Plastic container Buying Guide
Toxic Plastic Numbers #3,4,5,6,7 http://blog.edu-cyberpg.com/2008/04/26/Toxic+Plastic+Numbers+34567.aspx#4 LDPE (low density polyethylene): used in food storage bags and some "soft" bottles.
#5 PP (polypropylene): used in rigid containers, including some baby bottles, and some cups and bowls.According to GREEN GUIDE breakdown of plastic resin types:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/plastic-containers#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
Examples: Disposable soft drink and water bottles
#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)/
Examples: Milk jugs, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles
#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)
Examples: Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes
Number 3 Plastics #3 PVC or V (polyvinyl chloride): used in some cling wraps (especially commercial brands), some "soft" bottles
V (Vinyl) or PVC
Found in: Cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging
Harvard-educated Dr. Leo Trasande of the Mt. Sinai School of
Medicine advises consumers to avoid number 3 plastics for food and
drinks. (If you're unsure, look for the little symbol that should be
printed on the container. Some brands have left the symbols off, which
is a major problem.)
Why? Number 3 plastics may release toxic breakdown products (including pthalates) into food and drinks.
The risk is highest when containers start wearing out, are put
through the dishwasher or when they are heated (including microwaved).
PVC manufacturing can release highly toxic dioxins into the
environment, and the materials can off-gas toxic plasticizers into your
home.
#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Examples: Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags
#5 polypropylene (PP)
Examples: Cloudy plastic water bottles, yogurt cups/tubs
#6 polystyrene (PS)
Examples: Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers
#7 other (plastics invented after 1987; includes polycarbonate, or PC, and polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources as well as newer plastics labeled "BPA-Free")
Examples: Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers
What To Buy:
#2 HDPE, #4 LDPE and #5 PP: These three types of plastic are your best choices. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they're generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.
#1 PET: Fine for single use and widely accepted by municipal recyclers; avoid reusing #1 water and soda bottles, as they're hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.
PLA: plastics made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content; although you can't recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap.
Plastics to Avoid:
#3 PVC: Used frequently in cling wraps for meat, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor.
#6 PS: Polystyrene-foam cups and clear plastic take-out containers can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food.
#7 PC: The only plastic made with bisphenol A, polycarbonate is used in baby bottles, 5-gallon water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. Bisphenol A has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as heart disease and obesity.