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Question:

Does plastic have to burn to release fumes?

I really wanna know is how safe are plastic bags, plastic cups/plates, spoons/forks, etc for our environment and ourselves? Are they non-toxic?Anyone know?

Answer:

Polymers from some plastics can supposedly leach. This happens e.g. if you microwave something without removing the saran wrap. In general the environmental hazard with plastics and polystyrene is not that they're toxic, but that they will last for thousands of years. It's unfortunately more economical to make them disposable than to recycle. If oil hit $200 a barrel or there were higher pollution fines /landfill fees this would change.

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