Recycled Plastic: The 'Eco-Friendly' Choice That's Harming Your Health.

You've been told that choosing recycled plastic is better for the environment—but is it safe for your health? 🚨 Studies show that recycled plastics can contain even more toxic chemicals than virgin plastic, including BPA, phthalates, and hormone disruptors that compromise your endocrine system, fertility, reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, and overall well-being.

In this episode, we uncover: ✅ The shocking truth about toxins in recycled plastics ✅ How "eco-friendly" plastic may be worse for your health ✅ Where these hidden toxins show up in your everyday life ✅ Smart swaps for safer, truly sustainable materials

If you're passionate about detoxing your home and body and making informed choices about the products you use, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧

👉 Hit play now and share with a friend who needs to hear this!

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Read podcast script: Recycled Plastic: The "Eco-Friendly" Choice That's Harming Your Health

🔎 Resources Mentioned:

Select links to scientific studies on toxins in recycled plastic:

• "Safety of recycled plastics and textiles: Review on the detection, identification and safety assessment of contaminants" (Chemosphere, 2023)
• "Forever Toxic: The science on health threats from plastic recycling" (Greenpeace, 2023)

• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures for a deep dive into toxicity from your household items and daily routines.

• 40-Day Home Detox to eliminate six basic Household Repeat Offenders, including plastics.

💡 Take the Next Step: 🚫 Ready to ditch hidden toxins?

📩 Let's Connect!

• Instagram: @ruanliving

• Website & Blog: ruanliving.com

• Join My Newsletter: Get exclusive tips for detoxing your home & body: Ruan Living newsletter — look out for it from [email protected].

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Feeling overwhelmed by toxins in your home? You're not alone. But what if avoiding toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and EMFs was easier than you think?

In this episode, I introduce Household Repeat Offenders™, a powerful concept from my critically acclaimed book, A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures. These are the everyday items in your home that expose you to toxins over and over again—and by focusing on just a few key offenders, you can simplify nontoxic living without stress.

Tune in to learn: ✔ The six biggest Household Repeat Offenders lurking in your home, which are also targeted in Ruan Living's 40-Day Home Detox program ✔ Simple, high-impact swaps to detox your space effortlessly ✔ How my 40-Day Home Detox program guides you step-by-step

If you want to reduce your toxic load without feeling overwhelmed, this episode is for you. Hit play now! 🎧

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RELATED BLOG ARTICLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Household Repeat Offenders: The Simplest Way to Reduce Toxic Chemicals, Heavy Metals, EMFs & Stress
• Love Test Detox Methord

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide To Reducing Our Toxic Exposures
• 40-Day Home Detox
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

Plastic straws may seem harmless, but some can leach toxic chemicals like BPA and phthalates into your drinks—potentially disrupting hormones, reproductive health outcomes including fertility, and overall health and development.

In this episode of Practical Nontoxic Living, we uncover the hidden dangers of plastic straws, explore their environmental impact, and reveal the safest nontoxic alternatives, including glass, stainless steel, silicone, and plant-based options.

In the United States, it's estimated that we use up to 500 million plastic straws daily, contributing to about 4.8 billion straws being dumped into our oceans. Learn how to make simple swaps for a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle.

🎧 Tune in now to detox your daily routine—protecting your brain, body, and our ecosystems!

RELATED BLOG ARTICLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Plastic Straws Are Toxic: Best Nontoxic Alternatives for Your Health

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide To Reducing Our Toxic Exposures
• 40-Day Home Detox
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

Select Sources

• Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood, 2022.
• Effects of pH and Temperature on the Leaching of Di(2- Ethylhexyl) Phthalate and Di-n-butyl Phthalate from Microplastics in Simulated Marine Environment, 2022
• Single-Use Plastic Straws: Environmental Impact and Alternatives, 2019
• The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, 2023.
• What Foods Should Not Be Stored in Plastic Containers?, 2024

Want cleaner, healthier smoothies? Your blender could be adding microplastics and toxic chemicals—like BPA, phthalates, and PFAS—straight into your drink or soup. In this episode, we reveal how hidden toxins leach into your smoothies and what they do to your health. Plus, learn how to upgrade your blender to avoid contamination and blend with confidence. Tune in for simple, expert-backed tips to detox your kitchen and make every sip safer!

RELATED BLOG ARTICLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Upgrade Your Blender: Avoid Microplastics & Toxic Chemicals in Smoothies. View the blog to see the recommended practical nontoxic blenders.

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide To Reducing Our Toxic Exposures
• 40-Day Home Detox
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

Are your kids' lunchboxes exposing them to hidden toxins? In this episode of Practical Nontoxic Living, we break down the safest, most durable, and eco-friendly food containers for children. From stainless steel bento boxes to silicone snack bags, we explore the best plastic-free alternatives to reduce exposure to BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. Plus, we share tips on how to choose food storage that's leak-proof, easy to clean, and kid-friendly. Tune in to protect your little ones and create a healthier, toxin-free home!

[0:00] Intro

[2:43] Risks From Plastic Food Containers

[4:25] 6 Things To Look For In Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids

[6:17] The Best Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids. Five materials are discussed.

