I only know the numbers found on plastic containers are for recycle purposes
only. Here is a summary:
Code 1: PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate).
You’ll most commonly see this in the thin, clear plastic of bottled water (
or bottled cooking oil, peanut butter, soda, etc.). It’s appears safe for
single use, but these bottles should not be reused, refilled, or heated.
This plastic can be recycled once into new secondary products, such as
textiles, parking lot bumpers, or plastic lumber.
Code 2: HDPE (high-density polyethylene).
This is the thicker, milkier or opaque plastic found in milk and water jugs,
juice bottles, detergent, shampoo, and motor oil containers, and toys.
Unlike #1, these are safe to refill and reuse, even though they may not look
as snazzy as #1 or #7. Recyclable once into products similar to those for #
1 plastics.
Code 3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Found in bibs, mattress covers, squeeze bottles, cling wrap, some peanut
butter jars, and a few other food and detergent containers. The manufacture
of PVC releases dioxin into the environment, a potent carcinogen that
accumulates in animals and in us. It may also contain phthalates, chemicals
used, among other things, to soften plastics. Some phthalates are hormone
disruptors that have been linked to possible reproductive problems and birth
defects, and even to smaller penis size in boys. PVC workers have higher
cancer rates. May be discarded at the recycling plant. AVOID #3!
Code 4: LDPE (low-density polyethylene).
Found in soft, flexible plastics such as those used in grocery story bags,
plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags, shopping bags, and garbage bags. One of the
safer plastics – but recycle, don’t throw away. Many of these bags could
be better replaced with reusable bags, especially when shopping.
Code 5: PP (polypropylene).
Found in hard but flexible plastics, such as those used for ice cream and
yogurt containers, drinking straws, syrup bottles, salad bar containers, and
diapers. One of the safer plastics – but recycle, don’t throw away.
Code 6: PS (polystyrene).
Found in rigid plastics such as opaque plastic spoons and forks, and in
Styrofoam, such as those found in coffee cups and meat trays. These plastics
can leach styrene, a known neurotoxin with other negative health effects.
AVOID #6.
Code 7: Other (including polycarbonate, nylon, and acrylic).
This is a grab bag symbol. It includes polycarbonate, an important source of
the endocrine disruptor BPA, and found in most baby bottles. Polycarbonate
is also common in 5-gallon water bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic
cutlery, and in the lining of food and formula cans. But code 7 also
includes some of the newer, compostable green plastics, such as those made
from corn, potatoes, rice, or tapioca. (I wish they would make a code 8 for
these!) AVOID # 7, unless it is labeled as one of these new bio-based
plastics.
Whatever plastics you choose, when microwaving food or drink, try to opt for
glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic, where possible, and wax
paper instead of plastic wrap.
This year two of the largest toy retailers have announced new guidelines to
cut kids exposure to phthalates in their toys. Wal-Mart and Toys R Us (and
their Babies R Us stores) have taken the lead in requiring independent third
-party lab testing of each batch of toys imported to the US for sale in
their stores to slash kids’ risk of being exposed from their toys.
