TL: GREENPEACE PVC BRIEFINGS, #1 - 4: THE PROBLEMS OF PVC....AND THE ALTERNATIVES SO: GREENPEACE UK, (GP) DT: JUNE 1996 PVC creates environmental problems throughout its life cycle. PVC releases a cocktail of toxic chemicals that will somehow, at some stage in the process and in some form or another, end up back in the environment. The only way to end this is to phase out its use and switch to alternatives. During the production of PVC, dioxins are created and released. Dioxins are one of the most toxic chemicals known. They have been linked to immune system problems and cancer. Dioxins are also a potent hormone disrupter. PVC contains many additives. Phthalates are added to PVC to make it more flexible. 95% of all phthalates produced are made specifically for use in PVC. Some phthalates have been found to have hormone disrupting effects. When its useful life is over, PVC creates further environmental and health problems. When burned in incinerators and accidental fires, dioxins are created and toxic gasses can be released. Putting PVC into landfill is no answer as, over time, it releases additives which can threaten groundwater supplies. Recycling PVC is difficult, results in more toxic emissions and just recycles the same problems. PVC has a wide variety of uses. There are, however, alternatives to almost every one of these. PVC is used for consumer products such as credit cards, records and toys; it is used for packaging like cling film, bottles and vacuum packs; in construction for window frames, panelling, pipes, gutters and cables; around the home in flooring, wallpaper, blinds, shower curtains; in the office for furniture, binders, folders and pens. It is used in the vehicle industry for car interiors and underseal; in hospitals for medical disposables; for imitation leather; for garden furniture...and many more things. ------------------------------------ This series of factsheets will show you a range of alternatives to PVC packaging Distinguishing PVC from other plastics is not always easy. If PVC is marked, it is distinguishable by a number 3 in small triangle somewhere on the product. Don't knowingly buy PVC. Demand alternatives! HOW TO AVOID PVC PACKAGING CONSUMER POWER The following are just a few examples of goods that you may find in PVC packaging and containers: shampoo, bubble bath, baby oil, shower gel, mouthwash, disinfectant, vegetable oil, sandwiches, mineral water, fruit cordial, window cleaner, bathroom cleaner...and the list goes on. Consumers have an increasing amount of power today. By choosing to buy PVC-free products in your everyday shopping, you can send a strong message to the industries which use PVC for packaging...that it is time to go PVC-free! Begin by applying a few simple rules and you'll be making a difference immediately: 1. Avoid all packaging whenever possible, that way you can be sure that you are avoiding PVC packaging! 2. Choose well-known, durable materials, such as glass and paper, over PVC. 3. Where plastic is really the only option, then choose non-PVC plastics. HOW TO CHOOSE ALTERNATIVES TO PVC There are readily available alternatives for virtually all PVC packaging currently on the market. Many of these alternatives have been around for many years and are tried and tested in terms of both their environmental impact and their durability. Glass bottles and containers are available for many products, including toiletries, food and drinks. They are easy to identify and should be your first choice, as they are the least environmentally harmful to produce, have the longest life (so have the greatest potential to be reused) and can be most easily recycled. Look for recycled paper or card as an alternative to PVC wrapping. Where plastics are the only viable option, choose those which are not made from PVC, such as high and low density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polypropylene (PP) or plyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although not perfect, all of these plastics have fewer environmental problems than PVC and should be chosen in preference to PVC if glass, paper or card are not available. HOW TO SPOT PVC-FREE PLASTICS Symbols to look out for: a triangle containing the numbers 1,2,4 or 5. (1= PET, 2 = HDPE, 4 = LDPE, 5=PP) The symbol to avoid: a triangle containing the number 3. This signifies PVC. Making a conscious decision to avoid PVC will make a real difference. It's a simple switch - Go PVC-free! GREENPEACE PVC BRIEFING #2: GETTING A HEAD START HAIR CARE PRODUCTS ALTERNATIVES TO PVC PACKAGING PVC is not necessary for packaging. You will find almost identical products in both PVC and non-PVC. Look out for the alternatives to PVC plastic, as they are often more obvious or clearly marked than PVC. Choose glass over plastic, if it is available. If you have no choice but to buy plastic, then choose non-PVC plastics like HDPE or PET. If you see that your favourite brand of shampoo or conditioner is in PVC, then write to the manufacturer and demand that they change to a PVC-free alternative. One place selling