How to Identify Safe Plastic for You?

Do you know that every plastic has their own characteristic? You can identify the characteristic by checking the coding imprint (recycling triangle with a number in the center) on the bottom or the side of the container. It is very important, so you must pay attention to it.

There are 7 codes for the plastics. I am not going to explain in detail for every type of plastic, but I will write what I think is important.

The best choice for plastic container is this code:

Polypropylene. Use this type whenever you use plastic material for food container, drinking bottle and most important for baby’s drinking bottle.

The second best is this type:

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). It is used for food container. The plastics with this code can be recycled easily and good for containers which need flexibility but strong enough to be used for several times. This plastic is safe to be used as food container.

I will not recommend any other type of plastic, since they have some detrimental effects to your health.

This plastic could only be used one time. Never use this type of plastic to contain hot water. Throw away the bottles which are no longer in good condition.

V or PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). This type of plastic is very difficult to be recycled. It also has some harmful effects for your health. DEHA which come from the PVC plastic could contaminate the greasy food if you heat the plastic. PVC is dangerous for your health.

Polystyrene or mostly know as styrofoam. Polystyrene material could produce styrine into the food. Styrine is very dangerous for your brain and nerve system. Many countries have banned this plastic. Please make sure that you will never use it again.

Polycarbonate. This one is not good for your health as well. It could produce Bisphenol-A which is not a good thing for your hormone system. Avoid this plastic, always.

Short description, but I hope it would be quite useful for us.