Plastic pollution has become one of the most critical environmental issues of our lifetime, contributing to numerous human health concerns. In addition to microplastics, one of the most disturbing types of plastic is black plastic, commonly used in food packaging, electronics, and household items. Even though it might seem like just another type of plastic that, for example, carries to-go food, black plastic has other serious hidden dangers, as it is often made from recycled electronic waste (e-waste) that originates from discarded electronic devices such as computers, televisions, and cables. Even worse, it often contains dangerous flame retardants. All of humanity should be extremely concerned about its widespread use.

As mentioned, black plastic is frequently made from recycled materials and is pigmented with carbon black to achieve its dark color. Most commonly used to color and reinforce automobile tires, carbon black is a material produced by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels like coal tar and petroleum products, including oil and natural gas, resulting in a fine black powder consisting of tiny carbon particles. Essentially, it is a form of soot.

Because of this, unlike clear or white plastics, black plastic cannot be quickly sorted using conventional optical scanning systems in recycling plants, making it difficult to recycle. As a result, black plastic ends up in landfills and incinerators or contaminates the recycling of other plastics. Many black plastic products, especially food containers (like that tray your favorite sushi roll comes in) and utensils (black plastic spatulas and spoons), are manufactured from mixed or recycled plastics containing toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and flame retardants. How in the world can these items be safe, particularly when used in products involving food and drink?