There are so many reasons to try a plastic-free meat lifestyle. Plastic is everywhere in our lives. Plastic can even be found in the food we eat, including meats! Plastic has been linked with cancer due to its leaching of chemicals into the food it comes into contact with. Plastic also takes up valuable space that could be used for growing plants for humans and animals alike. The average person eats nearly 150 pounds of meat per year, which means there are still plenty of opportunities for change!
Table of Contents
1. Plastic is not good for you.
Meat wrapped in plastic is unhealthy due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic and because it’s difficult to clean and sanitize properly. Not to mention, there have been cases of toxins from plastics leaching into food.
2. Meat wrapped in plastic is unhygienic.
It’s difficult to properly clean and sanitize the plastic wrap that comes into contact with meat because of the creases where bacteria could be hiding. Not to mention, there have been cases of toxins from plastics leaching into food.
3. Plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose.
If you’re trying to reduce your environmental impact, meat wrapped in plastic is not the way to do it. Plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harmful toxins into the environment.
4. Meat wrapped in plastic produces methane gas.
Methane gas is produced when meat decomposes in landfills. This gas is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes significantly to climate change.
5. Plastic is a petroleum-based product.
Meat wrapped in plastic is unhealthy due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic and because it’s difficult to clean and sanitize properly. Not to mention, there have been cases of toxins from plastics leaching into food.
6. Animals that are wrapped in plastic cannot be consumed humanely.
When an animal is wrapped in plastic before slaughter, it causes stress and agitation, resulting in adrenaline release (1). Adrenaline speeds up the metabolism rate, expend energy, and cause the animal to pale. This means that the meat from these animals is not considered suitable for human consumption.
7. Plastic-free meat is healthier for you.
Not only is plastic-free meat more environmentally friendly, but it’s also healthier for you. Meat wrapped in plastic is unhealthy due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic and because it’s difficult to clean and sanitize properly. Not to mention, there have been cases of toxins from plastics leaching into food.
8. Plastic-free meat is healthier for animals.
Animals that are wrapped in plastic cannot be consumed humanely. When an animal is wrapped in plastic before slaughter, it causes stress and agitation, resulting in adrenaline release. Adrenaline speeds up the metabolism rate, expend energy, and cause the animal to pale. This means that the meat from these animals is not considered suitable for human consumption.
9. You can’t always tell if food has been wrapped in plastic.
If you’re trying to avoid plastic, it’s important that you can tell whether food has been wrapped in plastic or not. The only way to be certain is to get meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic.
10. You are what you eat eats too!
Your health is directly related to the quality of the foods you eat. If you’re eating meat that’s been wrapped in plastic, you’re not only consuming harmful chemicals, but you’re also directly supporting an environmentally destructive industry.
11. Plastic-free meat tastes better.
Not only is plastic-free meat more environmentally friendly, but it’s also healthier for you. Meat wrapped in plastic is unhealthy due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic and because it’s difficult to clean and sanitize properly. Not to mention, there have been cases of toxins from plastics leaching into food.
12. It doesn’t make sense for meat-eaters to support an industry that damages the environment.
If you’re eating meat, you already hurt the environment. So why support an industry that damages it even further? Buy meat wrapped in paper instead of plastic to do your part for the environment.
13. You can support an industry that’s good for the planet!
If you buy meat wrapped in recycled paper, you support an industry that’s good for the planet. This type of paper is made from 50% post-consumer recycled content and 50% virgin pulp (2).
14. Plastic in landfills contributes to climate change.
Plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose, and during that time, it releases harmful toxins into the environment. By reducing your reliance on plastic, you can help prevent climate change.
15. You can reduce your carbon footprint by going plastic-free!
It’s estimated that the average American generates more than 4,000 pounds of CO2 each year, and a large chunk of that comes from the meat industry (3). If you switch to a plastic-free meat lifestyle, you can reduce your carbon footprint and do your part for the environment.
16. Plastic-free meat is difficult to find in stores.
Eating meat wrapped in plastic is becoming increasingly popular, which means it’s also becoming easier and easier to find this type of product at your local grocery store. If you’re looking for meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic, you’ll have to do a little bit of searching.
17. Plastic-free meat is more expensive.
When it comes to meat, you generally get what you pay for. Meat that’s been wrapped in plastic is often less expensive than meat that hasn’t. However, you shouldn’t base your purchasing decisions on price alone. It’s better to buy quality than risk ingesting toxic chemicals by purchasing cheap meat that has been wrapped in plastic.
