5 min read
How Healthy Is Recycled Plastic, Really?
Recycled plastic may benefit the planet, but this article examines its safety within the home.
WORDS Elissa Rose
With sustainability top of mind, recycled plastic has gained ground as a responsible alternative to newly manufactured plastic. It now turns up in everything from storage containers and furniture to children’s toys. But as it becomes more common in our homes, a pressing question lingers beneath the surface: how healthy is the recycled plastic we live with and touch every day?
On the surface, recycled plastic appears to be a win-win. It diverts waste from landfills and oceans, lowers demand for fossil-fuel-derived virgin plastic, and supports a more circular economy. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, transitioning to a comprehensive model of recycled and reused plastic could reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80 percent and generate 200 billion dollars per year in savings while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. However, health experts and scientists are beginning to raise concerns about its safety in domestic settings.
Chemical Contaminants: A Hidden Risk
One of the core issues with recycled plastic is contamination. During recycling, different plastic types are often mixed, and the materials may come from various sources, including industrial, agricultural and household waste. This increases the risk that recycled plastics contain additives or residues from their previous lives.
Studies show that toxic substances such as brominated flame retardants, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and heavy metals can survive the recycling process. Research identifying chemicals in recycled plastic intended for manufacturing recycled goods detected over 280 chemicals, including organophosphate esters, phthalates and benzophenones, as well as 36 elements in the plastic samples. These chemicals can leach into indoor air and dust, particularly in warm or humid environments, or when plastics are used in food-contact products, furniture or textiles. They have also been shown to be toxic in vitro, putting the health of unborn children and pregnant women at risk.
Learn more about phthalates and bisphenols: The Six Chemical Classes: Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates
This is particularly concerning in enclosed home environments where off-gassing from materials can accumulate. Research from the EPA shows that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, with some pollutants sourced directly from building materials and furnishings, many of which contain plastics.
Microplastics in the Home
Recycled plastics can also be sources of microplastics within indoor environments. Activities like cutting, scrubbing or general wear and tear of recycled plastic items can release microplastic particles, which become airborne and settle in household dust, leading to potential inhalation by occupants.
Studies have shown that indoor environments can have higher concentrations of microplastics compared to outdoor settings. For instance, research indicates that indoor air contains microplastic concentrations ranging from 35 to 2,119 fibers per cubic foot, whereas outdoor air concentrations are significantly lower. This elevated indoor presence is attributed to the abundance of plastic-containing household items, including those made from recycled plastics.
The health implications of inhaling microplastics are an area of ongoing research. Emerging evidence suggests that these particles may cause oxidative stress, metabolic disorders and immune system disruptions. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and behaviors that increase exposure risks, such as playing on floors where microplastics accumulate.
Discover the dangers posed by microplastics: Understanding Microplastics: What They Are and What You Can Do About Them
Healthier Recycled Plastic?
That said, not all recycled plastic is created equal. Post-industrial recycled (PIR) plastic, which comes from manufacturing scrap rather than consumer waste, is considered cleaner and more predictable in composition. Closed-loop recycling, where plastic products are recycled back into the same product type, also tends to have lower contamination.
Brands that use traceable, certified recycled plastic, like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certified, are more likely to meet health and environmental benchmarks. Third-party certifications help ensure transparency in sourcing and limit harmful additives.
However, there's still no universal system to ensure the health safety of recycled plastics in household items. The lack of regulation, especially in non-food contact applications, means it’s largely up to manufacturers to disclose material content and safety practices.
The Environmental Impact
Despite these health concerns, the environmental case for recycled plastic remains strong. Recycling saves energy, significantly reduces plastic pollution and supports waste management efforts in cities overwhelmed by landfill and ocean-bound waste. However, if recycled plastic is toxic to the people using it, especially in the long term, this undermines the very sustainability ethos it promotes. The challenge, then, is not to abandon recycled plastic altogether, but to demand better standards for its use in the built environment.
What You Can Do
The good news? With awareness and a bit of label-reading, you can make safer choices. Here’s a quick checklist to guide your use of recycled plastic in the home.
- Look for Third-Party Certifications: Prioritize products with Global Recycled Standard or Recycled Claim Standard certifications, which assess material content and traceability.
- Avoid Recycled Plastic in Food Contact or Children’s Products: Unless strictly regulated and certified (e.g. BPA-free, food-grade), steer clear of recycled plastic in water bottles, lunchboxes, utensils or toys.
- Favor Closed-Loop or PIR Sources: Check if the brand specifies closed-loop or post-industrial recycled sources, which tend to be cleaner than post-consumer recycled plastic.
- Reduce Friction-Heavy Use: Avoid recycled plastic products that will be scrubbed, scuffed or worn down frequently (such as rugs, cutting boards or textiles), as these can release microplastics.
- Check for Transparency: Choose brands that disclose what’s in their recycled plastics. Transparency on additives and fillers signals accountability.
- Combine with Good Ventilation: Use air purifiers and ventilate your home regularly to reduce airborne toxins and microplastics from all sources, including recycled materials.
Feature Image: Pasja 1000 / Pixabay