Plastics - How to Identify and use Plastic Bottles...SAFELY?

                                                                 Plastic containers make life easier, but some of them are safer than others. While the FDA regulates plastic containers intended for use with food, the fact remains that some of the chemicals do end up in the food you eat. Consumers who wish to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals should check containers for a recycling symbol to find out what kind of plastic they contain.Plastic bottles are used for a variety of different drinks, and a bottle approved for one-time use to hold soda and a bottle for water aren't necessarily the same. To identify what sort of bottle you do have, and what the safe uses for it are, check the plastics recycling number on the bottle. 

                                                         Plastic bottles can be recyled. 

                       Plastics have been around for more than a century, but recycling programs have only been in place since the early 1980s. State-issued bottle deposit programs for the return of plastic drink containers started the plastic recycling movement as consumers returned bottles to get their deposit back

Seven Codes

1. • 
     Check the number inside the recycling symbol to see what kind of plastic it is:-
     
     

                                                        There are seven types of plastics presently in use, They each have their own identification code.
     
     Number 1 identifies plastic bottles like soft drink, single-use water bottles, sport drinks and food jars and cosmetic containers.
     
     Plastic number 2 is coded for grocery bags, margarine and butter tubs, detergent bottles and milk and juice jugs.
     
     Plastics coded number 3 include garden hoses, cable sheathing, window frames, blister packs and blood bags.
     
     Number 4 is used on heavy-duty plastic bags, dry-cleaning bags, bread wrappers, squeezable bottles and plastic food wrap.
     
     Number 5 is the code for prescription medicine bottles, cereal box liners, packing tape, drinking straws and chip bags.
     
     CD and video cases, plastic cutlery and egg cartons are plastic number 6.
     
     Baby bottles, water cooler bottles and plastic car parts are coded number 7.

   Number 1 Plastics

   • 
     Soft drink bottles are coded as plastic number 1. 
     
     

     The most common plastics that consumers use are those coded as number 1. This plastic is made of polyethylene terephthalate and is often abbreviated as PET or PETE. PET is lightweight and shatter resistant and has been extensively tested for consumer safety. PET plastic bottles have been subjected to review by the Food and Drug Administration and must conform to federal regulations.  the recycling rate for number 1 coded plastic bottles is 23 percent.

   Number 2 Plastics

   • 
     Milk jugs are coded as plastic number 2. Container of milk. 
      
     

     Bottles and containers coded with a number 2 are made of high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. Number 2 plastic bottles and food tubs are injection-molded, rigid containers. The resin of HDPE is used for non-rigid, flexible consumer uses, but bottles and containers make up more than half of all HDPE products. Number 2 bottles began replacing glass containers in the 1970s. Solid waste generated by number 2 plastics is less than 1 percent only.

   Plastic Numbers 3, 4 and 5

   • 
     Number 4 lemon and lime bottles are safe.
      
     
     

     Plastic number 3 refers to plastics that are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Frequently used in plumbing, plastic number 3 is considered toxic for ingestion and should be avoided for use in that manner.
     
     Plastic number 4 is low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. The flexible quality of number 4 is used for squeezable bottles, such as those for lemon and lime juice. Number 4 is safe for consumer use. Less than 1 percent of these plastics are recycled.
     
     Polypropylene, PP, is the plastic coded number 5. Most consumers see this code on prescription medicine bottles and containers. PP is resistant to high temperatures and is considered safe for consumption uses. For medicinal purposes, it can be tinted amber or white or left a natural color. Number 5 bottles and containers are recycled at a rate of 5 percent almost.

   Plastic Numbers 6 and 7

   • 
     A number 5 medical bottle 
     
     

     Polystyrene, or PS, is plastic coded number 6. It should be avoided as a drinking container as it may leach styrene, a possible cancer-causing agent in humans, and it may also disrupt human hormones. Less than 1 percent of plastic number 6 is recycled.
     
