Steer clear of polycarbonate (PC #7) to avoid bisphenol-A (BPA). Polycarbonate is a clear hard plastic used in some reusable water bottles, baby bottles, commercial water jugs, and kitchen appliances like automatic coffee makers and food processors. Instead, choose glass or unlined stainless steel for drink containers.
Plastic recycling codes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & many #7 items are BPA-free. When it comes to plastic tableware , only one type of #7 plastic contains BPA – that's polycarbonate plastic.
Packaging will confirm that this #7 plastic is a PLA plastic, and is safe to use. Polycarbonate is a clear, rigid plastic, and it's marked with #7 PC. It's not recyclable, and it contains BPA (Bisphenol A). It's the baddie of the #7s.
If you see 7, you won't be able to determine whether it has BPA or not, as 7 is considered the “catch all” category that all other plastic resins are grouped under. If you know the plastic bottle is made of PVC materials, it will have BPA.
Rigid #7 plastic containers such as bottles, jars, tubs and cups may be recyclable and belong under the blue lid of a split recycling cart or in a larger cart or bin labeled “Containers Only.” They must be empty and should be scraped/rinsed if possible. Lids can be left on. Removed lids belong in the garbage.
While some plastics are reusable or recyclable, packaging and thicker plastic items are not. Plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, depending on the material's structure and environmental factors such as sunlight exposure.
PS, polystyrene, Styrofoam, #7 is not safe for the microwave. Most take out containers and clamshells are made of foam for its insulation properties. They keep food warm during transport so you don't have to reheat them. Be sure to put your food on a plate or other safe container before zapping them in the microwave.
Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
7: Other. Any type of plastic that doesn't fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading. Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can't easily be recycled.
You already know that “BPA” (bisphenol A) is bad for your children (and everyone else). You're probably looking for “BPA-Free” lunch boxes and water bottles. But "BPA-Free" doesn't necessarily mean safe. Science shows that some BPA-Free plastic is made of BPA substitutes that are just as harmful as BPA.
This recycling logo also stands for polycarbonate (PC) which contains highly dangerous BPA (Bisphenol A). Try to avoid products with the PC label. Recycle number 7 can be found on these items: Sport bottles and equipment.
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): It is a type of plastic that does not release any chemicals into the water, one of the safest that exists, so there is no danger in its reuse. PP (Polypropylene): Like the containers marked with HDPE, they are for reuse.
Number 7 plastics are a myriad of materials, most commonly Polycarbonate (PC) that contains Bisphenol A (BPA). Baby bottles, car parts and sunglasses are common examples of other plastics. Not every number 7 plastic can be recycled or reused so it's important to check your local council's policy for this type.
Clear and hard plastics in a variety of colors are likely to be polycarbonate if they have the number 7 on them. Not known to contain BPa or phthalates.
Items with the numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are considered the safest plastics for use with foods or around infants and children. It is best to avoid plastics with the recycling numbers 3, 6 or 7. These are also the plastics which are difficult to recycle.
When selecting BPA-free plastics, avoid the recycling symbols 3 and 7, as those items may contain the chemical. Another safety measure is to prevent chemical leaching by keeping products away from extreme heat like ovens, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, etc.
Plastic number 7 has a wide range of plastics with many different characteristics. It includes recyclable, non-recyclable, mixed plastics, and biodegradable plastics. Some examples are polycarbonates, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, melamine, and nylon.
Is Bisphenol A banned in the European Union? The EU has prohibited the use of BPA in the manufacture of infant feeding bottles and similar products. Additionally, it limits the amount of BPA allowed to leach into food from plastic food contact materials, varnishes and coatings to 0.05 mg/kg.
BPA is absorbed readily when ingested, but the liver quickly metabolizes the chemical. It is excreted in the urine within 24 hours and does not accumulate in the body. In other words, if someone had a single exposure, it would be entirely gone from the body after a day.
In general, avoid plastics with the numbers 1, 3, 6 or 7 on them. Safer options will be labeled 2, 4 and 5. It's a bad idea to heat food in plastic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), microwaving food is generally safe.
Can you put hot water in a plastic bottle? The short answer is: no, you shouldn't. Because plastic bottles contain the chemical polyethylene, they will dissolve and decompose toxins if exposed to hot water for a long time. These harmful substances are harmful to the human body.
The most reliable way to check whether an item is BPA-free is to consult the plastic identification code number — usually stamped on the bottom of the container. There are seven categories, where numbers 1 to 6 are free of BPA. This means that only those printed with the number 7 will contain the chemical.
