Alexei Volkov
Plastic is ubiquitous in our lives, from food packaging and water bottles to clothing and furniture. However, not all plastics are created equal, and some are more harmful to our health and the environment than others. One of the most common types of plastic is labelled with Recycle Code 7, but is it bad for us? The short answer is yes – and no. The number 7 plastic recycling code is a catch-all for various plastic types that aren't usually recycled. These include polycarbonate, acrylic, epoxy resins, and polylactic acid, which are used in everything from plastic bottles to medical equipment and toys. The problem with number 7 plastics is that some contain chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor that can leach into food and drinks. However, not all number 7 plastics contain BPA, and many items marked with code 7 are BPA-free, such as plastic glasses, melamine dishes, and biodegradable bioplastics. While recycling number 7 plastics is controversial due to the potential release of toxins, it's important to note that not all number 7 plastics are harmful, and proper recycling can help protect the environment by reducing landfill waste.
Characteristics and Values of Recycle Code 7 Plastics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Recycling Code 7 plastics are difficult to recycle at home. |
| Acceptance by Local Authorities | Most local authorities and councils don't accept waste items with the code 7 logo as sorting, processing, and recycling can be too time-consuming and expensive. |
| Composition | Products with the number 7 are often made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that cannot be easily recycled. |
| Recycling Process | Code 7 plastics are sorted, cleaned, and shredded at waste management centres. |
| Health Risks | Some Code 7 plastics contain chemicals like BPA, BPS, and BPF that can leach into food or drinks and act as hormone disruptors. |
| Biodegradability | Code 7 compostable plastics are plant-based resins that will degrade under certain conditions but not in landfills or the wild. |
| Symbol | The number 7 is usually found inside a small triangle made of arrows. |
| Examples | Plastic bottles, water bottles, compact disks, and cell phone cases. |
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What You'll Learn
Code 7 plastics are hard to recycle at home
Plastics with a recycling code of 7 are difficult to recycle at home. This is because they are often made of multiple types of plastic or other types of plastic that are hard to recycle. Code 7 plastics are a combination of plastic materials that don't fall into the six main categories of plastics. As a result, there is no single method for recycling them.
Most local authorities and councils don't accept code 7 plastics for recycling as it can be too time-consuming and expensive to sort, process, and recycle. However, it is still worth sending code 7 plastics for recycling as they can be sorted and separated at specialised recycling centres. Recyclable types of code 7 plastics, such as polycarbonate, can be shredded, granulated, and turned into new products.
Some types of code 7 plastics are biodegradable and compostable. However, they require processing at modern, high-rate composting facilities, which are not widely available. These compostable code 7 plastics are made from plant-based resins that will degrade under certain conditions but not in landfills or the wild.
It is important to check your local guidelines to determine which resins your community recycles. If code 7 plastics are not accepted, it is best to dispose of them responsibly rather than placing them in recycling bins. This is because non-recyclable items in the recycling stream can contaminate and destroy an entire batch of recycling if not removed.
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Code 7 plastics are a catch-all category
Code 7 plastics are a "catch-all" category for plastic types that do not fit into the first six categories. They are often made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are hard to recycle. Code 7 plastics include acrylic, SAN, Tritan, PLA compostable plastic blends, SAN and NAS blends, and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a clear, hard plastic that has come under scrutiny due to its use of bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor and potential toxin.
The presence of a resin code, such as the number 7, does not necessarily indicate that a product can be recycled. Only a few communities recycle any Code 7 plastics, and even then, it is challenging to do so. Code 7 plastics require processing at modern, high-rate composting facilities, which are scarce. The recycling process for Code 7 plastics includes sorting, cleaning, and shredding.
The controversy surrounding Code 7 plastics stems from concerns about the potential release of harmful chemicals during recycling. Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in polycarbonate, has raised health concerns. However, it is important to note that not all Code 7 plastics contain BPA, and some are BPA-free. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that "BPA levels are currently safe to consume in food." Nonetheless, some experts advise avoiding plastic containers marked with #7, especially when microwaving food or beverages, due to the potential risk of chemical leaching.
