Plastic products are labeled per federal regulations, usually on the bottom of the product inside a triangle with a number which identifies the type of plastic and or whether it is recyclable. If the product is not labeled simply do not use it!  Recently there has been a marketing campaign by drink manufacturers to identify the bottles as less or no  plastic (Plant Based) which is deceiving. This is not true, the bottles are still plastic with the same health risks with the only difference being the use of ethanol (Sugar Cain) instead of petroleum to produce the product (Don’t be Fooled). These are usually used in drinking bottles such as water and soda and are still plastic and are (SINGLE USE Only-Do Not Re-Use).

No. 1 - PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Typical Product Application: Soft drink bottles, medicine containers
Recyclable? Yes.  Single use only as studies indicate PET containers leach DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting phthalate and probable human carcinogen. This plastic product should be used and then disposed of (Never Reuse). This type of plastic will leach toxins into whatever is being stored in them, the longer the storage the more leaching of toxins occur. Leaching also has been shown to accelerate when exposed to temperature swings, do not freeze or heat this type of plastic and then consume contents.  Extended use will increase risk of leaching. Also their design lends itself to harboring of bacterial growth.


No. 2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Typical Product Application: Toys, bottles for milk, water, detergent, shampoo, motor oil
Recyclable? Yes. This product is considered a safer plastic however research is still ongoing. So far research has not shown leaching of toxins from this type of plastic.

No. 3 - PVC  (polyvinyl chloride). Not Safe.
Typical Product Application: cordial, cooking oil, shampoo & detergent bottles, pipe & tubing, meat wrap.
Recyclable? Yes. Releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment when manufactured or incinerated. This product has been shown to leach harmful toxins into product being stored in them. Most common exposure would be deli meats and cheeses or pre-packaged cold cuts and cheeses as well as home plastic plastic wraps for food storage. Do not heat or freeze food in this product especially microwave heating as this will increase the leaching of toxins directly into the food in contact with it.

No. 4 - LDPE (low density polyethylene)
Typical Product Application: Soft, flexible plastic as used in garbage bags, wrapping films, grocery bags
Recyclable? No. Considered fairly food safe.

No. 5 - PP (polypropylene)
Typical Product Application: Hard, but flexible. Used in ice-cream & yogurt containers, potato crisp bags, drinking straws, syrup bottles, diapers
Recyclable? Less recyclable. Uses less toxic additives when manufactured.

No. 6 - PS (polystyrene). Not safe.
Typical Product Application : Rigid, brittle plastic. Coffee cups, take-out food containers, meat trays, plastic cutlery
Recyclable? No.  Can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen. This product has been shown to leach harmful toxins into whatever is being stored in them especially acid and oily products such as meat and cheese, the longer the storage the more leaching occurs. Also affected by temperature swings, when frozen or heated such as in a microwave.

No. 7 - Other (including polycarbonate, nylon and acrylic)
Typical Product Application: Baby's bottles, some water bottles, inside lining of canned foods.
Recyclable? No.  Plastic contains Bisphenol-A, a known hormone disruptor that may leach in some circumstances. Recent research has shown this product to leach into food products they are used with.

Understand the Plastics Impact on your Health and the Environment:

Plastics Impact Our Personal Health -

a)   Dioxins.  Dioxins, which are highly poisonous even at low doses, are produced when plastics are manufactured and incinerated. Various official reports have concluded that dioxins have the potential to produce an array of adverse health effects in humans, including hormone and immune system disruption, skin diseases and cancer.

b) Phthalates. Phthalates are "plasticizers" linked to a variety of birth defects and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses and other foods bought from shops are wrapped in PVC. The "plasticizers" are used in the manufacture of #3 PVC plastic to soften it into its flexible form. Traces of these chemicals, known as adipates and phthalates, can leak out of PVC when it comes in contact with foods. Phthalates are also widely used in cosmetics and beauty products, including nail polish.

c) Bisphenol A.  Plastic food and drinks containers are a great concern due to the safety issue around low-dose effects of bisphenol A (BPA).  Bisphenol A (BPA) was invented in the 1930s during the search for synthetic estrogens. Many #7 polycarbonate bottles are made with bisphenol A (BPA). It is the chemical used to make hard, clear plastics such as those found in baby bottles, food-storage containers and the lining of soft drink cans.  BPA is also used in the manufacture of epoxy resins and various other plastics. Chemical bonds that BPA forms in plastic can unravel when heated, washed or exposed to acidic foods, or as the container ages generally. This creates chemical contamination of the food or drink. Many studies have evaluated BPA as a hormone disruptor, a chemical that alters the body's normal hormonal activity. Our bodies are extremely sensitive to sex hormones, and miniscule amounts can induce profound changes.

d) Antimony.  In an effort to be healthier, we are turning to bottled water on mass.  The purity of the water in these commercial waters brands bottle aside, the leaching effect of plastic into water may be an issue. #1 PETE plastic water bottles have been shown to leach antimony into water. It is important to remember that leaving water in any plastic bottle for a prolonged period of time allows for chemical leaching to occur.


Tips for Reducing Your Toxic Plastic Exposure:

1) Store your food and water in glass or stainless steel if at all possible.

2) If you can't use glass, only use one of the above "safe" plastic jars.  Safer plastics for storing food & beverages = #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP . Most research has not shown leaching of any carcinogens or endocrine disruptors from these plastics.


4) Avoid Risky Plastics--#3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 Other (usually Polycarbonate ).  Found in some clear food packaging, #3 PVC, the second most commonly used plastic in the world, is a toxic plastic dangerous both to our health and to the environment. NEVER use Styrofoam cups, especially for hot drinks. Polystyrene, #6 PS, is usually found in foam containers and cups may leach styrene. Styrene, considered a possible human carcinogen, may also disrupt hormones or affect reproduction.  If you use baby bottles, know that around 95% of all baby bottles are currently made of polycarbonate (#7). Switch to polycarbonate-free baby bottles, like those manufactured from glass or from #5 PP, or consider using glass bottles when ever practical. And don't microwave your baby' plastic bottles!

5) Avoid heating food in plastic containers

6) Avoid storing fatty foods, such as meat and cheese, in plastic containers or plastic wrap

7) Bring your own containers and cups to shops where you'll be served in plastic

8) Avoid plastic cutlery and dinnerware, especially when cooking or heating food

9) Use wood instead of plastic cutting boards and spray your wooden board with a mist of vinegar, then with a mix of hydrogen peroxide, to kill bacteria

10) When purchasing cling-wrapped food from the supermarket or deli, slice off a thin layer where the food came into contact with the plastic and store the rest in a glass or ceramic container, or non-PVC cling wrap

11) Get a good quality, stainless steel, reusable water bottle. Never freeze plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.