What Happens When You Microwave Plastic?

I think everyone has a “Lindy” alarm inside of their heads. It goes off from time-to-time. This "Lindy alarm" might be an evolutionary adaptation. Early humans were cautious and felt a natural fear. Consider the immediate discomfort and aversion many people feel when they're exposed to heavy industrial solvents, or car exhaust. When you walk into a freshly painted room without proper ventilation or stand too close to a vehicle's exhaust pipe, there's an instinctual urge to move away or seek fresh air.

But sometimes our reaction can be subtle. Take this scenario, for instance:

You glance at the Tupperware on your office desk, the fluorescent lights overhead creating a sterile illumination. Inside, it holds spaghetti and meatballs generously topped with marinara sauce, a dish your girlfriend prepared for dinner the previous night. But the sight of the container amidst your paperwork makes you uneasy. The base of the Tupperware prominently displays the "microwave-safe" symbol, a feature you had always taken for granted. Despite your doubts (“is plastic in the office microwave okay?”), the looming deadline and the convenience of a quick meal persuade you.

You slide the Tupperware into the office microwave, setting it to your standard two-minute reheat. As the microwave's hum drowns out the office chatter, a knot of apprehension forms in your stomach, unrelated to hunger. Each turn of the container inside feels like you're gambling with your well-being. Were you inadvertently exposing your food to harmful chemicals? When the microwave dings, marking the end of its cycle, you retrieve the container with hesitation.

Anxiety is a healthy human response to a perceived threat.

In This Newsletter

People have only used microwaves to heat plastic for a few decades. In contrast, we've stored and heated food in other materials for hundreds or even thousands of years.

The safety of microwaving plastics remains unclear. While there are theories and speculations, no conclusive evidence is available. For instance, consider the confusion reflected in this tweet: the question of microwaving plastics remains unanswered, leaving many uncertain about what to believe or how to proceed.

1) Why Did We Switch to Plastic Anyway? A short history of why Americans switched to plastic en-masse.

2) What Does The Microwave Do to Plastic? What actually happens to plastic inside the microwave?

3) The Microplastics Controversy: We know the Lindy Argument. This is a new approach to cooking food and we should be wary. But what exactly is the pro-microplastic argument? When people say don’t worry about it, what is the evidence they are using? Let’s examine the other side.

4) Convenience vs (Potential) Risks: Avoiding the microwaving of plastic is a simple lifestyle change that almost everyone can adopt instantly without much effort. However, some changes demand substantial time and dedication. What's the ideal balance for the average person?

The Great Plastics Revolution

In the 1950s and 1960s, plastic containers transformed kitchen convenience. They were lightweight, durable, and ideal for the emerging microwave ovens, allowing quick heating and eliminating the need for stovetop cooking. Before Tupperware, households struggled with inefficient storage and fast food spoilage. Tupperware introduced a game-changing airtight seal, ensuring longer food freshness. Beyond its functionality, Tupperware's modern and stackable design reflected post-war America's tastes. Combined with microwaves, they represented peak kitchen efficiency.

While glass may have an elegant feel, it has downsides: it's heavy, difficult to stack without the risk of sticking or grinding, and prone to chipping and breaking. Lifting a full glass container with one hand can be unsafe, and it's too hefty to carry in a backpack without strain. Due to its weight and slippery nature, dropping glass is more likely. A single drop could not only damage the container, leaving sharp shards in your food, but also poses a risk of injury. Containers are meant for transportation, and fragility makes glass less ideal for this purpose. In contrast, plastic containers are lightweight, durable, space-efficient, and resilient. They're dtesigned for longevity and regular movement, outlasting glass that might chip or break.

Convenience and America, when it comes to eating, goes together. This piece by Chris Arnade outlines a little of it. But may be too critical for me. He’s too harsh. But there is some truth here.

Plastic Meets Microwave

Ali Francis authored a comprehensive article on plastics. In it, she devoted a specific section to explain the effects of microwaving plastics.

She even made the bold claim that merely storing food in plastic containers inside the fridge can be harmful to our health. This is a significant statement, especially since many people commonly use plastic for food storage without perceiving any risk. Are we heading toward a future where we replace plastic entirely? Will we be going back to pre-1950s Society. Will we look back at the plastics revolution as a mistake?

Microplastics and You

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