Recycling Numbers

What many people don’t realize is that there are recycling numbers at the bottom of the plastic bottles. These numbers represent what kind of plastic that bottle falls under.  It also helps people determine whether that plastic is considered safe or not.  It is absolutely vital to find out whether or not the plastic you get your foods out of or store things in is safe.  Each recycling number has a particular classification to it to determine whether, relatively, it is safe or extremely dangerous and attention should be paid to that fact.

• Plastic 1 – The most common kind of plastic and can be found associated with water, peanut butter, and various household sauces.  It is generally safe. These bottles should be kept for restorage of any kind, however.
• Plastic 2 — These are associated with thicker plastics, i.e milk cartons, and soap boxes. These are relatively safe to have around the house.
• Plastic 3 – Plastics of this kind are not good to cook with.  Food wraps are the most common thing this plastic is associated with. It’s okay to wrap food with this, but heating it up will release dangerous chemicals into the food.
• Plastic 4 – It is plastic 2’s opposite.  It is safe to have and can be recycled by many curbside programs.
• Plastic 5 – Medicine bottles and syrup bottles are common here.  It is thick and not porous, making it a good plastic to have.
• Plastic 6 – Styrofoam cups.  Of all the plastics, this is perhaps one of the most dangerous, next to plastic 7.  When heated, this plastic can melt, melting into whatever is near it chemicals and inhibitors.
• Plastic 7 – Polycarboante is associated with Plastic 7 and contains high levels of BPA. No one likes to use BPA and it should be avoided at all costs.

Make no mistake about it plastics are every bit of a health risk as certain viruses and diseases.  The general public should be aware of the plastics that are in our households today because mishandling them can lead to far greater consequences.  No one wants to have that happen.  The effects can sometimes be irreversible.

Plastics have more of an effect on our environments than we think. If you have a recycling program in your neighborhood, take advantage of it.  It will be the best thing for you and your family.  Plastics are not to be messed with under any circumstance. Know what’s there and take the appropriate action when used.