     Plastic number 7 is reserved for polycarbonate, known as the other PC. Although it is used for baby bottles, research shows it should be used with caution. The major concern of researchers is that leaching of the chemical Bisphenol A could occur and lead to human chromosomal damage. Bisphenol A is also found in automobile exhaust, cell phones and in water supplies, making it a universally present environmental threat, according to a May 2010 "Time" magazine article. Less than 1 percent of this plastic is recycled.

   Recycle or Reuse

   • 
     This baby bottle is probably coded as plastic number 7 and will not be recycled. 
     
     

     Depending upon the municipality where you live, you may or may not be able to recycle all of these plastics. Many areas collect only plastics coded number 1 or number 2. In areas where all plastics are collected, they are usually sorted at the recycling facility and those that aren't number 1 or 2 are sent to the landfill. Reusing a bottle labeled number 1 can extend the bottle's life and keep it out of recycling for a time.

   Safely Reusing Plastic Number 1

   •  
     PET bottles must be thoroughly washed and dried before reuse. 
     
     

     The major concern with the reuse of plastic bottles isn't that the plastic will leach out harmful chemicals, but rather that bacteria will grow in the bottles. According to PlasticsInfo.org, in plastic labeled number 1, PET plastic itself is sanitary, but when warmed it becomes susceptible to bacteria. When washing bottles for reuse, the key is to thoroughly dry the bottle before refilling it with water or another liquid.
     
     PET plastic bottles are designed and sold for one-time use so they are not shaped with a wide opening for easy cleaning. Consumers must take extra care when washing these bottles in hot soapy water, allowing enough time before refilling for the bottle to completely dry.

Safest Plastic Containers:- 

                                      1.) According to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), plastic products with the recycling symbols 1 PETE, 2 HDPE, 4 LDPE or 5 PP are safest to use with food. Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene (PETE) is commonly used to make soda cans, water bottles and peanut butter containers. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the flexible plastic used to make milk and water jugs, and low density polyethylene (LDPE) is often found in plastic wraps and bottles. Polypropylene (PP) is used to make straws, baby bottles and yogurt containers, as well as many of the foods storage containers sold in stores. 

                                     2.)  Look at the base of the plastic water bottle you want to identify. In the center of that base you should find a number surrounded by the three arrows of the recycling symbol. That number designates what type of plastic the bottle is made of.
 
                                           
                                    3.)Decide what to do with the bottle once you know what sort of plastic it's made of. Some types of plastic are meant to be reused for water and others aren't. However, all types of plastic bottle can be recycled, with the number identifying the plastic used to sort material. 

Less Safe Plastic Containers

                                                 Consumers should use caution when using containers with the recycling symbols 3 V, 6 PS and 7 OTHER, according to the IATP. Polyvinyl chloride (V), better known as PVC, is sometimes used to make cling wrap, squeeze bottles and peanut butter jars. Polystyrene (PS), or Styrofoam, is found in disposable containers and cutlery. The "OTHER" plastic is frequently polycarbonate, according to the IATP, and it can be found in baby bottles, sippy cups and some water bottles. 

Possible Health Effects

       According to the IATP, Polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and polycarbonate have all been found to leech toxic chemicals into food. The Environmental Protection Agency lists vinyl chloride as a human carcinogen. At high levels, it has been associated with central nervous system and liver damage. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workers exposed to styrene may suffer central nervous system problems, and it is a possible carcinogen. Bisphenol A (BPA) can be found in polycarbonate baby bottles and cups. It acts as estrogen, and it may cause genetic damage.

Proper Usage

1. • The FDA acknowledges that substances used to make plastic can leech into food, but it maintains that approved plastics fall within safe exposure levels. The FDA instructs consumers to use plastics properly. Use only microwave-safe containers in the microwave, and do not microwave take-out food containers or margarine tubs. Always follow any directions that come with plastic containers.

   Warning

   • Plastic containers intended for one-time use should not be reused. Worn or scratched containers may leech toxins more easily, and they should be discarded.
     
     

     Is it Bad to Reuse Plastic Drinking Bottles?

