Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, and it is important to understand the different types and their potential harm to our health and the environment. Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows, which identifies the type of plastic used and provides information about its recyclability. While recycling symbols 1-7 are used to help consumers understand which plastics can be recycled, not all plastics are recyclable or reusable. Number 6 plastic, for example, is difficult to recycle and is not accepted everywhere. Number 7 plastic is a catch-all category for all types of plastics other than numbers 1 through 6, and it includes polycarbonate, which contains the highly toxic BPA.
Characteristics and Values of Plastic Numbers 6 and 7
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Number 6 | Polystyrene (PS), Styrofoam, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) |
| Recyclability | Difficult to recycle, accepted by specific recycling facilities |
| Usage | Disposable containers, food ware, packaging (e.g. packing peanuts), bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, containers for food items |
| Health and Environmental Impact | Contains BPA (Bisphenol A), a highly toxic chemical linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children |
| Plastic Number 7 | Polycarbonate (PC), "Other" plastics, PLA (Polylactic Acid), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Acrylic, Melamine, Nylon, Biodegradable plastics |
| Recyclability | Difficult to recycle, not accepted by most curbside recycling programs |
| Usage | Baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, car parts, CDs, DVDs, sports equipment, medical devices, computer parts, takeaway containers, eyewear, plastic housing for electrical items, Lego blocks |
| Health and Environmental Impact | Contains BPA, a hormone disruptor; some substitutes like BPS and BPF may also disrupt endocrine function |
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What You'll Learn
- Number 6 plastics are polystyrene, or Styrofoam, and are difficult to recycle
- Number 7 plastics are a catch-all category for all other types of plastics
- Number 7 plastics include items like baby bottles, CDs, car parts, and Lego blocks
- Number 6 plastics are toxic and should be avoided, especially around food
- Number 6 plastics are being recycled more often, but it is still preferable to reuse them
Number 6 plastics are polystyrene, or Styrofoam, and are difficult to recycle
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating the resin used and the recyclability of the item. Number 6 plastics are polystyrene, otherwise known as Styrofoam.
Polystyrene is a staple plastic in the packaging and insulation market, with common uses including disposable containers, foodware, and packing peanuts. It is also used in expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polystyrene paper, such as food trays and cups. Despite its good recyclability, polystyrene is difficult to recycle due to several economic and logistical challenges.
One of the major barriers to polystyrene recycling is the high cost of polystyrene waste, which can lead to lower profits and financial difficulties for recycling businesses. For example, the process of deriving benzene from polystyrene waste has a higher cost than using petroleum-derived benzene. Additionally, the market volume of upcycled polystyrene products does not meet the demand, making it less profitable to recycle this type of plastic. The high recycling costs and limited profitability have resulted in a low willingness to recycle polystyrene, despite its potential for recyclability.
Furthermore, polystyrene foam has a low density, making it uneconomical to collect for recycling. Manufacturers often cannot obtain sufficient scrap polystyrene, and it is not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs. However, if polystyrene waste undergoes an initial compaction process to increase its density, it can become a valuable recyclable commodity for producers of recycled plastic pellets. Volume reduction techniques, such as compaction and densification, make it more cost-effective to transport and process polystyrene for recycling.
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Number 7 plastics are a catch-all category for all other types of plastics
Plastic items are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, with number 7 plastics being a catch-all category for all other types of plastics outside of the first six categories. Number 7 plastics include all plastic types except for numbers 1 to 6, including PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, and PVC. This category is extremely diverse and extensive, encompassing a wide range of plastics with various characteristics.
Number 7 plastics include recyclable, non-recyclable, mixed plastics, and biodegradable plastics. Some common plastics in this group are nylon, polycarbonate, or melamine. Number 7 plastics are used in a variety of everyday items, such as baby bottles, plastic CDs, eyeglasses, car parts, and exterior lighting fixtures. It is important to note that number 7 plastics should be used with caution, especially around food or drink, as they may contain BPA, a highly toxic chemical linked to health issues.
The presence of BPA in number 7 plastics is a significant concern. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a building block of polycarbonate plastic and has been linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children. Due to these health risks, it is advisable to avoid using number 7 plastics, especially for children's food and drinks. However, some manufacturers have transitioned to BPA-free plastics, but certain substitutes like BPS and BPF may still disrupt endocrine function.
While number 7 plastics are challenging to recycle, it is not impossible. Some companies are working towards establishing recycling programs for these plastics. It is important for consumers to advocate for recycling initiatives and support companies that prioritize sustainability. By understanding the different types of plastics and their potential health and environmental impacts, we can make more informed choices to protect our health and the planet.
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Number 7 plastics include items like baby bottles, CDs, car parts, and Lego blocks
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This recycling symbol provides important data about the type of resin used and the recyclability of the item.
