One question I have that might be relatively tractable: if I’m using plastic containers for leftovers, how much difference is there between
Store in the container, put on plate to microwave and eat.
Store and microwave in the container, put on plate to eat.
Who needs a plate anyway? Just eat from the container.
The bit about plastic chopping boards kind of hints that (3) might give a lot more microplastics than (2)? But you’re probably less violent to the container than the chopping board.
Something related that you CAN do, and that is more likely to make a difference, is not ever to heat up plastic in a microwave, wash it in a dishwasher, or cook with plastic utensils. Basically, the softening agents in a lot of plastics aren’t chemically bonded to the rest of the polymers, and heating the plastic makes those chemicals ready to leach into whatever food contacts them. That’s a huge class of chemicals, none of which are LD-50-level dangerous, but many of which have been associated with hormonal changes, microbiome issues, and a whole host of other stuff that fits in the general category of “Why do organisms work differently than they did 100 years ago?”
Notably this is about plasticizers, a different thing than microplastics.
One question I have that might be relatively tractable: if I’m using plastic containers for leftovers, how much difference is there between
Store in the container, put on plate to microwave and eat.
Store and microwave in the container, put on plate to eat.
Who needs a plate anyway? Just eat from the container.
The bit about plastic chopping boards kind of hints that (3) might give a lot more microplastics than (2)? But you’re probably less violent to the container than the chopping board.
This reddit thread has the claim:
Notably this is about plasticizers, a different thing than microplastics.