This chart is based on the SPI resin categories and is to indicate resin content for recycling and sorting efforts. PET OR PETE (NYLON) Qualities: Thin, clear. Polypropylene plastic is used in those margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, cereal bags, and much more. They contain toxins which leach throughout its entire life cycle. Thanks for asking! Go check it out. Notes many other resources say 5 is likewise safe. Also, avoid reusing! Remember, number 2, 4 and 5 are safer plastics. It’s an xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor. I’ve already covered the first four plastic numbers in previous articles, but today I’m looking at plastic number 5 (PP) to see what it is and check to see if babies are safe using it. Whereas plastic numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7 must be avoided. To make a long story short: plastic recycling numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safest. While many in the 7 recycling plastic codes do have BPA, some superior to all above mentioned products may not. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave!). Was this article useful to you? PP is considered safe for reuse. Although some of these plastics are considered safe, there is still risk, no matter how small. In that post, I mention that not all #7 plastics are toxic. PVC is used for a lot of plastic food wrapping because it’s soft and flexible. The plastics you want to avoid are numbers 3, 6, and 7. Submitted by Chas Guad on January 22, 2019 - 2:23pm. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) has toxic chemicals, a popular thermoplastic that … Different countries have different types of recycling codes. Every city, county and state has its own rules about what can and cannot be recycled; different systems can handle different plastics, and governments may face higher net recycling costs for some plastics than for others, since they are not all equally in demand in the commercial resale market. It’s a very common plastic and one of the safest to use. Or, what we do make may be less effective. The Internet is full of charts listing the numbers of the various types of plastic and explaining which ones are safe and which ones are not. Submitted by The Editors on February 16, 2017 - 9:33am. Also, avoid reusing PVC products, especially when it comes to food or for children’s use. Could we get permission to do that? Inside the triangle there is sometimes a number, an… A nemonic to help you remember which are considered the safest goes like this. note that fats and some dry materials may pick up some of the chemicals. Check out the chart (and click it for a printable version): Recycling Numbers Reference: This is the thin, clear plastic used for … Visiting a friend recently I noticed her large collection of plastic containers, many decades old. If the triangle has the number '1' inside it, the plastic used to manufacture that bottle is made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). There is some evidence that it is not. It’s also fully recyclable. Safe Plastic #2 – High Density Polyethyline (HDPE) HDPE is used in a wide range of containers and bottles, including detergent bottles, shampoo bottles and milk bottles. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is best known for its use in pipes, but that’s not the only product that relies … The worst offender is 6, polystyerene. See some ideas on recycling and reusing in the home! Numbers 6 and 7 should not be used if you can avoid it. V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is … The health risks of cooking in plastic seem to include all forms of plastic according to literature. BPA can leak chemicals. can they be recycled? Submitted by The Editors on June 17, 2015 - 10:15am. 3) Avoid storing foods in plastic where the plastic will get hot (like in your car on a hot day. Plastics Recycling Numbers The numbers on the bottom of a plastic container, surrounded by a recycling triangle, represent the type of resin used to make that particular plastic. Give it a try today. It also shows some of the common plastic items in a home that are likely to leak chemicals into our food and bodies, so that you know which plastics are safe and which to avoid. Most plastic products are marked with a number that corresponds to the type of plastic that it is made of. In an attempt to provide the most up to date evidence based information, there are several differences than you will find in a general search. No. Most plastic that displays a one or a two number is recyclable (though you need to check with your area’s recycling provider). Yes. Number 1 is also safe, but should not be reused. Which plastics are safe? It is astounding that so many compounds can be made that have similar qualities without actually being the same. They can harbor bacteria and mold. It’s used for disposable styrofoam drinking cups, take-out containers, packing peanuts, and more. As stated above, since it is impossible to eliminate all toxins, even after doing the best we can, boosting our glutathione can help prevent any of the diseases processes that can result from ingestion of toxins. Here's what else I learned about the plastic numbers and each type of plastic: Which plastic numbers are safe? BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! Common usage: Bottles for water, cooking oil, peanut … Often there is a condition called fluid and electrolyte imbalance, less than bodies needs. If you look at the number inside the triangle on your plastic, it will range from one to seven. Submitted by Bryant McEvoy on April 20, 2015 - 9:33pm. Then the news that Bisphenol A (BPA) is dangerous was like the shoe falling on the ceiling above us. When a plastic says that it is microwavable, remember that it just means it won’t melt in your microwave. April 13, 2016. And like GSH, it will help with over 76 different diseases and conditions. Most recycling services accept plastics with codes 1 and 2, but recycling the other plastic types is hard to do because few facilities exist to process them. Here are the seven standard classifications for plastics, and