What you can learn from the plastic recycling codes

Posted on July 14, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. by Green Mama.

So you’ve gotten rid of your plastic water bottles, what about those plastic yoghurt containers, plastic ziplock bags, and plastic Tupperware containers that are crowding our cupboards, are they safe? Here is a guide to help you more easily determine what is what and which one to choose.


RECYCLING CODE GENERAL SAFETY STATUS

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) 
 PROCEED WITH CAUTION
#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE) CONSIDERED SAFE
#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) 
 SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE) CONSIDERED SAFE
#5 polypropylene (PP) 
 CONSIDERED SAFE
#6 polystyrene (PS) SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
#7 other (usually polycarbonate) MOST HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
PLA (polylactide) A GOOD ALTERNATIVE

PLA plastics are made from renewable resources, e.g., corn, potatoes or sugar cane. The starch is converted into polylactide acid (PLA). These plant-based plastics can’t be recycled but they can be composted either in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap.

#7 plastics are often polycarbonate and thus linked to BPA, #3 plastics are made from vinyl or PVC, and #6 polysterene can leach styrene, which is another possible carcinogen and hormone disrupter.

Recent research has called into question #1 plastics too. These bottles are porous and thus absorb flavors and bacteria. Also, The National Geographic greenguide website, says “In one Italian study, the amount of DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting phthalate and a probable human carcinogen, in bottled spring water was found to increase after 9 months of storage in a PET bottle.”