Plastic is Not the Enemy!

Contrary to popular belief, not all plastics are dangerous. Plastics are typically classified by a number from #1 to #7, each number representing a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of the container, usually inside a triangle or recycling symbol. Here's a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

• PET bottles and containers are fine for single use and are recyclable. It's best to avoid reusing #1 plastic bottles; water and soda bottles in particular are hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.

#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)

• This is the safest type of plastic available, it transmits no known chemicals into foods or liquids, and it is the type most-accepted by municipal recycling programs. This is the type of plasic bottle you should look for and use .

#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used frequently in cling wraps for meat. Vinyl chloride, the primary building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that also poses a threat.

#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)

• This type of plastic is generally considered as safe as #2HDPE; however, it is not as widely accepted by municipal recycling programs.

#5 polypropylene (PP)

• Like #4 LDPE, this type of plastic is generally considered as safe as #2HDPE; however, it is not as widely accepted by municipal recycling programs.

#6 polystyrene (PS)

• Extruded polystyrene (PS), commonly known as Styrofoam, is used in take-out containers and cups, and non-extruded PS is used in clear disposable takeout containers, disposable plastic cutlery and cups. Both forms of #6 PS can leach styrene into food. Styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

#7 other (misc.; usually polycarbonate, or PC, but also polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources)

• Polycarbonate (PC) is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol A, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.
• Polylactide (PLA) plastics are made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with high starch content. You cannot recycle these, but most decompose in about twelve days unlike conventional plastic, which can take up to 100 years.

Source: National Geographic Society: Green Guide