Number 7 plastics are a bit of a mixed bag and can be confusing because they include a mix of materials. Number 7 plastics are often made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that can't be easily recycled. They are essentially everything else that does not fall under the first six categories of plastics. Number 7 plastics include items like baby bottles, CDs, car parts, and Lego blocks.
Baby bottles made from number 7 plastics, such as polycarbonate, often contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to health issues like obesity, cancer, endocrine problems, and reproductive issues. As a result, some countries have banned the use of polycarbonate for baby bottles and formula due to the risks. Number 7 plastics are not widely recycled, and most factories do not accept them. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Number 7 plastics are found in many everyday items, including baby bottles, CDs, car parts, and Lego blocks, as mentioned earlier. Some other common items made from number 7 plastics are computer keyboards, mouse, eyewear, plastic housing for electrical objects, and plastic used for 3D printing.
While number 7 plastics can be challenging to recycle, it is not impossible. They can be recycled through specialist recyclers or local materials recovery facilities.
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Number 6 plastics are toxic and should be avoided, especially around food
Plastic is everywhere, and while it may seem impossible to escape, we can make better choices by opting for safer types of plastic. Understanding the potential harm of different plastics can help us make more informed decisions.
Number 6 plastics are identified by the chasing arrows triangle with a 6 inside, and they are primarily made of polystyrene or Styrofoam. These plastics are notoriously difficult to recycle, with only specific facilities accepting them for recycling. As a result, polystyrene accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. While it can take hundreds of years to decompose, it also leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. This makes it crucial to avoid Number 6 plastics, especially when it comes to food and beverage storage.
The presence of BPA (Bisphenol A), a highly toxic chemical, further exacerbates the dangers associated with Number 6 plastics. BPA has been linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children. It is often found in polycarbonate products, which fall under the Number 7 plastic category. While some manufacturers have transitioned to BPA-free plastics, certain substitutes like BPS and BPF may still disrupt endocrine function. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid Number 6 plastics, especially when microwaving food or beverages.
To reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, it is best to avoid Number 6 plastics altogether and opt for safer alternatives like glass, metal, or bamboo. When it comes to food storage, you can use glass containers, platinum silicone, or stainless steel to avoid chemicals leaching into your food. By making conscious choices and understanding the different types of plastics, you can protect your health and the environment.
While recycling is an important step in managing plastic waste, it is not always widely available for Number 6 plastics. Recycling technology for polystyrene exists, but the market for it is small. However, awareness among consumers has led to increased reuse of polystyrene, such as foam packing chips. By reusing and reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we can minimise the negative impact on the environment.
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Number 6 plastics are being recycled more often, but it is still preferable to reuse them
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, indicating the type of plastic used for the product. However, it is important to note that the presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled.
Number 6 plastics, also known as PS, are made from polystyrene or Styrofoam, which is commonly used for disposable containers, food ware, and packaging materials like packing peanuts. While it is possible to recycle Number 6 plastics, it is not widely practised or accepted everywhere. Due to the widespread use of polystyrene and its impact on the environment, efforts have been made to create more facilities for recycling Number 6 plastics. However, it is still preferable to collect and reuse these plastics rather than recycle them. This is because polystyrene is known to leach potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated, and it can take hundreds of years to decompose if not properly recycled.
Number 7 plastics, on the other hand, are a catch-all category for all types of plastics that do not fit into the previous categories (numbers 1 through 6). This includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items composed of different types of plastics. It is important to note that Number 7 plastics are not meant for reuse unless they have specific compostable coding, such as PLA (polylactic acid). Recycling Number 7 plastics can be challenging, as most factories and recycling programs do not accept them due to the lack of standard protocols for their handling.
To summarise, while recycling Number 6 plastics is becoming more common, it is still better to reuse these plastics whenever possible. This is because polystyrene can be toxic, difficult to recycle, and takes a long time to decompose. By reusing Number 6 plastics, we can reduce the potential health risks associated with this type of plastic and minimise its impact on the environment. Additionally, it is generally advisable to avoid Number 7 plastics, especially for food-related products, due to the challenges and limitations of recycling this diverse category of plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Type 6 plastic is polystyrene or Styrofoam, which is used to make most disposable containers and foodware. It is difficult to recycle and is only accepted by specific recycling facilities.
Type 7 plastic is a catch-all category for all types of plastics other than numbers 1 through 6. It includes polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, melamine, and nylon. It is hard to recycle type 7 plastics and most factories do not accept them.
Some everyday items made from type 7 plastics are baby bottles, plastic CDs, eyeglasses, car parts, or exterior lighting fixtures.
Types 6 and 7 plastics are considered dangerous because they contain BPA, a highly toxic chemical that is linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children.
To avoid using types 6 and 7 plastics, opt for reusable options made from glass, metal, bamboo, or other environmentally friendly materials. For example, you can use glass food storage containers, metal straws, or stainless steel takeaway containers.