cosmetics where you can be 100% sure that nothing on the shelves is PVC is The Body Shop, as they have a strict policy not to use it. They will also refill containers, helping to cut down on waste. Don't, however, be fooled into thinking that some of the similar "natural" type cosmetic ranges at other chemists and supermarkets will be PVC-free. Our research showed that many of them are in PVC containers. The following are examples of shampoos and conditioners that can be found in PVC. Compare the list of similar products in non- PVC, and you'll see that PVC is not necessary. You can choose PVC-free alternatives. It's a simple switch - go PVC free! ------------------------------------ Shampoos and conditioners which we found packaged in PVC plastic Boots salon system leave-in conditioner specialist non-build up conditioner specialist sun & swim conditioner active botanics hair gel Salon system hair serum salon system hot oil salon system shine booster active botanics shampoo specialist build up remover shampoo specialist sun & swim shampoo Co-op medicated shampoo Daniel Field conditioner shampoo Garnier Neutralia shampoo Revlon ZP11 shampoo Sainsburys henna conditioner natures compliments conditioner Henna shampoo active cleansing & moisturising shampoo banana shampoo coconut shampoo herbal medicated shampoo natures compliments shampoo original medicated shampoo sport cleansing & moisturising shampoo swim cleansing & moisturising shampoo henna conditioner naturals conditioner henna shampoo naturals shampoo natural conditioning shampoo 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner Natures Choice whispering dawn conditioner camomile conditioner coconut milk conditioner creme brulee conditioner guava & passion fruit conditioner henna & ginseng conditioner royal jelly conditioner sea minerals conditioner Natures Choice twilight shampoo camomile shampoo coconut milk shampoo guava & passion fruit shampoo henna & ginseng shampoo medicated shampoo royal jelly shampoo sea minerals shampoo Shampoos and conditioners which we found packaged in alternatives to PVC plastic Alberto Balsam shampoo VO5 shampoo Andrew Collinge shampoo Asda frequent use shampoo wash and go Aussie Shampoo Body Shop All hair care products Boots Duo Exotic shampoo Vitamin Essential shampoo active botanics shampoo anti-dandruff shampoo dry scalp shampoo mild & gentle frequent wash shampoo non-build up shampoo salon range sun & swim touch of silk shampoo ultra swim medicated shampoo Citre Shampoo Nicky Clark shampoo Helene Curtis shampoo Finesse shampoo Daniel Galvin shampoo Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo Johnsons 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner Kids no more tangles shampoo ph 5.5 shampoo Mane 'n' Tail shampoo Organics shampoo & conditioner in one conditioner shampoo Pantene Pro-V conditioner Pro-V shampoo Pears shampoo Program shampoo Revlon Flex shampoo Sainsburys apple blossom & mint shampoo b5 active shampoo economy shampoo frequent use shampoo headway shampoo honey & almond shampoo jojoba shampoo peach & mallow shampoo wheatgerm shampoo Earth Elements shampoo baby shampoo plant extracts shampoo sea minerals shampoo St Ives Swiss shampoo Salon Selectives shampoo System ph balance shampoo Schwarzkopf shampoo gliss shampoo Simple shampoo Somerfield medicated shampoo Tesco frequent wash shampoo salon care shampoo Timotei shampoo clear shampoo Vidal Sassoon wash & go extra body conditioner shampoo Vosene shampoo junior shampoo Wella Balsam shampoo Charles Worthington shampoo GREENPEACE PVC BRIEFING #3: CLEAN, GREEN BABIES SO: GREENPEACE UK (GP) DT: JUNE 1996 BABY CARE PRODUCTS - ALTERNATIVES TO PVC PACKAGING There is a wide range of toiletries produced specifically for use for babies and young children. Many of these products are packaged in PVC, but many identical products are not. Choose PVC-free packaging. There is a body of evidence to suggest that hormone disrupting chemicals are now widely distributed in the environment and that we take them in in the food we eat. The nervous and reproductive systems of developing or newly born babies may be particularly vulnerable to these chemicals. By choosing alternatives to PVC, you can help eliminate a major source of two types of hormone disrupting chemicals: dioxins and phthalates. If you see that your favourite brand is in PVC, then write to the manufacturer and demand that they change to a PVC-free alternative. The following are examples of a range of babycare products that can be found in PVC and other similar products in non-PVC. It's a simple switch - Go PVC-free! ------------------------------------ Baby products which we found packaged in PVC plastic Boots pure & natural baby bath pure & natural gentle baby shampoo pure & natural soap free baby wash pure & natural softening baby lotion pure & natural soothing baby oil Co-op baby wipes Johnsons baby oil baby shampoo no more tears baby shampoo Unichem baby cream baby foam bath baby oil baby shampoo Baby products which we found packaged in alternatives to PVC plastic Boots baby