What do symbols on plastic containers mean?

Plastic containers like milk jugs and water bottles all contain a numerical code for the resin type. This resin identification coding system was created in 1988 as a way to improve identification of resin types for recycling programs.

What do the codes on the bottom of plastic containers indicate?

The number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials. Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed.

What do plastic codes mean?

Officially, the symbol embedded on most plastics is called a “resin identification code” and it's numbers, 1 to 7, help us to identify the type of plastic it is made from. It does not indicate the recyclability of a product. We'll say it again: A plastic recycling symbol ≠ A product is recyclable.

What numbers on plastic containers are safe?

To make a long story short: plastic recycling numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safest. Whereas plastic numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7 must be avoided. But it does not indicate that you can fearlessly use safer plastic. All plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged.

How do you read plastic containers?

What those symbols on food storage containers really mean

What number plastics Cannot be recycled?

Finally, plastics number 6 and 7 are never recycled.

Which plastics are BPA free?

What plastics should you avoid?

What is the safest plastic?

The bottom line

Polypropylene is a plastic that's used to make everything from rugs to sour cream containers. It's generally considered to be one of the safer plastics. The FDA has approved its use as a food container material, and there are no known cancer-causing effects associated with polypropylene.

How can you tell if a plastic container is food safe?

The easiest way to check is to look for the Resin Identification Code—i.e., recycling number—which identifies the type of plastic material. The code consists of a triangle of arrows surrounding a number between 1 and 7. Generally, numbers 1 through 7 indicate food grade plastic.

Which plastics are safe for food storage?

What are #1 through #7 plastics?

Can number 5 plastic be reused?

If you find as #2, #4, or #5 plastic, those are fairly safe to reuse. These contain low levels of polyethylene thermoplastic, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

Which plastics are safe for drinking water?

High-density polyethylene, or HDPE (No. 2); low-density polyethylene, or LDPE (No. 4); and polypropylene (No. 5) are also used for drinking containers, though less frequently.

What does the number 5 mean on the bottom of plastic containers?

Number 5 - PP - Polypropylene: Tupperware, yogurt tubs, (orange) medicine containers, and plastic caps of soda bottles.

What does the number 2 on a plastic container mean?

No. 2 is for HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Milk jugs, bleach, shampoo, etc., will often contain this number. These are heavier containers that can be recycled into toys and piping. PETE/PET and HDPE are usually accepted at recycling centers.

What does a 7 in a triangle mean?

Any plastic that does not fall under one of those six types has a 7 inside the triangle. These plastics include nylon and polycarbonate and are found in certain food containers, signs and displays, computers and electronic devices, DVDs, sunglasses, and bulletproof materials.

Is peanut butter in plastic jars toxic?

Apparently good ol' peanut butter is bad for you- but not in the way that you think. According to leading child health advocate Tamara Rubin, peanut butter from plastic jars is 'one of the most toxic foods you can purchase. ' This childhood favourite can be toxic.

How long can you keep water in plastic bottles?

Since water is a naturally occurring substance it has an indefinite shelf life, however due to the fact that plastic water bottles leach chemicals into the water overtime we recommend a 2 year shelf life for still water.

Are old plastic containers safe?

Polycarbonates get a lot of attention due to concerns over BPA, but it's important to remember that it isn't the only plastic that can leach chemicals into your food. While you're going through your plastic containers, go ahead and toss any that are scratched or damaged. Worn containers pose a higher leaching risk.

What are the worst plastics?

Do Ziploc bags have BPA?

BPA Free. SC Johnson's Ziploc^® brand Bags and Containers are BPA free. Our products are extensively evaluated for toxicity and safety and comply with applicable quality and safety regulations.

Does old Tupperware have BPA?

Since Tupperware is such a popular brand of plastic food storage containers, it is not surprising how many people have questioned whether Tupperware material contains BPA. Tupperware officially states that since 2010, they have not sold items containing BPA.

Which Tupperware is toxic?

Testing of the “Daffodil Yellow” vintage (circa 1972) Tupperware. In follow-up testing of the other product colours – she found some tested positive for mercury and cadmium– as well as lead and arsenic – all metals that are poisonous to humans.

Does bottled water have BPA?

Plastic water (and soda) bottles do not contain BPA

They don't contain BPA now and never did. The truth is, pretty much all plastic water (and soda) bottles are actually made from a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET. PET is not manufactured from BPA and does not contain BPA at all.