Numbers to Look for on Plastic Bottles

Consumption and recycling have become major aspects of today's society. On the bottoms of most plastic bottles and containers you will notice a letter abbreviation or a triangular symbol with a number inside it. In 1988, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association created the resin code numbering system for bottles and containers. This numbering system identifies plastic materials found in those items.

Numbers 1 Through 7

• Seven different numbers make up the resin code numbering system. These numbers represent the types of plastics that can be found in the marketplace. Please note, SPI rates some plastics as healthier and more environmentally friendly than others.

  Plastic #1 (PET or PETE): Polyethylene terephthanalate forms disposable clear plastic bottles used for sodas, juices and water. This plastic, considered relatively safe, is best to be used only once, for it has a porous surface and can allow bacteria to form and accumulate inside the bottle.

  Plastic #2 (HDPE): High density polyethylene is a soft plastic used in milk jugs, juice bottles and detergent and toiletry bottles. However, there are two types of HDPE plastics, clear plastic bottles (milk jugs and juice bottles) and colored plastic bottles (detergent and toiletry bottles). The clear plastic can be recycled to create more containers, while the colored HDPE is recycled to create plastic lumber. This plastic is considered safe and is also recycled to make plastic bags, recycling bins and more bottles.

  Plastic #3 (PVC or Vinyl): Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic used to make clear food packaging, plumbing pipes and bottles for cooking oils. Phthalates, additives used in PVC, make plastic materials more flexible. Examples include vinyl shower curtains and wires. Phthalates can interfere with hormones, according to EcoVillageGreen.com. Most food packaging items are not made with phthalates; especially if made in the United States. Some plastic food wraps are made with a PVC but then are combined with other additives to increase flexibility. The additives used are either adipates or citrates, therefore, making this plastic safe for food packaging.

  Plastic #4 (LDPE):

  Low-density polyethylene is a lightweight, flexible plastic used to make bread bags, grocery bags, some food wraps and squeezable bottles. It is considered safe to use.

  Plastic #5 (Polypropylene): This plastic is used to make wide-necked containers, straws, medicine bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles and cloudy finished water bottles. This plastic is safe.

  Plastic #6 (Polystyrene or Styrofoam): This plastic is used to make disposable containers and is considered harmful when heated. When the plastic container is heated, toxic chemicals may be released, according to EcoVillageGreen.com.

  Plastic #7 (Other Plastics): This plastic includes polycarbonates and BPAs. This plastic is not considered safe and should be avoided.

Recycling

• Not all plastics are considered curbside friendly. Many towns and city governments now have guidelines as to recycling requirements. Some areas have pick-up services and some have drop-off sites. Generally plastics #1, #2 and #5 can be used by a recycling company, while plastics #3, #4, #6 and #7 are not always suitable for recycling. The plastics that cannot be recycled will end up in a landfill.

Interesting Facts

• According to SPI, "Recycled plastics are used to produce new products like lumber for outdoor decking, carpeting, fleece jackets and t-shirts and for every ton of plastic bottles recycled, saves about 3.8 barrels of oil."

  It is an urban legend that freezing plastic bottles releases dioxins into the water. Plastic bottles used for human consumption do not contain chemicals that produce dioxins. In addition, freezing the bottles works against the release of harmful chemicals.

  Resin identification numbers do not directly provide guidelines on the safety or intended use of plastic products. The intended use of the numbering system is to educate people on the specific kinds of plastic materials that make up the bottles and containers.

Be Cautious

• Knowing what plastics are made of and which different types are safe can aid in maintaining your health and well-being.

  When reheating foods, always use containers that are microwave safe. These containers are made to withstand high temperatures. Furthermore, for any food that is wrapped in plastics, unless otherwise specified, remove the plastic wrapping and place the food in a microwave-safe dish or container before heating in a microwave.