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Have you seen the news reports recently? Ever? There is new intensity building over the fear of plastics. It seems the recent surge– we have all had concerns about plastics for a while– is because specific conclusions have been made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the Canadian government.

The CDC says,

92.6 percent of Americans age 6 and above had measurable BPA in their bodies.

Plastic bottles – are they safe? - The Daily Nightly - msnbc.com

The NYP says,

there was a possibility BPA could be causing brain problems in fetuses and children and prostate and breast problems in adults

Plastic bottles – are they safe? - The Daily Nightly - msnbc.com

The Canadian government says,

“We’re not waiting to take action to protect our people and our environment from the long-term effects of bisphenol-a,” in response to a move to ban polycarbonate infant bottles as it officially declared one of their chemical ingredients toxic.

Canada Bans Plastic Bottles Tied to Health Concerns - New York Times

So what now? What is safe? Pulling from a few sources I’ve managed to sort out what is of concern and their chemical of concern:
1 - One time use only, not meant for reuse, like ever. (PETE)
3 - AVOID, DEHA chemical, and you can find me in plastic wrap. (PVC additives, like DEHA)
6 - Do not cook/microwave in me (styrene)
7 - Not so good, I’m in water/baby bottles and jugs. (BPA)

BPA is the chemical of concern above in the quotes.

Despite this information, the FDA has not yet ban the substance, so plastic industry websites are claiming ‘no fault.’ Despite the current all ok by the agency, both CVS and Walmart have banned shatter-proof waters bottles (like Nalgene, that often use (7)) from their shelves.

I think better safe than sorry. One alternative includes corn plastic products:

There is a winner!

Congrats to freakzero, he will be receiving the gift certificate soon. His input on matters has be great for the blog, I hope this encourages his further participation.

Need to give a certificate of your own?

I realize that I have yet to announce the winner for the remaining $10 Amazon.com gift certificate. There is a four-way tie! No, this doesn’t mean I have $40 to dish out. It’s a run off! The four remaining contenders will be left in the poll. This time you will be able to vote once each day. Please VOTE by Monday.

Need to give a certificate of your own?

Looking for a great moment of traveler’s glory? Always forgetting your books at home? Look no further than Amazon’s Kindle, the new electronic book reader.

The contest is over!

Top Commenter (most comments) - $20
kylemazoo
13 comments!

My Pick - $10
User greggcostanzo was a stand out above the rest when it came to enhancing and building conversation on the site. Thanks! He’ll claim the $10 prize. Some honorable mentions that I strongly considered were burtdewilde and firepointe who have a consistent conversational presence on the blog. Also a few people played a integral role in really enhancing a few entries and bringing out the topic. Below are a few examples and a great way too look back at some 2007 entries:

redwolfspirit in response to the entry Too distracted to speak of ourselves to others.
freakzero in response to the entry The sharing of information is dangerous
a-mamma in response to the entry Somethin somethin-poo
johnnya2 in response to the entry Clash of the titans
kylemazoo in response to the entry Twentysomething: Why I regret getting straight A’s in college

Readers’ Pick - $10
Who do you think has made the best contribution to conversation on JustinFenwick.Net? Please vote in the poll to the right by Janurary 8th.

Need to give a certificate of your own?

You may have other issues to figure out this holiday season, but we all have one issue in common, gifts.

Tis’ the season of giving, but it often isn’t as simple as that.

It’s down to the wire. Christmas is right around the corner and you can’t figure out the perfect gift. Do you have to? There is a default option that has been around for a while, gift cards (or gift certificates). But isn’t it the cop-out gift? The gift you give someone if you don’t really know what to get them? Well, yes and no. You have to approach it right.

Frankly, the option is hip now. You can’t grant someone the individuality that our society rewards easily without a gift card. I often find myself more drawn to the design on a gift card than any gift I walk out of a store with. Plus, places like Starbucks are now allowing you to customize the look of the gift card itself. So has the plastic become personal? It always had the option to be but now people are capitalizing on it.

The one rule of giving the gift of store-specific cash is simple, keep it specific stupid. Turn the gift of supporting individualism into something special:

1) Think of where the money can be spent. Choosing which store can show that you understand their lifestyle and goals. A generic spend-it-anywhere-card sounds fun. But unless you actually don’t know the person, take time to show them that you do.

2) Focus the spending of the money towards what you would like them to spend it on. Print out a picture or remind them in a message of what this can go towards. Places like Amazon.com have thousands of choices, so help them towards your intended goal through a message alongside the card you send them. This is great especially if you waited too long to be able to select a particular gift to arrive on time.

3) Specialize the money giving through a nice message or a clever design/packaging. Starbucks wants to snag four bucks for this action but you can dig up your own creative bug. A new wallet with some cheap gift cards in it or a coupon to make a trip of it with them can be some cute ways of turning the impersonal into something thoughtful.

4) Care about what they spend it on. Follow up, take time to appreciate their decision in a item that you helped them get. This also is important for another reason, msnbc reports “10 percent of the value of all of the gift cards given this year will not be used, leaving about $8 billion unspent this year, while about half the adults surveyed about their holiday shopping patterns by Consumer Reports said they received gift cards last year, but 19 percent — about 23.3 million Americans — said they had not yet used them.”

Time is running out, so lace up your boots and strut your stuff at the mall. No time for the catwalk? Amazon.com will deliver gift cards/gift-e-cards by email, on time.

It’s too late for most online purchases and shipped packages to arrive on time. So think of that last person on your list and go get them/send them something special soon.

As a reward for those who contribute their words and thoughts, I’m introducing a competition. Perfect to spend alongside your holiday-received gift certificates.

Starting now, ending December 31st at midnight! (Happy New Year )…

You can win a gift certificate to Amazon.com in three ways:
Top Commentator (most comments) - $20
Decided by the user with the most comments. Yes, it will count those who have commented already. I figure they deserve the head start for already commenting.
Justin’s Pick - $10
Chosen by yours truly, keeping in mind those who have contributed the most to the growth of and conversation on this site.
Readers’ Pick - $10
The votes tabulated from a poll held at the end of the competition will pick this winner.

Feel free to comment on anything, past and present.

Ready, Get Set, Go!