What is BPA free?
In the reusables and sustainability market, the term BPA free pops up here, there and everywhere. At Upcycle Studio, we have a whole bunch of BPA free products and thought it would be helpful to give you guys a little breakdown on what this actually means.
What does BPA stand for?
BPA stands for bisphenol A, which is an industrial chemical that was first used in the 1950s to make certain types of plastics and resins. A large number of food and beverage containers are made from polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that can often contain BPA. Anything that is BPA free means that the product does not contain bisphenol A.
Why is BPA used?
BPA polycarbonate plastics are sometimes used to produce food storage containers because they’re lightweight, sturdy and heat resistant. Epoxy resins which also contain BPA are often found in canned food in order to increase shelf life. BPA tins were widely used during wars and military operations to make sure soldiers had food that would last a long time without spoiling.
Is BPA harmful?
Recently there has been a lot of research into the effects of BPA on our bodies. Amongst many other negative health effects, studies show that exposure to BPA can increase the chances of heart disease in women, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. While there’s ongoing debate on how much you need to ingest before BPA creates any cause for concern, we think it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Opting for more natural approaches to modern living wherever we can.
Benefits of BPA free products
Say goodbye to chemically lined takeaway boxes and water bottles! Start transporting your food and drinks in BPA free containers. In addition to reducing your single-use plastic consumption, here are some other advantages of BPA free products:
- reduce your exposure to unsafe chemicals that can cause illness
- a safer option for baby food and for children during growing years
- resistance to high temperatures makes BPA free containers easy to clean
- improved taste of food and drink
We are proud to say that all of our water bottles and lunchboxes at Upcycle Studio are BPA free. For a safer way to store your food, check out our entire range of reusables at Upcycle Studio.