Many of us have heard about the dangers of BPA and that we should look for labels on plastic food containers that clearly indicate “BPA Free,” but if you’re like me, and flip over every type of plastic container to see what number is on the bottom, then you’ll want to keep this list in your pocket or purse at all times.
Living Like Ed by Ed Begley, Jr., is one of my favorite living green books and he breaks the plastic codes down for us (no pun intended here).
7 Types of Plastic
The 7 Types of Plastics
1 – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – Used to make soda bottles, boil-in-bag food pouches, and microwave food trays (one time use; recyclable)
2 – High density polyethylene (HDPE) – This type is used for laundry bottles, motor oil, milk jugs, and aspirin bottles – thicker kind of plastic than #1 (most recycling centers can recycle #2)
3 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - Mostly used with clear food and nonfood packaging, which includes cooking oil bottles, medical tubing, wire & cable installation, and home construction (avoid this type of plastic especially with food – has been found to be more toxic and detrimental to one’s health)
4 – Low Density polyethylene (LDPE) - This type of plastic is used with dry cleaning bags, bread bags, frozen food bags, Saran Wrap plastic, produce bags found in grocery stores and some squeezable food containers (some recycling centers will take #4 plastic, but many will not; however, there are other ways to recycle or just avoid this type of packaging as much as possible.)
5 – Polypropylene (PP) – You’ll find this with your medicine bottles, yogurt containers, shampoo bottles, straws, margarine tubs and syrup bottles and any other container that needs to resist moisture and heat (try to avoid this type since it is not easily recyclable)
6 – Polystyrene (PS) – Best know as Styrofoam and is used to hold fresh meat, eggs, and also cups for hot and cold drinks, plastic plates, plastic ware and fast food containers (ask your county’s recycling center if they recycle this type of plastic; avoid buying products with this type, or bring your own container to refill on sodas and coffee at convenient stores/gas stations – some will give you a small discount. Also look for products made from corn, which look much like plastic and are bio-degradable.)
7 – Other – This type of resin code indicates its made from something other than the other six types of plastic or it contains more than one type of plastic material. Many recycling centers will not accept resin code 7, look for other resin codes when possible.
Now you know your 7 types of plastics and which ones are recyclable, safe for food and ones to avoid. Contact or visit your county’s recycling center to find which types of plastics are acceptable for recycling, each county is different.
Read more about plastics on my Squidoo page. Remember to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for a greener world today and tomorrow!
UPDATE: I found this handy downloadable guide from Green Living Tips to take shopping and recycling. While you’re there, sign up for their free e-newsletter and they will plant a tree for you! I love this site!
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I’m seeing more and more blogs and articles about the dangers of using plastic in the microwave and for storing food. It’s now spread to tried and true brands like Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Rubbermaid and other brand names. I can’t stress it enough…if it’s plastic, don’t use it in the microwave and avoid the dishwasher too. I just packed away a box of disposable plastic containers because they were pitted, scratched and otherwise unsafe for food storage.
I carry my Red Cross aluminum water bottle everywhere I go, and I don’t leave it in the car either (also bad). These water bottles are much easier to find now and come with an assortment of tops including sports bottle sippers.
If we want to reduce our dependency on oil, we also have to use less plastic packaging and products because plastic is by-product of petroleum and crude oil. Join me and educate your friends and family!
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I appreciate your work, but many recycling centers will not accept resin code 7, look for other resin codes when possible.
I was told ( in 1997) when I had breast cancer at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Illinois not to use clear wrap to cover foods in the microwave as it was made of petroleum.
They were ahead of their times!!!
I also knew that bacteria build up if you reuse plastic water bottles. (I have never bought water as I have a home filtration system)
I have told folks both items and they ignore it. Now I have some bombastic news to tell them thru this article. Thanks so much for the info. I will be sure to post it at the hospital where I work where folks can see I wasn’t talking out of my hat. Keep up the good work.
I am an RN and working as a Health Information Manager. I am trying to go green in all aspects of my life. Info like this makes it easier to do.
I appreciate your experience and how this information will help you in the future. Make sure you turn every bottle and plastic container to ensure it is BPA-free. I have recycled half of my food containers for other uses because of scratches. I’m now scouring the thrift stores for ceramic dishes that are both microwave and oven safe for storing food. It’s time we learned from our grandparents that those types of containers are the best. I don’t use plastic wrap either, go with aluminum foil – it’s the most recyclable and keeps food fresh in the frig too.
Great! Now I know! Sometime in the past the Reader’s Digest had reported this information in not so frank a manner. Of course, I had forgotten it! Thanks for the reminder. I miss the days of collecting Coke product bottles and taking them back to the store (before your time!) We had milk bottles with aluminum caps delivered to the doorstep, the sharpening man came ’round once a month to sharpen scissors and knives, all of our newspapers were given to the Gypsies who washed our windows with vinegar and newspapers…hmmn. What happened? I remember very well not throwing many things away as a child. When did this accelerate? That is a topic of study for some creative mind; my best guess is around 1971/1972…
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