While recycling Code 7 plastics can be challenging, it is not impossible. Some waste management centres sort, separate, clean, and recycle these plastics. It is crucial to check with local authorities and guidelines to determine if Code 7 plastics are accepted for recycling in your area. Properly disposing of or recycling Code 7 plastics helps protect the environment and ensures responsible waste management.
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$37.65
Some Code 7 plastics contain harmful chemicals
The #7 plastic recycling code is a catch-all category for various plastic types that are not commonly recycled. These include polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, polylactic acid, and epoxy resins. While some #7 plastics are indeed BPA-free, others do contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor. According to the FDA, current BPA levels are safe for consumption, but some studies have shown that BPA can leach out of plastic containers and into the food or liquid they contain, especially when heated or damaged.
BPA is not the only chemical of concern in #7 plastics. Other substitutes, such as BPS and BPF, have also been identified as potential endocrine disruptors. As a result, it is recommended to avoid plastic containers marked with #3, #6, or #7, especially when microwaving food or beverages.
The difficulty in recycling #7 plastics stems from the fact that they are made of multiple plastic types or other hard-to-recycle plastics. Most local authorities do not accept #7 plastics for recycling due to the time and expense involved in sorting, processing, and recycling them. Even when recycled, #7 plastics may only be suitable for certain applications, such as insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, and carryout containers.
To make informed decisions about the plastic products we use, it is essential to understand the risks associated with specific plastic types. While recycling can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, it is also crucial to minimise the use of single-use plastics and choose reusable options whenever possible.
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Code 7 plastics are marked with a recycling symbol
The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that counts as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. Code 7 plastics include acrylic, SAN, Tritan, PLA compostable plastic blends, SAN and NAS blends, and polycarbonate.
Some experts believe it is safe to recycle number 7 plastic, but it is important to note that number 7 plastic is a catch-all category that includes many different types of plastics. Some of these plastics contain chemicals that could be harmful if released into the environment during the recycling process. For example, some plastic containers can contain small amounts of BPA (Bisphenol A) that can leach out into the liquid or food contained within. However, the FDA has stated that "BPA levels are currently safe to consume in food."
Code 7 plastics are not commonly recycled in residential and community recycling programs, and most local authorities and councils don't accept them as sorting, processing, and recycling can be too time-consuming and expensive. However, sending your code 7 plastic waste for recycling is still responsible as it will be checked, sorted, and recycled where possible.
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Code 7 plastics are not always accepted by local authorities
Secondly, the recycling infrastructure and capabilities differ across communities. Some communities may lack access to modern, high-rate composting facilities, which are required for processing certain types of code 7 plastics, such as compostable resins. As a result, these materials often end up in landfills, which contributes to environmental pollution and occupies valuable space.
Additionally, the recycling symbol on plastic products, which includes the chasing arrows triangle or the resin code inside, can be misleading. While the presence of the chasing arrows may imply recyclability, it is important to understand that the number within the symbol is what truly matters. The number indicates the specific type of plastic, and each type has its own recyclability and processing requirements.
Furthermore, some types of code 7 plastics, such as those made from polycarbonates, do not degrade easily and pose environmental risks if not disposed of properly. The potential leakage of BPA into the environment, for example, underscores the critical nature of disposing of these plastics correctly.
Lastly, the recyclability of code 7 plastics has traditionally been limited, and local providers may be hesitant to accept them due to their historical classification as non-recyclable materials. This perception is slowly changing, with some recyclers now using modern composting methods to process certain types of code 7 plastics. However, the lack of standardisation and the varying capabilities of recycling plants contribute to the inconsistent acceptance of code 7 plastics across local authorities.
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Frequently asked questions
Code 7 is a catch-all term for all the types of plastic that don't fall under any of the first six categories. These plastics are often made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that can't easily be recycled.
Some experts believe it is safe to recycle number 7 plastic, but others disagree because some number 7 plastics contain chemicals that could be harmful if released into the environment during the recycling process.
Number 7 plastics are more likely to leach toxins if they are heated or damaged. They may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a hormone disruptor.
The number 7 will appear inside a small triangle made of arrows. However, not all products with this code contain BPA, and polycarbonate is just one of the many types of plastics labelled number 7.
