Monday, May 18, 2009

Plastic code for dummies...like me.

Are you having problems figuring out which plastic is good or bad? Well your not alone. Here's a list of plastic codes and what they mean. This number should be located on the bottom of the plastic item you are inquiring about. Even if there is no number, dont throw it away. Below has ideal items that dont always have numbers but are safe. Be sure to read completely.

#1, PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate):  easily recycled, not found to leach. Used in water, juice and soft drink bottles. Known to absorb odors and bacteria after long time use.
 
#2, HDPE (high-density polyethylene): easily recycled, not found to leach. Used in milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles. Soon to be in a new Nalgene bottle. Known to absorb odors and bacteria after long time use. 
 
#3, PVC or Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride):  not recyclable; soft PVC can leach toxic phthalates. Used in some cling wraps, children's toys, fashion accessories, rain gear, detergent and spray bottles.
 
#4:  LDPE (low-density polyethylene):  recyclable at recycling centers; not found to leach. Used in most plastic shopping bags, cling wraps, some baby bottles and reusable drink & food containers.
 
#5:  PP (polypropylene):  recyclable in some curbside programs, not found to leach. Used in some baby bottles, most yogurt and deli takeout containers, Tupperware- and Rubbermaid-type reusable food and drink containers.
 
#6:  PS (polystyrene):  recyclable in some curbside programs, can leach styrene, a neurotoxin. Used in rigid foam drink cups, takeout food containers, egg containers, some plastic cutlery.
 
#7:  It's a mixed bag! This code applies to all other plastics, notably PC, or Polycarbonate, which Nalgene is discontinuing in its popular Lexan sports bottles because it can leach the suspected hormone disupting chemical, bisphenol-A. Polycarbonate also doesn't recycle.
But #7 also includes the relatively benign new copolyester Tritan plastic, which Nalgene is substituting for PC in its new Everyday line; Camelbak also makes sports bottles with Tritan.

Adding to the confusion, the burgeoning crop of bioplastics falls under code #7, as well. These include PLA, or Polyactide, made from plants, especially corn. As a material, it's certainly renewable and hence greener than petroleum, with which all the above plastics are made. Ant it's used with increasing frequency in water bottles, bags, supermarket takeout containers and other packaging.
 
At the moment, PLA is not easily recyclable, but it can technically be recycled with other, conventional plastics so long as it comprises only 5 percent of the batch.  Hmm. Some brave recycling programs, apparently, are game. Most commonly, PLA can be composted in industrial-strength composters, at high heat (not advised for your kitchen bin, but a good option for universities, hospitals and other large institutions). PLA will decompose, slowly, eventually, in a compost heap or landfill (heaven forbid), where it can release methane, another greenhouse gas.

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