the recycling and reuse information for each type. Water bottles and plastic soda bottles are the most common containers made out of PET. PET is meant for single-use applications; repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. These numbers and labels identify both the type of resin used to make the plastic and the products recyclability. Find out which are safe and which may be hazardous. The 7 is the catch all designation and even newer and safer products will be included here. The presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. Usually there is something more than just being dehydrated. The number 7 designation actually includes pretty much every plastic that isn’t included in 1-6. It is simple, easy, sustainable and affordable (the salt should cost less than $10 a year). Note: This information on safe plastic is not the same as you will find elsewhere on the web. BPA is highly toxic and has been banned from use in most plastic products by both the European Union and Canada. In that post, I mention that not all #7 plastics are toxic. Rigid or ˜exible — bibs, teething rings, mattress covers and sandwich bags. You’ll also find LDPE in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, and other items. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Plastic Numbers 4, 5 and 7 (LDPE, PP and Other) Squeezable bottles holding foods such as mustard and honey use plastic number 4 (low-density polyethylene, or LDPE). However, avoid reusing. Safe for one use only. Description: Basic info on what plastics are freezer safe Published: 4/19/2012 Last Edited: 9/19/2013. If it is not perfect, recycle it. But plastic that displays a three or a five often isn’t recyclable. All rights reserved. Word Of Caution: Some people reuse their plastic bottles. Submitted by Karen V. on June 14, 2015 - 6:21pm. those little numbers inside the triangle made with arrows most often found on the bottom of a plastic product — designate which plastics are more toxic and which are safer. Hi, Sue: This really depends on the exact types of plastics and quality of manufacturing, but there is no reason that most plastic containers can’t be used for decades (and many, many are). 5) Avoid using plastics for foods that have oil or fats. Polypropylene is recyclable though many recyclers still don’t accept it; this should change in time. Why not reuse? There is a simple, easy and inexpensive way to correct this, allowing your body to produce even more GSH. Polystyrene is not generally recyclable and accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. Plastics are widely used to … The health risks of cooking in plastic seem to include all forms of plastic according to literature. It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. The volume of information prohibited including all the research at this time. Plastic comes in many variations, different combinations of resins and polymers creating plastics with different properties, and different types of plastic present different dangers. Thanks, the OFA staff. Avoid polystyrene as best possible. There are a few additional cautions to consider after the plastics graphic chart. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Some plastic chemicals seem to have an affinity for oils and fats. Polycarbonates contain BPA, also referred to as bisphenol-A. One way to tell various plastics apart is looking at the recycling symbol, a triangle of arrows, usually on the base of plastic items. Here’s more information about the different types of plastics. The recycling codes — a.k.a. This is another reason to switch to glass bottles. Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products. I threw out a bunch of plastics then, mostly water bottles, and replaced them with only the ones made of HDPE #2. There is industrial rated and food rated stainless steel. Plastics Guide Plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. In central NC, for instance, #2, 4, and 5 are all routinely recycled, but #1, 3, 6 and 7 are not - completely different rules than the ones in the third paragraph of this article. Then, confirm that the bucket is safe for food storage by looking for a symbol or marking that identifies it as food grade, or read the description on the bucket to find it if it’s food grade. Associated with the different types of resin are potential health risks. The Water Cures Protocol really works. Many products made in other countries may not have the more expensive and safer food grade stainless steel. While plastic containers have been vilified for potential health risks, some are OK to use. This plastics identification chart should make recycling and sorting your plastic a little easier. Many plastic-based products cannot break down and cannot be recycled. Check the symbol and number on the bottom to make sure it’s made out of a plastic that is safe for food. 158 users found this article useful. There's also the question of what to do with the lids and bottle caps. how are tubes recycled? Glutathione has a high affinity for water. Notes many other resources say 5 is likewise safe. The number, known as a "recycling code," can be found within the triangular recycling symbol (see above) that recyclable plastics are marked with. This can result in a leaching of some toxic heavy metals into the food. Number 7 plastics are used for a variety of products like baby bottles and “sippy” cups, baby food jars, 5-gallon water bottles, “sport” water bottles, plastic dinnerware and clear plastic cutlery. Plastics number 4, and 2 are safe for you. See more information below this chart. The easiest way to figure out if a plastic container is safe for the microwave is to look for the Microwave Safe symbol. These codes were never intended to be, and are not, an indicator of product safety. What will be the next shoe to fall? This article contains affiliate links. Each plastic product has a Plastic Identification Code — a triangle surrounding a number between 1 and 7 — usually on the bottom. Even so, these are only for water and water kept cold. PET may leach carcinogens. It’s fine to recycle. Though most plastic bags are not recyclable, some companies and recycling centers have found alternatives or are investigating how to recycle plastic bags given their harmfulness to the environment. Plastics number 4, and 2 are safe for you. Interested in recycling? This can best be done by boosting our intracellular glutathione. What are you waiting for? This plastics identification chart should make recycling and sorting your plastic a little easier. Many websites will say that if a container is marked “7 or other, it should be avoided. Because it breaks apart so easily, it’s also found ingested by marine animals and littering our beaches. 