This is in response to my "sister" in California who posted the below in response to the Physical Clutter = Mental Clutter Blog:

What about plastics? There has been all this research recently that has come out regarding plastics. Most kitchens are stocked full of plastics especially those who have kids. Do we know which ones are good and bad? That is certainly a way to reduce clutter, throw out the stuff that's chocked full of estrogen....

Yes! A cabinet full of plastic and old Tupperware is clutter. I also agree that an even better reason to purge are the health risks associated with the use of plastics. Years ago I recycled all my Tupperware containers and switched to glass but sippy cups, water bottles, and Blues Clues plates still lingered. With the recent press and current research everything made a trip to the local recycling plant. I replaced water bottles with stainless steel and SIGGS. Available at www.samandbellie.com and www.reusablebags.com. For those with little ones, there is a brand called Born Free that is made of a plastic that does not leach. Leach? Research shows that polycarbonate plastic (clear and hard) leaches Bisphenol A (BPA) which is known to interfere with hormone balance & growth patterns affecting prostate and breast health. Disposable (soft) water bottles may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, and should be disposed after one use. Or better yet decrease your environmental impact and use a stainless bottle that lasts forever! Fact: Americans use 2.5 million water bottles per hour and little are recycled! So what do you do with little ones that you don't want using your best china? Remember your mom's Corelle dishes? Not only are they inexpensive, they are made of glass yet are shatter resistant, they last, and come in sectional plates for kids who don't like the peas to touch the apples.

Back to the Basics!