% bamboo fibres and 30% plant-based starch binder such as corn or PLA. They’re also simple in design, without the tacky cartoon characters, and will suit any home. As an extra bonus, they’re dishwasher AND microwave safe. I wanted health and sustainability… but I also value easy!
Stainless Steel Kid’s Dinnerware
Stainless steel is another excellent choice for avoiding microplastics. It’s endlessly durable, and if you choose the right food-grade variety, it’s non-toxic, free from anything harmful and it is an absolute winner for the environment! Why? Because stainless steel is 100% recyclable and it can be recycled again, and again… and again! From a carbon emissions point of view, it’s also very low energy to produce.
Why is it great for kids? It’s practical, long-lasting, almost impossible to ruin, and it's dishwasher safe! It might not be the most aesthetic of choices (although watch this space… we’re working on something that will match the cuteness of our existing bamboo dishes), but I think that can be forgiven when you consider the health and environmental benefits.
It’s also why we decided to release our range of Stainless Steel Cutlery, a product that we spent over a year perfecting. We wanted to make sure the practicality of stainless steel could go toe to toe with the other important factors like cuteness and ergonomics.
Raw Wood or Bamboo (as in, in their natural state)
Another material that I liked the look of during my search was straight wood and untainted bamboo in their natural state (there’s even bowls out there made from coconut shells!)
The obvious benefit to these materials are that they are unchanged from their original state- they’re purely made using the existing components of the plant or tree. Because of this, they’re sustainably sourced and completely biodegradable, making them an easy eco-friendly choice to help reduce plastic waste. Bamboo and wood are also naturally durable and resistant to staining, which makes them ideal for everyday use by kids. (Bamboo in particular is lightweight yet incredibly strong, making it easy for little ones to handle). Without all the usual additives, they’re naturally non-toxic.
Once parents started to request a safe suction option for their younger children, I decided to release EcoCubs Bamboo Suction Range. The suction feature on our bowls and plates has been tested and verified by my three wild bears. However, as they are natural in their composition they obviously can’t go in the dishwasher, so there is a small compromise to consider when looking at opting for bamboo or wood dinnerware.
Silicone Dinnerware
(although the jury is still out on this one!)
Silicone, derived from silicon and oxygen, is a non-toxic, durable material. And unlike plastics, silicone does not degrade into microplastics or harm your little one’s foods. It is heat-resistant, flexible, and easy to clean, making it an ideal choice across the market for children’s dinnerware.
So why are we still undecided? Because while technically, silicone is recyclable… there’s not really anywhere to recycle it! And I’ve looked! Which means it will likely end up in landfill. While it won’t necessarily leak harmful toxins into the earth like plastic does, I will always prefer an easily compostable or recyclable material.
For this reason, I’ve opted to use silicone sparingly in our products and more importantly, chose to start EcoCubs Silicone Send Back Scheme. This program allows customers to return any EcoCubs silicone to us and we’ll return them to our manufacturer for reuse.
The Bottom Line - Bamboo Dishes for the Win!
When hunting for your kid’s dinnerware, I get the options can be overwhelming. The main thing to consider is non-toxic materials that minimise the risk of microplastic contamination for your family and the planet. While the choices certainly aren’t endless, they are out there! I hope this helps to ease your mind when it comes to the concerning research and assist in narrowing down the choices for your own home ☺️