Have you ever notice the number inside the recycle logo on the plastic bottle or other products made from plastic that you use everyday? We think most people have seen it before but majority maybe did not know the meaning of that number. In this article we will reveal those secret. After you know, it is a good tip helping you to stay healthy and protect our environment. The number is ranged from 1 to 7 and each number is represented kind of plastic, chemical use and how it made.
Plastic No. 1: PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic bottles were invented by DuPont engineer Nathaniel Wyeth in the USA in 1973 and were patented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. It’s the first plastic bottle to withstand the pressure of carbonated liquids.
This plastic is common used to pack water, cosmetics, juice, soft drinks, oil, peanut butter and this plastic is not design to reuse which can only use for 1 time so, do not keep this plastic bottle to refill water for reuse due to the chemical inside this type of plastic can be leaked after cleaning by detergent or hit by high temperature. Please remind that do not drink water pack in this type of plastic bottle when keep in high temperature place especially in car.
This type of plastic can be recycled into paneling, bags, carpet, furniture, fiber, and polar fleece. It is also used to make bottles of water, juice, soft drinks, mouthwash and sports drinks. Do not throw it away and keep it in recycle dust bin in order to save our environment as it need a million of year to dispose.
Plastic No. 2: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is made from petroleum. It is hard and can standstill against high temperature or exposure to sunlight or extremes of heating or freezing. It is common used to made table, chair, waste bin or any of product which used directly with sunlight.
This kind of plastic is easily recycled with low cost to made milk jugs, kid toy, plastic bottle and plastic bags. There is no any health concern related to this type plastic.
Plastic No. 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has toxic chemicals, a popular thermoplastic that contains high levels of chlorine which can reach up to 57% and also contain of phthalates, a plasticizer, it can be made softer and more flexible. It is commonly used to made clothes, shower curtain, detergent bottle, shampoo bottle, pip and car interior accessory.
This type of plastic can released of toxic chemicals into the air which cause acute (temporary) or chronic (permanence) disease. It can be effected to nose or throat irritation, or they could be serious, like eye damage or passing out from chemical vapors.
In order to prevent, you try not to use product made from PVC as less as possible but some products did not have a substitute product but you can avoid it with a good air circulation in your house by open door or window when you stay. Try to allow air flow out when you are in the car as we already mention that car interior is also made from PVC.
Keep remind do not burn this type of plastic due to it will release toxic chemicals which lead to air pollution with a long term effect. Please keep and sent for recycle as much as possible.
Plastic No. 4: Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is made from petroleum which can be found translucent or opaque. It is tough, flexible but breakable that why is commonly used to made plastic bag, inner and outer of milk cartons as waterproof, packaging material, squeezable bottles. There is no any health concern related to this type plastic.
This type of plastic can be reused but can not be recycled, therefore, please try to reuse plastic bag as much as possible and find a way not to use plastic bag by using disposable plastic bag or permanence bag when do shopping in order to keep our environment clean.
Plastic No. 5: Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is similar to plastic No. 1 but it is more stiffer and heat resistant. It is commonly used to made food container of ketchup, yogurt, cottage cheese, lunch box, straw, bottle cap, baby bottle, disposable diaper and sanitary pad liners. This type of plastic is microwavable and dishwasher safe.
Microwavable/dishwasher safe only means that the plastic will not warp when heated. It does not imply that it is a healthy practice. A better alternative is using glass containers to heat foods and to hand wash plastic instead of using the dishwasher.
Polypropylene is also recyclable but a significant proportion is still dumped into landfills as it is currently not as economically viable.
Plastic No. 6: Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene (PS) is made from petroleum with plastic. It is ultra lightweight with weak structure which can be easily break up and dispose readily throughout natural environment. It is commonly used to made take away food packaging, disposable bow/cup, packing peanuts, bike helmets, DVD case ect...
Polystyrene is known to leach chemical inside this type of plastic which can greatly damage your nervous system and linked to cancer with a long term use of this. Do not use food packaging made from this type of plastic for hot coffee, food and beverage and try to reduce it as much as possible by using glass/bottle, food container made from stainless steel or say no to the take a way food.
Moreover, it is not recyclable plastic so try to reduce it as much as possible to protect our environment for our next generation.
Plastic No. 7: Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)
It can be a little tricky as it stands for “Other” which may or may not contain BPA. It is commonly used to label Polycarbonate (PC). The letters PC may be present with the recycling symbol, which would indicate that the product is made with polycarbonate. It is commonly used to made Electrical wiring, Baby bottles, 3 and 5 gallon reusable bottles and ect...
This type of plastic can be leaked BAP which can effected to brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. Therefore,
you should chose product made from this type of plastic with indicate
free of BAP.
Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled.
After reading this article you should have a sense of what type of plastic which is good for your health and how to help in protect our environment as the usage of plastic product is more and more which face a difficulty to manage it as it need many for it to dispose by the nature with less effect to our environment.
If can try not to use food packaging made from plastic as it is not 100% effect to our health although some plastic is recommended for food.
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