[12:15] 3 Additional Tips To Detox Children's Lunches

[13:45] Final Thoughts

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• The Best Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids: Safe & Eco-Friendly Picks

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

Is your phone damaging your brain? Research suggests that cell phone radiation can weaken the blood-brain barrier, allowing microplastics and other toxic compounds in your body to reach your brain more easily. In this episode of Practical Nontoxic Living, learn expert insights from one of the world's leading scientists, Devra Davis, founder of the Environmental Health Trust, on how EMFs can threaten your brain health. Listen for three simple ways to protect your brain from cell phone radiation—without giving up your devices!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• EMF Detox program at the D-Tox Academy
• EMF Detox Workbook: Checklists To Recover From Electromagnetic Exposure
• 50% More Microplastics in Human Brains—Protect Your Brain Health Now
  • Click above for the podcast and blog to learn more detailed tips on foods to support your body's natural detoxification and the #1 food category to avoid, according to the study's co-lead author

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

🧠 New research reveals 50% more microplastics in human brains—what does this mean for your health? Scientists have even found higher levels in dementia patients, raising serious concerns about long-term cognitive health.

In this episode of Practical Nontoxic Living, we explore:

✅ How microplastics enter the brain—and why it's alarming ✅ Whether there's a connection between microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases ✅ Science-backed strategies to reduce your microplastic exposure ✅ Effective ways to support your body in eliminating plastics ✅ Practical tips to avoid microplastics

Protect your brain and take control of your health with practical, research-based solutions. Listen now!

🔗 Follow Practical Nontoxic Living for expert insights on reducing toxic exposures and optimizing well-being.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Blog Articles

• 50% More Microplastics in Human Brains—Protect Your Brain Health Now
  • Learn more detailed tips on foods to support your body's natural detoxification and the #1 food category to avoid, according to the study's co-lead author
• Microplastics in plastic bottled water versus tap water

Practical Nontoxic Living podcast episodes

• Home Detox Part 3: Drinking Water and Sleep Quality
• E33. Infrared saunas: Optimize benefits. An interview with the founder of Sunlighten

RUAN LIVING

• Ruan Living Newsletter—REGISTER!
• The Ultimate Home Detox & Other Ruan Living Offerings
• About Sophia Ruan Gushee

What if something as simple as salt could help you cultivate mindfulness? In this episode of Practical Nontoxic Living, we explore how salt—something we use every day—can become a powerful tool to help us be more present, mindful, and inspired to avoid plastic products.

Join us as we discuss: ✅ How ordinary moments, like noticing salt at the table, can become mindfulness cues 🧘‍♀️ ✅ How choosing clean, non-toxic salt supports both physical and emotional health ✅ Simple ways salt can transform meals or cooking into a mindfulness practice

👉Register for the Ruan Living newsletter

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Why You Should Avoid Microplastics & Nanoplastics in Salt: The Hidden Danger and How to Protect Yourself
• Are There Heavy Metals in Your Salt? Safest Options for Clean Eating
• 40-Day Home Detox

RUAN LIVING

Click to learn more about:

• The Ultimate Home Detox: Elevate Your Health & Well-Being
• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures
• Sophia Ruan Gushée
• Register for the Ruan Living newsletter

Not all salt is created equal. After 120 hours of deep research, I found the cleanest salt with the lowest levels of heavy metals and microplastics based on laboratory testing—and in this episode, I'm sharing my #1 recommendation with you.

You'll also learn: ✅ What a rational level of concern is over the contaminants in salt ✅ Health risks from heavy metals in salt, especially for kids ✅ Simple, effective ways to protect yourself from heavy metal exposure

If you're committed to a nontoxic home and a healthier body, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in now!

👉 Follow @ruanliving on Instagram for more practical detox tips.

RUAN LIVING

Click to learn more about:

• The Ultimate Home Detox: Elevate Your Health & Well-Being
• A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures
• Sophia Ruan Gushée
• Register for the Ruan Living newsletter

Is your salt contaminated with plastic? Microplastics have infiltrated our oceans, food supply, and even the salt we sprinkle on our meals. In this episode of the Practical Nontoxic Living Podcast, Sophia dives into the shocking truth about microplastics in salt—where they come from, how they affect your health, and the best ways to avoid them.

🔹 How microplastics end up in salt 🔹 Potential health risks of consuming microplastics 🔹 Which types of salt are most and least contaminated 🔹 How to choose a safer, microplastic-free salt

If you're serious about detoxing your home and diet, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn how to keep plastic off your plate and protect your well-being.

👉 Subscribe for more practical tips on nontoxic living! Click here: Ruan Living Newsletter.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• Why You Should Avoid Microplastics & Nanoplastics in Salt: The Hidden Danger and How to Protect Yourself
• Microplastics in plastic bottled water versus tap water

ABOUT SOPHIA RUAN GUSHEE

Sophia is a leading home detox and nontoxic lifestyle expert who has appeared on leading health and wellness platforms including The Doctor Oz Show. She has served as a member of the Well+Good Council and the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council. Her books include A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide To Reducing Our Toxic Exposures and EMF Detox Workbook: Checklists To Recover From Electromagnetic Exposure. She also created The Ultimate Home Detox program: Elevate Your Health & Well-Being. Learn more about Sophia here: Sophia Ruan Gushée

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