18. There are other options available besides buying expensive organic meat!
If you’re concerned about the safety of meat products but don’t want to eat meat wrapped in plastic, you do have other options. By supporting local farmers and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, you can opt to eat organic meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic.
19. You can potentially prevent reproductive issues by switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle!
A study published in the International Journal of Andrology found that phthalates (chemicals used to soften PVC plastics) are linked to reproductive issues, particularly among male infants (4). Phthalates can disrupt hormones and cause testicular problems in young boys. Not only that, but they also act as endocrine disruptors in adult men. This means that they interfere with the body’s natural hormone system and lead to health problems. By switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle, you can potentially prevent reproductive issues.
20. You could reduce your cancer risk by switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle!
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified processed meats as carcinogenic, meaning that they cause cancer (5). The WHO also stated that red meats are “probably carcinogenic.” This means that you could reduce your risk of cancer by switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle.
21. You’ll save money in the long run!
Eating meat wrapped in plastic is more expensive than meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic. If you switch to a plastic-free meat lifestyle, you’ll save money in the long run.
22. Plastic-free meat is healthier for you!
Not only is meat wrapped in plastic bad for the environment, but it’s also bad for your health. The chemicals used to soften PVC plastics can leach into food and cause health problems.
23. Plastic-free meat is better for the animals!
When animals are raised in factory farms, they’re often kept in cramped, unsanitary conditions. They’re also fed a diet high in hormones and antibiotics, which can lead to health problems down the line. By choosing to eat plastic-free meat, you’re doing a great service to the animals.
24. You can make a difference by switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle!
The more people eat meat wrapped in plastic, the more this practice becomes accepted and widespread. If you want to make a difference individually, you need to go against the grain. You can do your part for the environment by eating meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic.
25. There are several additional benefits to ditching meat wrapped in plastic!
Switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle offers several other benefits, such as preserving nutrients and conserving water. You may also experience improved heart health and decreased risk of diabetes. If you want to make the world a better place, you need to start making more eco-friendly choices like switching to a plastic-free meat lifestyle!
FAQ’s
Q: Why does meat that’s wrapped in plastic cost less?
A: The price difference between organic and non-organic meats is based on what different people are willing to pay. Most people would rather not pay more for organically raised animals, so they buy cheaper, factory-farmed meat instead. As a society, we need to change the way we view meat!
Q: How can I support local farmers?
A: The first thing you need to do if you want to buy organic, plastic-free meat is find out where your nearest organic farm is. You can search for small family farms in your area on LocalHarvest.org or EatWild.com. Once you’ve found a local farm, be sure to ask about their meat-wrapping policies!
Q: Why are some meats wrapped in plastic?
A: Some meats are wrapped in plastic because it helps maintain freshness. Plastic-free meat can spoil more quickly than meat that’s been wrapped in plastic, so it may not be the best option for certain types of meat.
Q: How can I reduce the amount of plastic I use?
A: There are several ways to reduce the amount of plastic you use daily. You can start by bringing your reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, using a water bottle instead of buying bottled water, and packing your lunch in reusable containers. Making these changes is easier than you think!
Q: How does meat wrapped in plastic affect the environment?
A: Meat wrapped in plastic can pollute waterways, poison animals, and reduce soil fertility. If you want to make a difference individually, you need to go against the grain by choosing not to eat meat wrapped in plastic.
Q: Is it worth it to make the switch to a plastic-free meat lifestyle?
A: Yes, it is worth it! Plastic-free meat is healthier for you, better for the animals, and more sustainable for the environment. Making the switch is easy, and several additional benefits are gained. You can make a difference by choosing to eat meat that hasn’t been wrapped in plastic!
Q: How does eating meat wrapped in plastic affect the environment?
A: Ingesting chemicals from chemical softening agents isn’t good for you, and it’s not good for the environment. By choosing to eat meat wrapped in plastic, most people aren’t considering their health or the environment. Meat wrapped in plastic can pollute waterways, poison animals, and reduce soil fertility. If you want to make a difference individually, you need to go against the grain by choosing not to eat meat wrapped in plastic.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! Follow this guide if you want to know 25 reasons why a plastic-free meat lifestyle can make your life better. The list is below and includes some practical tips on getting started with going plastic-free at home. This article may have been too long for you, or it could be that the thought of change doesn’t sound appealing right now. We understand that not everyone will do something just because we tell them they should try it out. That’s okay – there are many other ways in which we can help people live healthier lives without adding more stress into their day-to-day routines by making changes like these about eating less meat and using fewer plastics when cooking dinner tonight!
