Things You Should Know About Plastic Containers

Many of us are trying to trying to do more for the environment. There are so many things that we can do. When we help the environment with green living, we are also helping save our own health. One of the things that we need to avoid is products that are made with certain plastics. Some plastics are manufactured with harmful ingredients, such as BPA.

There are ways to find out what your plastic containers and items are made of. First let's say you have bottled water. I happen to buy Sam's Choice Purified Drinking Water. On the lower section of the bottle you will see the recycling triangle has a number one. The numbers range from one through seven on all plastic products. These seven are listed below.

1. Polyethylene terephthalate

2. High density polyethylene

3. Polyvinyl chloride

4. Low density polyethylene

5. Polypropylene

6. Polystyrene

7. Other

First of all some of these are very safe to use, but there is information that you should know. Number two, four, and five are the safest choices because they are known to transmit no chemicals into your food. They are also easily recycled. There is also one more choice that is pretty good too. Number one is great for single use, but do not reuse these. They are porous and absorb bacteria!

There are a few of these that you should avoid. Number three is particularly bad and it is quite common because this is what cling wrap is made from. Be sure to check your out because this releases a carcinogen and also disrupts hormones. Another one that releases a carcinogen is number six; these are often takeout containers and foam cups and plates.

Number seven is both good and bad. Number seven is actually made with renewable resources. You can't recycle them, but you can easily compost them because they will break down. The bad part is that some of these contain BPA, which is linked to heart disease and obesity.

With any of these you should check out your products and see what your food is packaged in and also what storage containers you store food in are classified under. For instance I chose three products in my house right now. Great Value Canola Oil, Great Value Apple Sauce, and Sergeant's Skip-Flea & Tick Shampoo are all packaged in number one. Never reuse the bottles that your water came in because they are most likely manufactured in number one, which as I mentioned is porous and will hold bacteria. Always check your container. This is interesting to see what they are really made from. For more information please click here. For more green living tips, please click here.

National Geographic Society, "Plastic Containers Buying Guide". The Green Guide