Pharma gyan Pandit

Reuse of plastic bottles

The well-recognized “chasing arrows” symbol we see on plastic containers and products does not mean the product is recyclable. The little number inside the triangle tells the real story. Within each chasing arrows triangle, there is a number which ranges from one to seven. The purpose of the number is to identify the type of plastic used for the product, and not all plastics are recyclable or even reusable. There are numerous plastic-based products that cannot break down and cannot be recycled.

Safe coded 1, 2, 4 and 5. Avoid 3, 6 and 7plastic labelled.

CODE 1-PET OR PETE (NYLON)

It is thin, clear & use in bottles for water, cooking oil, peanut butter, soda. Studies indicate that this plastic is safe for one-time use. As a precaution, however, these bottles should not be reused or heated. This plastic can be recycled once into new secondary products such as fabric, carpet or plastic lumber. PET is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer products, and is found in most water and pop bottles, and some packaging. It is intended for single use applications; repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. PET plastic is difficult to decontaminate, and proper cleaning requires harmful chemicals. Polyethylene terephthalates may leach carcinogens.

CODE 2- HDPE (HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)

It is thick, opaque & use in Milk and water jugs, juice bottles, containers for detergent, shampoo and motor oil, and toys. Limit how often you refill containers made of HDPE. It can be recycled one time into products similar to those made of recycled Code 1 plastic. HDPE plastic is very hard-wearing and does not break down under exposure to sunlight or extremes of heating or freezing. For this reason, HDPE is used to make picnic tables, plastic lumber, waste bins, park benches, bed liners for trucks and other products which require durability and weather-resistance.

CODE 3- PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE)

It may be rigid or flexible and use in mattress covers and commercial-grade plastic wrap, as well as a few types of food and detergent containers. Avoid it, the manufacture of PVC creates dioxin, a potent carcinogen that contaminates humans, animals and the environment. PVC may also contain phthalates to soften it. These hormone disrupting chemicals have been linked to male reproductive problems and birth defects. PVC is not easily recycled, but some recycling plants may accept it. PVC is dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it can leach throughout its entire life cycle. Almost all products using PVC require virgin material for their construction; less than 1% of PVC material is recycled.

CODE 4-LDPE (LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)

It is Soft, flexible & commonly use in Grocery store bags, plastic wrap for household use and garbage bags. LDPE is one of the safer plastics, but recycle it – and limit waste by bringing reusable bags when you’re shopping. LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics, and relatively safe for use. It is not commonly recycled, however, although this is changing in many communities today as more recycling programs gear up to handle this material. When recycled, LDPE plastic is used for plastic lumber, landscaping boards, garbage can liners and floor tiles. Products made using recycled LDPE are not as hard or rigid as those made using recycled HDPE plastic.

CODE 5- PP (POLYPROPYLENE)

It is Hard but flexible & use in Ice cream and yogurt containers, drinking straws, syrup bottles, salad bar containers and diapers. PP is one of the safer plastics, but be sure to recycle wherever possible.

CODE 6- PS (POLYSTYRENE)

It is Rigid & use in coffee cups and meat trays; opaque plastic spoons and forks. Avoid it, PS can leach styrene, a known neurotoxin with other harmful health effects. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave). Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction.

CODE 7- OTHER (INCLUDING POLYCARBONATE, BIOPLASTIC AND ACRYLIC)

Code 7 is a grab bag. It includes polycarbonate, a plastic made from BPA, a harmful synthetic estrogen. Manufacturers use polycarbonate to make five-gallon water bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic cutlery or the lining of metal food cans. New plastic alternatives to polycarbonate, such as co-polyesters, are marked Code 7 as well.

This code also includes some new, compostable green plastics, such as those made from corn, potatoes, rice or tapioca. Bio-based plastics hold promise for reducing waste, but you must put them in regular trash or your city’s compost containers, not in standard recycling bins. Bio-based plastics cause huge problems if they enter the normal plastic recycling stream.