2)Avoid heating and cooking with any plastic. V or PVC. Click here to read my affiliate policy. It also shows some of the common plastic items in a home that are likely to leak chemicals into our food and bodies, so that you know which plastics are safe … Custom programming and server maintenance by, See some ideas on recycling and reusing in the home. And it’s very difficult to clean or remove harmful chemicals. For years the plastic associations have been saying that plastics are safe. After reading about the plastic ratings on plastic bottles, containers, etc. Simply put, if we are dehydrated our bodies may not make as much as they could. Please contact Ginger at gingerv@yankeepub.com regarding this request. Submitted by Sue Meinshausen on February 15, 2017 - 11:52am. This increases the risk of the plastic leaching. Assume that nothing with the #7 number can be recycled or reused. I get that question all the time. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent … All plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Submitted by The Editors on April 21, 2015 - 3:11pm, Hi Bryant, Thanks for writing. One of our most popular posts is the one about the numbers on plastics, where I talk about which plastic is safe to use. For example, toothpaste tubes and tubes that contain facial cleansers... they don't always have a number/triangle on them. Bottom line: ASK someone in your city or county government who handles solid waste removal. The worst offender is 6, polystyerene. Stainless steel comes in second. Since it is impossible to totally eliminate plastic from our life, we can limit our exposure to the worse offenders. R toxic chemicals leaking into the food n is it worse if U microwave the food? But it does not indicate that you can fearlessly use safer plastic. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) Plastics with this number are also picked up by most curbside … Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction. A three indicates that the water bottle has been made from polyvinyl chloride, a five means that it’s been made of polypropylene, two materials that are not accepted by most public recycling centers. should be discarded. What is the rule for usage after certain dates and what codes (if they exist!) Submitted by Barry M. Lamont on January 24, 2019 - 2:45pm. The Safe Plastic Numbers Chart. However, there is another concern here. You should try to empty the containers as much as possible before putting them in a recycle bin. 1) The best choice is to use no plastic if at all possible. Cracking the Code. Please feel free to print and share. BUT… Then I saw this plastic numbers chart — apparently the #2 plastic is not bad for single use, but it shouldn't be reused!!! They classified plastics into seven types and have five separate symbols for post-consumer paths.Recommended: Best Liquid Wax for Car They also have 140 identification codes of plastics.Numbers or codes can be unfamiliar but the target of these recycling numbers or codes is always the same. Plastics are compounds created from fossil fuels, and plastics have some amazing capabilities and properties. LDPE is usually what plastic bags are made from. This will tell you both the type of plastic used and which type is recyclable or even reusable. Thick and opaque — water jugs, shampoo and detergent containers. 4) Don't reuse plastic once it has become dented, creased or crumpled in any way. There is some evidence that it is not. The most important thing we can do is take steps to help our body detoxify from any of the toxins we may ingest. However, most plastics marked with the number 7 are polycarbonates. Information disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. my ? I work for a production company and we would like to use the Numbered Household Plastics Chart you have on your website on our television show. Safe Plastics by the Numbers “7, 6 and 3 is not for baby and me.” © Green Baby Deals. If you do reuse bottles, make sure and clean them before use. Lower risk of leaching, but limit how often you re˜ll. At the end of the day, not every plastic container will have the symbols you’re looking for, and there’s still considerable debate as to whether plastic is food safe in general. One of the features of HDPE, which you will recognize in plastic milk bottles, is that it is slightly cloudy and not totally transparent. HDPE. Share. The safest plastic water bottle would be made of glass. Learn more about boosting the bodies master detoxifier regardless of how safe plastics may or may not be. Plastics are the result of science. If you’re curious about the other numbers, which range from 1 to 7, Tupperware has a handy chart. 1: PET or PETE. Even there, high temperature glass is safer than regular glass bottles. Is: most microwave trays R white or black n R usually Rated a 5 on white n a 7 on black, polyamide and plastic mixtures like styrene-acrylo-nitrile resin (SAN). If the item is not recyclable, it will be discarded at the recycle center. Resin Identification Code (RIC) first appeared in 1988.China has a different polymer identification system. The numbers embedded on most plastic products identify the type of plastic it is made from, ostensibly so it can be properly recycled. A nemonic to help you remember which are considered the safest goes like this. A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Most milk jugs, detergent containers, and oil bottles are made from HDPE. 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