Know your Plastics!

The safety of food and water is very essential for our healthy life. Hence, it is important to use storage containers that are safe. Plastic is an essential component of our daily lives. It is necessary to know the kind of plastics before storing, cooking and freezing. Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) has classified different types of plastics as per the chemicals used.
The coding system does not mean it is recyclable. This also does not provide information on the toxins contained in the identified plastics or whether or not they are safe – the code simply identifies the type of plastic resin.

Any plastic marked with SPI code “1” is;

1. PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate): 

• are commonly found in bottles for beverages, medicine jars, pickles, jelly, jam, water, etc. 
• can be transparent or opaque
• has shown ‘safe for single use only‘
• does not withstand high temperature and inside cars, garages, near stoves
• chemical (brominated compounds) might migrate into the food when used for a longer time.

2. HDPE (High density polyethylene):

• are commonly used in making plastic bags (grocery), water, and juice containers, dishes, yogurt and margarine containers, cereal box liners, some medicine bottles. 
• are a thick form of polyethylene, hence provide strength, toughness and is resistant to moisture
• generally considered as a low-hazard plastic for food and drink use, but has shown to release endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride):

• soft PVC is used in packaging, cooking oil, peanut butter, squeeze bottles, cling films and children’s toys. 
• is manufactured by blending chemicals like phthalates to create toughness, strength and transparency.
• are used for packaging and are not supposed to come in contact with food. 
• phthalates present in this type of plastic is known to cause reproductive problems and birth defects. 

4. LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene):

• are used in plastic grocery bags, frozen food bags, coating for a paper milk carton, cling films, hot and cold beverage cups, sandwich bags, squeeze bottles, to store food, etc.
• the chemical bonding of LDPE gives strength, flexibility, toughness, resistance to moisture.
• considered as a safer plastic for food and drink use. But some studies have been shown to release endocrine-disrupting chemical nonylphenol.
• limit the usage, replace with reusable bags instead. 

5. PP (Polypropylene):

• Are found in drinking straws, ice-cream and yogurt containers, syrup bottles, lunch boxes, etc. 
• is known for its strength, rigidity, resistance to heat, chemicals, oil and moisture 
• one of the safest plastic, recyclable and reusable, but has shown to release additive chemicals.

6. PS-Polystyrene:

• are found in opaque spoons, fork and Styrofoam bowls/mugs/plates.
• these plastics can leach styrene, a neurotoxin, and has harmful effects.
• this is a low strength foam and recycled material is made into the packaging.

7. Other-Polycarbonate, Nylon and Acrylic:

• mostly found in baby bottles, sippy cups, clear plastic cutlery.
• it includes polycarbonate, an important source of endocrine disruptor BPA (bisphenol A).
• the symbol also includes some of the compostable green plastics which are made with tapioca, corn, potatoes or rice.
• if the product has a number 7 without mentioning the letters PC, it could be made of polycarbonate. 

Cut down your plastic usage:

• Always use stainless steel boxes/containers, glass bottles/containers to store food ingredients.
• Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastics
• Avoid disposal boxes
• Do not microwave food or drink in plastic containers, replace with ceramic mugs or glass bowls
• Carry your own non-plastic containers to the hotel for the parcel
• Carry your own SS bottles instead of purchasing bottled water