     Reusing Plastic Drinking Bottles

     • Reusing standard plastic drinking bottles found at convenience stores can reduce the negative impact the bottles have on the environment. Landfills are not well equipped to deal with the millions of bottles that find their way to the dump sites. Users simply need to clean the bottle the same they would any other reusable drinking utensil.

     Using New Bottles Every Time

     • No matter how thorough the cleaning, a plastic drinking bottle may still house germs and other bacteria that can cause illness. Using a new bottle each time is not expensive, especially if families purchase the bottles by the case. The bottles are recyclable, meaning they don't necessarily have to end up in a landfill site.

     Bottom Line

     • For the sake of personal health and environmental preservation, drinkers should be willing to rinse out plastic bottles and reuse them. A good cleaning will greatly reduce the presence of bacteria, and fewer bottles will end up in the garbage as a result.

     
     

     What Are the Dangers of Reusing Plastic Bottles in the Freezer?

     Water, sports drinks, sodas and other beverages are sold commercially in plastic bottles, leaving the average consumer with significant water bottle waste. While these bottles can be recycled, many consumers look to reuse their bottles to save money and be more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, it is not always safe to reuse water bottles.

     Freezing Water Bottles

     • Although heating plastic bottles or putting hot contents in plastic bottles can be harmful, since the heat causes chemicals such as dioxin, a toxic substance, to leach from the plastic into the bottle's contents, freezing does not have the same effect. Despite the long-standing rumors that freezing plastic bottles is also dangerous, it turns out that reusing plastic bottles in the freezer is relatively harmless. Chemicals will not be leached from the bottles if they are frozen.

     Other Considerations

     • While freezing bottles is not inherently harmful, the reuse of plastic bottles still carries some dangers. Plastic bottles can carry bacteria. Freezing the bottles will not necessarily kill the bacteria that is living in or on the plastic. To prevent bacteria contamination, thoroughly clean the plastic bottles before reusing or purchase plastic bottles that are intended for reuse. Most plastic bottles that come with beverages are not intended to be reused.

     BPA Concerns

     • A 2008 study by University of Cincinnati found that BPA, a toxic compound found in many plastics, can cause birth defects, harm fertility and adversely affect fetal and child development. Scott Belcher, who led the study, recommends that consumers refrain from putting bottles in the dishwasher, where the heat can cause the BPA to release and contaminate all dishwasher contents. It is recommended that, if you choose to reuse bottles, wash the bottles by hand with cool water.

     Creative Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles 

                   Recycling and reusing is important for the health of our planet and while taking your plastic bottles to a recycling plant is surely an effective way to eliminate waste, consider using the bottles as the basis for craft projects. Using these bottles for crafts both reduces waste, and allows you to use your creativity in a positive way.

     
     

     1. Baby Toy

        • Create a one-of-a-kind baby toy from a recycled plastic bottle. Remove the label from and boil a plastic water bottle or 12 ounce soda bottle. Once the bottle dries, fill it half way with a variety of different items that make noise; dried rice, uncooked macaroni, coins or paper clips, for example. Fill the inside of the cap with non-toxic glue and tightly twist it back onto the bottle. Cut lengths of colorful ribbon and tie them tightly around the top of the bottle. Babies will enjoy shaking the bottles to hear the noise they make, as well as feeling the ribbons.

        Vase

        • Turn a plastic bottle into a decorative flower vase. Again, thoroughly clean out and remove any labels from the bottle. Use a craft knife to remove the top portion of the bottle. Decorate the outside of the bottle with different colored acrylic paint, faux gemstones and beads. Once the decorations on the bottle have dried, fill it with water and set a bouquet of fresh flowers inside.

        Bowling Game

        • Recycle several plastic bottles and use them as bowling pins. Remove the labels from and clean out 10 plastic soda or water bottles. Use acrylic paint to decorate the outside of the bottles any way you wish and fill them 1/3 full with water to give them some weight and make the easier to stand. Once the paint on the bottles has dried, arrange them in a triangular formation on the ground. Stand a predetermined distance away from the plastic bottle pins and use a small ball to try to knock them down. Give players two chances to try to knock all of the pins down. This is an ideal game for children or a backyard party.

