Plastic
Types and Uses
Recycle
codes and their abbreviations:
Plastics
that, according to some experts, have no known health hazards:
#1
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
#2
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
#4
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
#5
Polypropylene (PP)
Plastics
that have been shown to have potential health hazards:
#3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or
vinyl)-used in cling wrap, plastic trays (used in cookie packages for example),
candy wrappers, and some bottles, such as cooking oil bottles.
-adipates
and phthalates are used to soften PVC. These chemicals can leach into foods,
especially fatty foods, such as meats, cheeses, and alcoholic beverages. High
temperatures also allow chemicals to leach.
#6 Polystyrene (PS)-uses
include most foam containers and cups, foam “clamshell” take-out food
containers, and some clear disposable take-out containers.
—-The
World Health Organization considered styrene as a possible carcinogen. The
chemical is also suspected of disrupting normal hormone functions and affecting
reproduction.
#7 Polycarbonate (PC)-this
plastic includes baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, some microwave ovenware,
and the lining in canned foods.
—-Polycarbonate
bottles are made with bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that, when leached in
sufficient quantities, has been shown to alter hormone function and chromosome
alignment in mice and their reproductive cells. However, human health effects
of this plastic have not been established.
What
Can We Do as Consumers –Safe Habits to Follow:
1. Check those numbered recycling triangles when you buy plastic.
Safest are numbers are 1, 2, 4 and 5. Avoid numbers 3, 6 and 7.
2. Recycling plastics can help cut down on
waste, too. If every American household recycled just 1 of 10 HDPE (#2) bottles
used, it would keep 200 million pounds of plastics out of the landfills
annually.
a. Recycled plastics are used for fleece
clothing, luggage, garden hoses, egg cartons and many more products.
3. Do not microwave plastics not intended for
such use. Many experts recommend avoidance of any plastic
in the microwave, even if it’s labeled microwave-safe. Heat further leaches
chemicals from plastics.
4. Try stainless-steel water bottles
(available at some natural products stores or www.greenfeet.com) instead
of Lexan (Nalgene) bottles made from PC. If you reuse single-use bottled water
containers avoid washing them in the dishwasher and let them dry thoroughly to
remove any lingering bacteria. Pouches for personal hydration systems (such as
camelback) are made from PET, which is considered safe.
5. Do not keep store-bought cheese, meats, or
fish in the original cling wrap, which is likely to be PVC. At home, transfer
to polyethelene cling wrap like Glad wrap, Ziplock bags, waxed paper, or glass
containers.
6. Many local grocers will no longer be
offering a plastic
bag for your groceries. I think this is a great idea and will have a huge
impact. Consumers can purchase canvas bags at a nominal fee, which is the best
option.
7. Consider buying PC-free baby bottles made
from glass or polyethylene, or disposable nursers with PC-free throwaway
liners. If you must use PC bottles, do not use them to store breast milk or
formula and do not overheat bottles filled with breast milk or formula. Look
for toys and teethers that are “PVC-free”.
8. Avoid putting hot foods in plastic
containers (including Styrofoam). Heat further leaches chemicals from plastics.
Better yet, use glass containers.
9. Reduce your plastic
consumption by purchasing bulk foods, using your own reusable containers or
bags, buying waxed-paper for sandwiches and snacks, and use your own cloth or
canvas bag at the grocers.
10. Bring your own plates, containers, or
metal cutlery to fast-food and take-out restaurants.
11. Use fresh or frozen foods instead of
canned products (because of the polycarbonate lining in the cans).
Source: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://approachablenutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/plastic-on-beach-image.jpg&imgrefurl=http://approachablenutrition.com/plastic-impact-on-heath-and-the-environment/&usg=__2HV6ymhXm-p32YvoiYXwRqdSCGw=&h=191&w=300&sz=15&hl=en&start=13&sig2=SB8Qqk51W1rtxTCOBcEyxA&um=1&tbnid=mAZ-AtU0HOwu3M:&tbnh=74&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dplastic%2Bon%2Bbeach%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1B3GGGL_enTH292TH292%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1&ei=kHrCSfbINsSb-gaF3vzgBg