Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, and it can be difficult to know which types are safe to use and which are toxic. All traditional plastics are made from petroleum, but different types of plastic are made using different chemicals. Most plastics can be identified by a recycling code, which indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. These recycling codes can help you identify which plastics are safe to use and which should be avoided. While some sources suggest that all plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged, others claim that some plastics are safer than others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe plastic numbers | 2, 4, 5 |
| Unsafe plastic numbers | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
| Plastic number 2 characteristics | High strength-to-density ratio, superb wear resistance, can withstand heating and freezing, can be reused without any harm |
| Plastic number 2 examples | Sturdy bottles for cosmetics and household cleaners |
| Plastic number 3 characteristics | Strong and elastic, contains softening chemicals, can leach out phthalates or other harmful plasticizers |
| Plastic number 3 examples | Water pipes, shower curtains, cleaner bottles, pipes, cooking oil bottles, window and door frames, floors, clear food wrap |
| Plastic number 5 characteristics | Made from long chains of carbon and hydrogen, resistant to damage from temperature fluctuations |
| Plastic number 5 examples | Yogurt cups, baby bottles, Tupperware, hard plastic toys |
| Plastic number 7 examples | Polylactic acid (PLA), Tritan, thermoplastics |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling codes 2, 4 and 5 are the safest
Plastic is everywhere, and it seems almost impossible to escape it in the modern consumer world. However, we can make better choices by opting for safer types of plastic for our health and the environment.
The recycling code on a plastic product provides important data about the resin used and the recyclability of the item. It is usually found with a triangle symbol on the bottom, top, or side of the object. The number inside the triangle is what counts, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Recycling codes 2, 4, and 5 are considered the safest. Code 2 plastic, also known as HDPE (high-density polyethylene), has a high strength-to-density ratio, resulting in superb wear resistance. HDPE products can withstand heating and freezing, making them suitable for various weather conditions. They can be reused without any harm and are commonly used for sturdy bottles for cosmetics and household cleaners. Clear containers made from HDPE 2 plastic can be recycled back into new containers, while coloured HDPE 2 is turned into items like pipes, toys, and lawn furniture.
Code 4 plastics are mostly used for plastic shopping bags, which can often be returned to stores for recycling. It is recommended to clean and dry these bags before recycling.
Code 5 plastics are made from polypropylene, a safe material that does not wreak havoc on the body. It is made from long chains of carbon and hydrogen, which are non-reactive. This type of plastic is resistant to damage from temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for food storage, including in the freezer. Polypropylene is used for yogurt cups, baby bottles, and Tupperware.
While recycling codes 2, 4, and 5 are considered the safest, it is important to remember that all plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Therefore, it is best to move towards other materials, such as metal and glass, whenever possible.
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Recycling code 1 must be avoided
Recycling codes are important to understand as they provide information about the type of resin used and the recyclability of the item. While recycling is important to prevent plastic waste from ending up in landfills or harming marine life, not all plastics are created equal.
Recycling code 1, or PET/PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), is one of the most commonly used plastics for single-use bottled beverages due to its low cost, lightweight properties, and ease of recycling. However, it is important to avoid this type of plastic due to the potential health and environmental risks associated with it.
Firstly, PET plastic has a relatively low recycling rate of around 20%, despite being in high demand by manufacturers. This means that a significant amount of PET plastic ends up in landfills or the environment, contributing to waste and pollution.
Secondly, PET plastic is meant for single-use applications. Repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth, as it is hard to remove harmful chemicals and bacteria from the surface of this type of plastic. These chemicals may include suspected carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which can have serious health impacts on humans.
Additionally, PET plastic is often used for water and beverage bottles, food jars, containers, and other similar products. This means that it comes into direct contact with consumable goods, increasing the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals for people who use these products.
Finally, while recycling code 1 plastic is technically recyclable, it is important to check with your local waste management facilities to ensure they accept this type of plastic. Not all recycling centers have the capacity to process all types of plastics, and including non-recyclable items in your recycling bin can create additional work and costs for processors, potentially leading to the entire bag of items being sent to landfills.
Therefore, it is advisable to avoid recycling code 1 plastics as much as possible and opt for safer alternatives like glass or metal.
