The reuse of empty packages of paints and varnishes to store water or food carries a risk of diseases due to the absorption of toxic agents. The alert is from the Associação Brasileira de Embalagens de Aço, which, among other missions, carries out work to make consumers aware of the conscious use and recycling of packaging. “Faced with the water crisis that will intensify in the second half, we consider it necessary to issue this alert to the population”, says Thais Fagury, food engineer and president of Abeaço.
A study carried out by the Center for Packaging Technology of the State of São Paulo (CETEA), at the request of Abeaço, tested the migration of toxic agents to food and beverages packaged in two types of packaging: plastic buckets and steel cans. In both cases, the packages had been used to contain water-based paints, without petroleum-derived solvents. The study detected the migration of elements, mostly in plastic buckets, such as phthalates, in addition to tercbutane, cyclohexane, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, and some of these substances are related to serious diseases.
The president of Abeaço explains, however, that paint packaging cannot be reused. This is because there is migration and the unforeseen use for packaging food and beverages, including water, is prohibited by ANVISA. “We believe that reused packaging that has contained paints with petroleum-based solvents, such as oil paints, may pose even more risk to health”, explains the food engineer.
In plastic buckets, the situation is more delicate, since the buckets for marketing food are very similar to those used for paint and the labeling can be easily removed, which prevents consumers from knowing what type of material the packaging previously contained.
The CETEA study recommends that manufacturers of products packaged in packaging suitable for chemical products warn end consumers about not reusing them, especially for food and beverages. “As an entity that represents the steel packaging segment, even though we are aware of the impossibility of reusing paint and varnish cans, we consider it necessary to alert the population to this, especially at a time when many families will need to store water at home”, explains.
The executive emphasizes that, many times, the consumer confuses recycling with reuse. “Recycling is disposing of packaging correctly, so that it is revalued”, says Thais.
The steel packaging segment already has a reverse logistics program approved by the Ministry of the Environment, which involves the installation of Voluntary Delivery Points (PEVs) for empty paint and food cans, cooperatives, collectors, warehouses and steelworks, which transform the steel cans again. “The steel cans are 100% and infinitely recyclable”, he concludes.
Source: InvesteNE Portal – 11/13/2021
