Plastic, plastic, plastic and a few smiles

 

As promised yesterday, I am going to talk a bit about the seven plastic numbers.  Three of the numbers are safe, three should be used with caution, and two should never be used.  Let me explain.  Look closely at any piece of plastic and you will find a recycling symbol at the bottom, top, or side of each plastic object.

This recycle sign looks like a triangle of arrows with the plastic number inside.  It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.

 

#1 Plastic is PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate).  It's one of the most commonly used.  If you used plastic today, chances are it would be PET.  It is used in water and beverages bottles, food jars, mouthwash, peanut butter jars, and other food containers. It is clear, mostly food safe for one time use, and is recyclable.  It can never be heated, but can be shredded for reuse. 

 

#2 Plastic is HDPE (high-density polyethylene).  It has a high strength-to-density ratio, thus the name.  This plastic will withstand heating and freezing so it can be used in various weather conditions.  It can also be used over and over.  You will find it in cosmetic containers, plastic envelopes, cleaning supply containers, stools, chairs, outdoor furniture, rope, and milk and juice bottles/jugs.  Since it can be used over and over, it is one of the safest plastics.  It can be recycled up to 10 times.

 

#3 Plastic is PVC (polyvinyl chloride).  It is one of the most dangerous plastics and one of the least recyclable.  This item is strong and elastic due to softening chemicals, which is phthalates. This plastic causes problems to the human hormonal system. It affects children’s development, including their immune and endocrine system. These harmful chemicals also cause cancer.  It is found in shower curtains, cleaner bottles, pipes, cooking oil bottles, window and door frames, floors, children's toys, and clear food wrap.  It is toxic when heated.  It cannot be recycled. 

#4 Plastic is LDPE (Low density polyethylene).  It is a thermoplastic and one of the oldest grades of polyethylene. It is food safe because it is used to make grocery bags and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves, squeezable bottles, and fresh produce.  Reuse this plastic at least a few times before moving it to a garbage bin.  Most recycling facilities do not accept it.

#5 Plastic is PP (Polypropylene).  It is used to make the food containers, rope, carpets, bottle caps, disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, disposable diapers, and cereal box liners.  It is also considered microwave safe, but that only means the heated product will not be deformed in the microwave.  It should be reused, because most recycling plants will not accept it.  

#6 Plastic is PS (Polystyrene) or Styrofoam.  It is used to make disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, to-go food containers, CD, DVD cases, egg cartons, and building and home insulation.  It is cheap to produce, lightweight, and can be easily formed.  It can take the form of rigid polystyrene or formed Styrofoam.  One of its many drawbacks is it breaks up easily and ends up on beaches and in the ocean.  Some facilities will recycle it, but most still will not.

#7 Plastic is Other.  Any type of plastic that doesn’t fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading.  This recycling logo also stands for polycarbonate (PC), which is very dangerous to humans and animals.  It is found in baby bottles, car parts, medical and dental equipment, electrical wiring, and sports bottles and equipment.  This plastic is often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled.  Most recycling facilities will not accept it.

To recap, #2, #4, and #5 are relatively safe to use.  However, even if a product is listed as microwave safe, it should not be used in the microwave.  Please use plastic products with great caution.  You will be safer by doing so, and so will the planet.

These guidelines are for the States.  I suspect recycling practices are quite different in other countries, especially after reading some comments from the day I shrunk #6 plastic.

Since I said I would be back to Friday Smiles this Friday, I knew I had to add in a few funnies.  My friend Lisca often shows these signs from Indian Hills, which I learned is a community in Colorado.  Here are a few for you to laugh at.

Thanks to those of you who visited my bEARTHday bash yesterday, and as promised, I hope you learned a bit about recycling plastic.  I look forward to reading Jan's take on plastic in the U.K.  Now let's join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the lovely ladies who join her.  Thanks again for visiting and spending a bit of time with me this Friday.