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                                                   All plastics are NOT created equal!

 

Plastics:  What Do Those Numbers Mean?
   *Learn by the numbers

 

                                     Often found on the bottom of plastic bottles, other containers, and even shopping bags,

                             are the numbers and letters shown with the chasing-arrows "recycling" symbol mean the following.

                                                                                                                                    

                          NO NUMBER = NO USE

                          #1 PETE or PET - OPTIMAL CHOICE

                                                          (polyethylene terephthalate): used for most beverage bottles or fatty food types of containers.

                            #2 HDPE- OPTIMAL CHOICE

                                                           (high density polyethylene): used for "cloudy" milk and water jugs, opaque food bottles.

                          #3 PVC or V ----- AVOID!!

                                                             (polyvinyl chloride): used in some cling wraps (especially commercial brands), some "soft" bottles.

                           #4 LDPE- Good Choice

                                                           (low density polyethylene): used in food storage bags and some "soft" bottles.

                                #5 PP- Good Choice

                                                           (polypropylene): used in rigid containers, including some baby bottles, and some cups and bowls.

                           #6 PS ----- AVOID!!

                                                               (polystyrene): used in foam "clam-shell"-type containers, meat and bakery trays, and in its rigid form, clear take-out containers,

                                                           some plastic cutlery and cups. 

                                                    Polystyrene may leach styrene into food it comes into contact with.

                                              Styrene is also considered a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

                        #7 Other ----- AVOID!!

                                                                       (usually polycarbonate-PC): used in 5-gallon water bottles, some baby bottles, some metal can linings, and many trendy sports

                                                          water bottles.

                                                         Polycarbonate can release its primary building block, bisphenol A, another suspected hormone disrupter, into liquids and foods.

                                 *If #7 Plastic is polylactide (PLA) — it’s made from plant-based starches and is fully compostable. This type can be recylced and is NOT the same as PC #7

 
  GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW: 

 

   1.  DO NOT USE  #7PC, #6, or #3 types of plastics for any type of food/beverage use. 

   2.   Avoid overuse of canned foods (metal is often lined)- Instead eat fresh or frozen. 

   3.  BABY INFO:  Buy Baby Food in glass jars; use glass storage for breast milk; never heat plastics bottles for feeding

                           (heat the milk in glass container first); Stay away from all bad numbered plastic bottles, plastic liners, teethers, sippy

                           cups, and other toys that baby’s put in their mouth unless they state BisphenolA Free.

   4.  Choose metal feeding utensils and enamel, glass or ceramic plates.                            

           Cook with stainless steel or glass.  (Do not use old pottery)

   5.  Look for PVC-free labels.  NOTE: “Micro-wave safe is for dishes, not for your body”

   6.  Avoid foods wrapped in plastic.

   7.  Replace plastic toys with wood.  Keep plastic toys out of child’s mouth. 

        NOTE:  When a sippy cup gets “teeth marks” it is no longer being used properly, so get rid of it.

 
 

                                                                                                                                           

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