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Recycling code 3 is dangerous and non-recyclable
The presence of a recycling code on a plastic product does not necessarily indicate that it can be recycled. The number within the triangle is what matters, as each number corresponds to a different plastic type.
Recycling code 3, also known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), is one of the least recyclable plastics. It is also one of the most dangerous. This is because PVC contains softening chemicals such as phthalates, which can cause hormonal system problems. Other highly toxic chemicals, such as DEHA, can be produced during the lifecycle of PVC plastic. These chemicals can affect children's development, the immune system, and the endocrine system, and they can also cause cancer.
PVC is a widely used plastic, and its products are strong and elastic. It can be found in shower curtains, cleaner bottles, pipes, cooking oil bottles, window and door frames, floors, and clear food wrap.
It is important to note that all plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Therefore, it is recommended to use alternative materials such as metal and glass whenever possible.
While some sources suggest that recycling codes 2, 4, and 5 are the safest, it is always advisable to check the facilities of local waste recycling factories, as not all of them recycle all types of recyclable plastics.
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Recycling code 7 is generally non-recyclable
Recycling code 7 is considered a catch-all term for all the types of plastic that don't fall under any of the other six categories. It covers a wide array of plastic waste types, and not all of them are recyclable. Some plastic waste with the code 7 label cannot be recycled. This is because some waste that falls under plastic recycling code 7 is made from multiple plastic types that are hard or impossible to separate and recycle. Other items are simply made from plastic materials that aren't currently recyclable.
Code 7 plastic waste is still worth sending for recycling, as it will be checked, sorted, and recycled where possible. The general process for recycling some types of code 7 waste includes sorting, cleaning, shredding, melting, and moulding into pellets. However, it's important to note that there isn't one single method for recycling all code 7 plastics due to the variety of plastic types included in this category.
While some sources state that nothing with the number 7 can be recycled or reused, there are a few exceptions. Some safe plastics under recycling code 7 include polylactic acid (PLA), a newer plastic that is biodegradable and made from renewable resources like corn or soy; Tritan, a tough, clear plastic often used in water bottles or children's products; and thermoplastics.
It's important to check with local recycling facilities, as not all of them recycle all types of recyclable plastics.
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Recycling code 6 must be avoided
Recycling plastic is important, but it can be a complicated process. Consumers often don't know which types of plastic can be recycled and how. To help with this, plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This is known as the Plastic Resin Identification Code. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Recycling code 6, also known as polystyrene, should be avoided. It is used for disposable cups, take-out food containers, packing peanuts, egg cartons, and Styrofoam insulation. Technically, it can be reused and recycled, but the process is difficult and costly and is not widely used. Most curbside recycling programs will not accept polystyrene. It should not be burned, as this releases harmful ozone-depleting gases.
Polystyrene is not generally recyclable and accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. Because it breaks apart so easily, it is often ingested by marine animals and ends up on beaches. It should be avoided as its chemical compounds have been linked to human health and reproductive system dysfunction. It may also leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products, especially when heated in a microwave.
Recycling code 6 is not the only plastic recycling code that should be avoided. Code 3, or PVC, is also dangerous and one of the least recyclable plastics. It is strong, elastic, and waterproof but can leach out harmful phthalates or other plasticizers when heated or stressed, such as when chewed on by a teething baby. Crib mattresses or mattress protectors made from PVC can off-gas toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time.
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Frequently asked questions
The safest plastic recycling numbers are 2, 4 and 5. Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is highly resistant to damage from heating and freezing and can be reused without any harm. Number 4 plastic, or LDPE, is soft and flexible and often used for grocery bags and plastic wrap. Number 5 plastic, or PP, is considered safe for reuse and is often used for food storage.
The plastic recycling numbers to avoid are 1, 3, 6 and 7. Number 3 plastic, or PVC, is known as "poison plastic" and contains toxic chemicals such as phthalates and lead. Number 6 and 7 plastics may contain chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA), which is associated with adverse neurobehavioural development, cancer, asthma and fertility issues. Number 1 plastic, or PET, is meant for single-use and should not be reused as it has a high risk of leaching and bacterial growth.
Alternatives to plastic include glass, metal and food-grade silicone.
The number inside the triangular recycling code indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic and provides information about its recyclability.
