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Understanding Plastic Recycling Codes …

Tags: bacterial growth, blister packs, blood bags, bread bags, cosmetic containers, detergent bottles, duty bags, food jars, food wrap, grocery bags, handy guide, high density, low density polyethylene, medicine bottles, pet plastic bottles, plastic recycling, polyvinyl chloride, potato chip bags, pp polypropylene, sport drinks,
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Language: english
Created: Sat May 24 00:31:24 2008
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  Understanding Plastic Recycling Codes
                                                                                   A handy guide to safe plastic use

                                                                                           Recycle
 Code                     Name                                  Common Use                  Rate                      Recommendation

                  PET                          Plastic bottles (soft drink, single-use               Be careful with producs labeled No. 1.
                  Polyethylene                 water bottles, sport drinks), food jars,     23%      Designed for single use only. Extended use
                  Terephthalate                cosmetic containers.                                  increases risk of leaching and bacterial growth.

                  HDPE                         Grocery Bags, detergent bottles, milk and             Appears to be Safe
                  High density                 juice jugs.                                  27%
                  polyethylene
                                               Garden hose, cable sheathing, window                  Avoid
                  PVC                          frames, blister packs, blood bags, meat     < 1%      Nicknamed the Poison Plastic, contains many
                  Polyvinyl chloride           wrap.                                                 dangerous toxins.

                  LDPE                         Heavy duty bags, drycleaning bags,
                                               bread bags, squeezable bottles, plastic     < 1%      Appears to be Safe
                  Low density
                  Polyethylene                 food wrap.

                                               Medicine bottles, cereal liners, packing              Appears to be Safe
                  PP
                  Polypropylene
                                               tape, straws, potato chip bags.              3%

                                               CD and video cases, plastic cutlery, foam             Avoid
                  PS                           packaging, egg cartons.                     < 1%      May leach styrene, a possible human
                  Polystyrene                                                                        carcinogen. May be a hormone disruptor.

                  Other                        Baby bottles, water cooler bottles, car               Caution
                  PC                           parts                                       < 1%      Concern with leaching of Bisphenol A which
                  Polycarbonate                                                                      appears to cause chromosonal damage.

Useful Tips:
· Store food and water in glass or stainless steel containers whenever possible                      www.PlasticFreeBottles.com
· Minimize or eliminate exposure to plastics with code 1, 3, 6, or 7
                                                                                                         Your source for alternatives to plastic bottles
· Do not use products (especially Baby Bottles) identified with No. 7