{"id":56652,"date":"2025-03-18T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/?p=56652"},"modified":"2025-11-27T09:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T08:35:07","slug":"plastic-lunchbox-and-drinking-cup-with-plasticisers-replaced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/en\/plastic-broodtrommel-en-drinkbeker-met-weekmakers-vervangen\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastic lunchbox and drinking cup with plasticisers replaced?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It could just be that your plastic lunchbox and sippy cup contain substances that can get into your food and drink and are not so good for your health - let alone that of your kids. Aii. But bisphenol A (BPA) was banned not so long ago, wasn't it? We hear you thinking. No, this is about a different substance - plasticisers - called DIBP.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Plasticisers in drinking bottles and lunch boxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is true that most of the plastic drinking cups, bottles, lunch boxes and lunch trays you buy these days are BPA-free (it is even now prohibited by law<\/a>). But that does not mean they are completely free of harmful substances. At least, chances are they are not. We like to explain: a lesser-known substance that has not yet been banned is Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), a plasticiser that makes plastic flexible and pliable. You find it in plastic packaging, glue, printing ink, toys and some lunchboxes and drinking cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens in the dishwasher?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research by the Antidote Foundation shows that DIBP can be released under certain circumstances. This is worrying because DIBP, like the banned substance BPA, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to fertility and developmental problems in unborn children, among other things. The researchers found that DIBP is released in plastic drinking bottles when they are washed frequently in the dishwasher. And let's face it: that's exactly how most people clean their lunchboxes and drinking cups. But what next? Should we throw away these cheerful tumblers and cups immediately? Or is there a smarter solution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers tested 39 plastic drinking bottles and found that more than half started giving off DIBP after several dishwashing cycles. Before dishwashing, this substance had only been found in one bottle. To check, there was also a test group that washed the bottles by hand. And what turned out? No increase in DIBP was measured in these bottles. This indicates that it is mainly the dishwasher that corrodes the plastic and releases the harmful substances. Conclusion: the combination of high temperatures and dishwasher detergents can corrode the plastic, allowing plasticisers and other chemicals to get into your food and drinks. Not a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the best thing to do with your (old) plastic lunch box and drinking cup?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We were also mulling it over. Is it smart now to buy a pointy cup and drum r\u00fccksichtslos<\/em> throw away or is that a bit excessive? For your health and especially that of your children, you will do anything, right? We have therefore created a decision tree to get you started. Not all drums need to go straight to PMD or residual waste, but think carefully about what you do with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n