Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances in the environment (air, soil, and water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system, which is a network of glands and organs that produce, store, and secrete hormones. The endocrine system regulates your body's healthy development and function throughout life.
This pilot program, funded by the Wellbeing Grant, aims to reduce cost barriers to adopting safer alternatives to plastic, which reduce Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals for pregnant people and new families.
Participants will be consulted on their needs, then products will be secured to provide participants with safe food storage and preparation alternatives. A model program for future access will be developed for expansion.
The Program
We are offering free supplies to pregnant people and new families who attend an information session about safer alternatives to plastic for your family’s health.
Who is eligible? This program is open to the following UCSF staff:
- Pregnant, have a pregnant partner, or have an infant
- Preference for ESL speakers, Asian, Latino, and Black communities
Participants will:
- Fill out pre-session and post-session surveys
- Attend an information session
And receive :
- Training video
- FREE sample product gift bag valued at over $50 (sample product shown to the right)
Resources
Beyond Plastic
Break Free from Plastic Pollution
Center for Environmental Health
Plastic Pollution Coalition
Plastic Soup Foundation
Environmental Health News
Tips for Breaking Up With Plastic
Here are some ideas for safer substitutes to using plastic wrap or plastic bags with food items:
- When storing leftovers use dishes and cover with plates rather than cling/plastic wrap.
- For sandwich bags, buy wax bags.
- Use beeswax covers for the top of containers or for wrapping cut vegetables, fruit, or meats
- Request butcher paper for wrapping meat purchased at a meat counter.
- Wash and save glass jars from applesauce, spaghetti sauce, etc. Use them for leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.
- DIY or purchase reusable shopping bags. You can cut up old cotton tee shirts and sew into bags.
- Express breast milk directly into sterilized glass baby bottles and freeze.
- Cook and grind vegetables for baby food and put them into ice trays and freeze them. Defrost as needed.
- Purchase or make baby rattles and teething toys from wood.
- Offer babies liquid in stainless steel cups with silicone lids instead of plastic sippy cups.
- Goodwill stores or other thrift shops are great resources for glass and ceramic storage containers.
Resources on product safety:
This pilot program aims to reduce cost barriers to adopting safer alternatives to plastic, which reduce Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals for pregnant people and new families.
