The 7 Different Types of Plastics and its Impact on Health | Infinita Labs

The 7 Types Of Plastic and What They Mean To Your Health

Anyone familiar with the Non Toxic Revolution will be aware of our stance on plastic. When it comes to things like food containers and packaging, it might be difficult to avoid them. Each of us has used a plastic bottle to hydrate at least once. But have you considered the effects of that bottle on your health and the planet?

Health and the environment both have a vested interest in our being familiar with the many plastics in use today. Can you tell me what the distinction is between type 3 and type 7 plastic? Plastics include bisphenol A (BPA), an extremely hazardous chemical that has been linked to childhood obesity, cancer, and endocrine issues. Non Toxic Revolution has compiled this reference to the 7 different kinds of plastic and what they do to our health and the environment to help you learn more about these issues.

Give this a shot: Find a plastic container; the more, the better (think your go-to tupperware or beverage of choice). The number inside the recycling symbol on the packaging, which can be found on the bottom, side, or top, will be in the range of 1 to 7. These figures can be found on any of the 299 million tons of plastic produced each year to make things like water bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, DVDs, and pretty much anything else you can think of. The number represents a resin identifier for the plastic used to make the container. Some plastics are easier to recycle than others, while others are far more difficult, and some are much less safe for the environment.

PETE or PET, is short for polyethylene terephthalate. #1 plastic is used to make the great majority of disposable containers and bottles for food and drink, and it is typically clear in color. Household cleaning product containers are another typical location for #1. Keeping this material away from heat can prevent toxins (such as the flame retardant antimony trioxide) from leaching into your beverages, so please do so. Because of the bacteria and flavor that might collect on its porous surface, old bottles shouldn’t be used again. Most curbside recycling programs will collect this type of plastic for you.

HDPE stands for “high-density polyethylene.” HDPE is commonly found in milk jugs, detergent and juice bottles, butter tubs, and even cosmetics and hygiene products. This type of plastic, which is often opaque in appearance, has a low risk of leaching and is therefore safe to use. Most recycling services will collect it. 

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. Food wrap, oil bottles, shower curtains, air mattresses, and standard plumbing pipes are all made from it. Although it is a strong material, PVC should not be heated or cooked in. The hormone-disrupting phthalates found in PVC softeners are a major health concern. Wrapped foods shouldn’t be heated, especially in the microwave. Inflatable toys, toys for infants, and so on should not include PVC (or phthalates, or BPA; read the labels). Most recycling centers won’t take this type of plastic.  

Grocery bags, some food wrappers, squeeze bottles, and bread bags are all made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The risk of injury from this material is thought to be low. The biggest environmental issue with LDPE is that it cannot be recycled through regular curbside or other recycling programs. Instead of tossing them away after one use, you may reuse them as reusable grocery or doggie bags. Naturally, one should make use of biodegradable poop bags and reusable grocery bags. If your local supermarket still uses plastic bags, you may be able to return your empty ones.  

PP stands for polypropylene. Cups for yogurt, jars for medicine and ketchup, containers for food, and even “microwave-safe” plasticware are all regularly made using it. Polypropylene won’t melt or distort in the microwave because it can withstand high temperatures. Just because something can be microwaved doesn’t make it healthy to eat. Glass containers are ideal for microwaving food, and there are even several varieties of glass that can withstand the heat. PP is a safe material that may be used in most situations except the microwave. Most municipal curbside recycling programs currently accept it.  

Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is a common material for throwaway cups, plates, and other kitchenware. Peanuts and other forms of package filler are ubiquitous. There is a mountain of evidence suggesting that this plastic, especially when heated, releases compounds that could be harmful to human health. You should stay away from #6 plastic if you can help it. It’s not easy to recycle, and only some facilities will accept it. Worse yet, it takes hundreds of years to degrade if not recycled.

This catch-all category includes not just bioplastics but also potentially other plastics and any other novel plastics that have yet to be identified.  You’re taking a chance if you use plastic in this setting since you have no idea what might be lurking inside. The very hazardous bisphenol A (BPA) is included in polycarbonate. Baby bottles, water bottles, sports gear, dental and medical gadgets, music CDs and DVDs, and computer and technology components are only some of the manufactured goods. Throw away anything connected to food or drink that has been found to contain bisphenol A. The majority of curbside recycling services do not take #7 plastic because of its difficulty to recycle.

Although avoiding plastic is strongly advised, doing so may be challenging in today’s throwaway culture. Remember which ones are safer if you plan on using them. Briefly, plastics in categories 2, 4, and 5 are accepted as safe for most uses. Even if they say “microwave-safe” on the packaging, you should still use caution. Plastics numbered 1, 3, 6, and 7 should be used with caution, especially near consumables. Plastic No. 1 is the least bad of the bunch, but it should be kept in the fridge and used only once. 

Although “safe” plastics do exist, they should be avoided whenever feasible. Glass, metal, bamboo, and other reusable bodily and environmentally friendly materials are preferable if you care about your health and the health of the planet.

Video 01: What are the Different Types of Plastics? | 7 Types of Plastic and Categories