The good, bad and the ugly of plastic
The safety of plastic seems to have become a topic of concern for everyone. It feels as though every week, another report, commentary or scientific analysis emerges, warning against another way that plastic is impacting our health. The implications are serious, too, not just light warnings about possible outcomes, and come from trusted sources, like this one from The Atlantic, entitled, “How bad are plastics, really? to which the reporter answers, ”They’re harmful to health, environment, and human rights—and now poised to dominate this century as an unchecked cause of climate change.”
Orange plastic pill bottles
Many friends and colleagues bring up this topic. They wonder which factors to consider, in choosing how to limit our exposure to longer term consequences from aging plastic? Colleagues tell us that in their own offices, they have begun to choose which plastic items are most important to them by what kind of role they play in their daily lives. They ask themselves, how will this plastic item get recycled and how often will I use it. For example, it is easier for most of us to consider using a safe, refillable water bottle versus buying a case of water. So this change in plastic use has become one that a lot of people have already or are already making in their daily lives.
To help sort through these kinds of discussions, we put together a breakdown of potential risks associated with certain types of plastics to help discern where to start in limiting plastic use. To keep our breakdown relevant to our company’s vision and mission, we decided to focus on pill bottles, what they contain, how safe they are, functionality, and how well they can be recycled or not.
Here’s a closer look at these key considerations:
1. Material Composition: Plastic pill bottles are typically made from polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These plastics are chosen for their durability, moisture resistance, and ability to protect medications from light and air. Both PP and HDPE are generally considered safe for storing medications under normal conditions and do a good job of keeping most medications pretty safe. In recent years, however, as temperatures continue to rise, the phrase, “normal conditions,” deserves a second look, as we will discuss more in point #4, “Proper Usage.”.
2. Chemical Leaching: One concern with plastics, including those used in pill bottles, is the potential for chemicals to leach into the contents, especially medications, within the bottle itself. This can be influenced by factors such as the type of plastic, temperature, and the makeup of the content of the medication itself. However, extensive testing and regulatory standards ensure that pharmaceutical-grade plastics meet strict safety requirements to minimize leaching risks.
3. BPA and Phthalates: Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are chemicals commonly associated with plastics, known for their potential health risks. However, many pharmaceutical companies have moved away from using these chemicals in pill bottle production. Most modern pill bottles are BPA-free and phthalate-free, offering consumers peace of mind about potential exposure.
4. Proper Usage: To ensure the safety of plastic pill bottles, it’s important to use them as intended. Always consult healthcare providers or pharmacists for specific concerns regarding medication storage and safety. Some common best practices include storing medications in their original containers and avoiding repurposing them, keeping them away from direct sunlight and moisture, and storing them at recommended temperatures.
The idea of recommended temperatures is one deserving of a greater focus. According to Pharmacy Times, “Many medications have recommended storage at room temperature, defined as between 68° and 77°F. These same medications also allow for temporary ‘excursion’ periods ranging as low as 59°F and as high as 86°F. Temperatures above and beyond this range can have a significant effect on each medication. For example, diazepam loses 25% of its potency when stored over 98°F. Lorazepam loses 75% of its potency at that temperature.“
Recommended temperatures, apparently, is a phrase that is not well understood per medication, but rather, in general use. Because of this, temperature stability can become a real mystery when thinking about the amber, plastic pill bottle. To help offer more transparency into the role a plastic pill bottle may play in extreme temperatures, like those many of the country has been experiencing in recent weeks, we conducted a test to compare the temperature volatility in a plastic bottle versus a paper bottle. This blog post published earlier this year, illustrates our findings. We were surprised to learn that our newest design, Tully Tube, kept the Internal Temperature up to 20 Degrees F Cooler Compared to Plastic Pill Vials in Extreme Heat.
5. Environmental Impact: While plastic pill bottles serve a crucial role in medication safety, their environmental impact continues to present a growing concern. Recycling these bottles responsibly helps mitigate waste and supports sustainability efforts. Many communities offer recycling programs specifically for prescription bottles, encouraging consumers to participate in eco-friendly practices. These programs may be run independently from the curbside recycling programs, however. Curbside recycling programs typically omit the kind of plastic used for prescription bottles or exclude the tiny size of the bottles themselves.
Conclusion
In summary, plastic pill bottles are generally considered safe for storing medications when used appropriately. Advances in material science and regulatory oversight have improved the safety and reliability of these containers. By understanding proper usage and participating in recycling programs, especially local, curated programs that ensure smaller and special kinds of containers get recycled and not thrown away, consumers can contribute to both their own health and environmental sustainability.
We’re not here to hate on plastic,” said co-founder Dr. Melinda Lee, our CEO. It’s true. The number of benefits that plastic material offers our world cannot be underestimated. The problem we all recognize, however, is the need to keep the negative impact of plastic material in landfills, in check.
Our preferred course of action? Let’s keep plastic out of the landfill in the first place, and instead, fill our medication cabinets with safe parcels, not plastics.
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