bath baby lotion baby powder 2 pack teether dolphin cooling teether Baby Savlon bath Savlon lotion Savlon surface spray baby lotion wipes baby shampoo baby wipes hypo-allergenic dual action baby body moist hypo-allergenic ph balanced fragrance-free baby lotion hypo-allergenic soothing baby aftersun lotion hypo-allergenic spf25baby sun protection lotion hypo-allergenic baby body moisturising lotion hypo-allergenic extra absorbent baby powder hypo-allergenic no tears 2 in 1 baby shampoo & conditioner hypo-allergenic no tears baby conditioner hypo-allergenic no tears baby shampoo hypo-allergenic ph balanced baby bath hypo-allergenic ph balanced baby lotion newborn hypo-allergenic no tears bath & shampoo newborn hypo-allergenic baby lotion pure & natural absorbent baby powder extra thick baby wipes extra thick fragrance-free baby wipes hypo-allergenic medicated nappy cream white petroleum jelly zinc & castor oil cream Co-op baby powder baby shampoo baby bath baby lotion baby oil Jeyes baby wet ones Johnsons baby skincare cloth wipes baby top and tail thick wipes baby bath baby lotion baby moisturising lotion baby powder no more tears baby bath no more tears baby bath with baby oil Kind & Gentle baby wipes Milton sterilising fluid Pampers baby wipes baby wipes - refill pack baby wipes - travel pack Sainsburys baby care shampoo Sudocrem cream Superdrug extra thick cloth baby wipes nappy cream white petroleum jelly baby bath baby lotion baby oil baby shampoo baby talc fragrance free baby lotion Tescos baby sponge baby bath baby wipes Tommee Tippee catch all bib Tippee travel beaker (6months) GREENPEACE PVC BRIEFING #4: SUNCARE - THE GREEN FACTOR SUN CARE PRODUCTS - ALTERNATIVES TO PVC PACKAGING It's important to protect your skin when you are out in the sun. By avoiding PVC packaging, you can also help protect the environment. PVC plastic can release harmful chemicals during its production and disposal. By avoiding PVC you are helping to eliminate a source of toxic and hormone disrupting chemicals. Make sure that your suntan lotion isn't packaged in PVC plastic. The symbol to avoid is a small triangle with a number "3" in it. This tells that the package is PVC. There are many products that come in alternatives to PVC plastic, so choose these instead. If you see that your favourite brand of suntan lotion is packaged in PVC, write to the manufacturer asking them to change to a PVC-free alternative. The following are examples of a range of suntan lotions and oils that can be found in PVC plastic and other similar products in non-PVC. Avoid PVC. It's a simple switch - go PVC free! ------------------------------------ Suncare products which we found packaged in PVC plastic Ambre Solaire intensive bronze oil Banana Boat aloe vera gel dark tan oil golden tan blend Boots Soltan easitan instant Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning oil protective tanning oil royal tanning blend Sainsburys Suncare after sun Suncare lotion Suncare rapid tan Tescos Sun Essentials after sun Sun Essentials after sun with insect repellent Sun Essentials sun lotion Suncare products which we found packaged in alternatives to PVC plastic Ambre Solaire after sun high protection milk sun block milk tanning milk Banana Boat after sun spray aloe after sun lotion dark tan lotion Body Shop aloe gel cocoa butter after sun lotion watermelon after sun lotion watermelon after sun spray watermelon self tanning lotion watermelon sun block watermelon sun lotion watermelon sun spray Boots Soltan after sun Soltan sun lotion Soltan sun oil Coty Sunshimmer light tan Delial sun tanning lotion Hawaiian Tropic carrot sun gel cool aloe gel protective tanning lotion Johnsons after sun baby sun protection lotion facial sun protection lotion soothing gel sun protection lotion Malibu protective tanning lotion Mr Men after sun sun cream Nivea after sun moisturising sun lotion Sun childrens sun lotion Piz Buin antimoskito sun lotion classic brown tanning lotion oil free sun lotion shower sun lotion sport sun lotion sun lotion apres sun Sainsburys Suncare cream sun block Suncare oil Sun E45 after sun sun lotion Superdrug Solait high protection sun lotion Solait low protection sun lotion Solait oil Solait sensitive after sun lotion Solait sensitive fragrance-free after sun Solait sensitive fragrance-free sun lotion Solait sensitive sun lotion Uvistat after sun sun lotion No-Ad babies maximum sun protection lotion sun protection lotion sun tanning lotion ultra sun protection lotion (We have taken every care to ensure that, at the time of going to press, the information contained in these briefing was accurate. Changes may, however, have taken place since this date.) As far as we know, the PVC packaging of the products mentioned in this information sheet is rigid PVC which does not have phthalates added as a softener. Many other PVC products, however, do contain phthalates and it is their production, use and disposal which releases phthalates into the environment. The production of both rigid and soft PVC creates dioxins, as does its incineration.