        Candy Dish

        • Make a goblet-shaped candy dish from an empty plastic soda or water bottle. Clean out and remove the labels from an empty plastic bottle. Use a craft knife to cut the bottom off of the bottle. Remove the lid from the bottle and run glue around the top of the opening of the bottle. Place the top of the bottle inside the bottom portion of the bottle that was cut off; the bottom portion of the bottle serves as the base of the goblet. Once the glue dries, fill the bottle with candy and set it out.

     1. Kids' Crafts

        • Your kids can use plastic bottles in a variety of craft projects, such as:
          - Spirit shakers: Pour some tempera paint in your school's colors into a plastic bottle. Swirl it around until it coats the sides, and then pour out the excess. Let dry. When the bottle is dry, toss in a few beans or plastic beads and then glue the lid closed. Now you have a fun and spirited shaker to take to your next school sporting event. Make several and share them with the crowd.
          
          - Science lesson: Teach your children about the properties of oil and water by using cooking oil, water and food coloring. Pour each of these into a plastic bottle and see how the oil and water do not mix together. You can also add glitter or other small objects; little ones will love to swish the bottle around and watch the objects float. Make sure you glue the lid shut securely if you do this so that your mess will not spill onto the floor.
          
          - Worm palace: Use a larger plastic bottle as a home for worms. Cut off the top and pour in some dirt or potting soil. Find some worms in your yard and put them in. Watch them dig their tunnels to create a worm village. Older children can research about worm needs and add special ingredients to the bottle, such as bits of lettuce leaves, for the worms to enjoy.

        Household Helpers

        • Use bottles around the house in several ways. Try these ideas:
          - Shaker bottle: Use a plastic bottle to help with your ironing. Use a metal awl and a hammer to pound a few holes into the lid of a water bottle (a nail should work too if you don't have an awl). Then put some water into the bottle and put the lid back on it. Now you have a water shaker to sprinkle water onto your wrinkled clothing before ironing.
          - Scoop it up: Cut off the bottom of your plastic bottles to make a scoop. Use it to scoop up potting soil in your garden, or even dog food out of a large bag.
          - Use larger bottles for planters. Cut off the top and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill with potting soil and seeds, and water regularly.

        Eco-friendly Uses

        • Use water bottles in these creative ways to help the environment and yourself.
          
          - Flush using less water. Fill a plastic water bottle with water and put the lid back on. Flush your toilet. When the water tank is empty, put the water bottle inside. Then the tank will only fill up halfway. You will still get a perfectly useful flush, but you will use less water. Save on your water bill and help conserve a precious resource at the same time.
          
          - Safe pest control options. Keep bugs away by cutting off the top third of a plastic two-liter bottle. Fill the bottom of the bottle with a sweet liquid, like juice. Then take the top of the bottle (that you previously cut off), invert it, and put it back inside the bottle to create a funnel into the bottle. The juice will attract insects and they will fly in, but they won't be able to fly back out. Place these in your yard to keep it bug-free.
          
          - Feed the birds. Cut two large circles, across from one another, in the sides of a plastic soda bottle. Then cut smaller holes underneath your first "doorway" holes, and slide a dowel rod through these smaller holes so that it sticks out of both sides of the bottle. This is your perch. Fill the bottom of the bottle with bird seed. Poke a hole in the lid and tie a string through it for hanging. Screw on the lid and hang the bird feeder in a tree in your yard. Do something nice for your feathered friends, and for the environment.

     Tips & Warnings

• Plastic numbered one is safe when purchased new, such as a soda bottle. However, they should not be reused after consuming the liquid, as reuse increases the toxic risk.
• If you own a plastic bottle that is one of the bad varieties, throw it away in the trash, or recycle it. Do not place it in a fire to burn, since this releases the toxins into the air, which can be inhaled.