PLASTICS

What Do The Numbers Mean? These numbers tell you which plastics are considered safe and which are not safe to use with foods which ones you can recycle There are seven numbers you will find on plastic containers inside of a triangle, reflecting seven different types of plastic available in the market The number is a resin identification code associated with the type of plastic used in the container and are found usually molded into the bottom of the plastic

Plastic #1 Polyethylene terephthalate PETE or PET Usually clear Most disposable- soda & H2O bottles Considered generally safe Known to have porous surface…allows bacteria & flavor to accumulate Best not to keep reusing Picked up by most curbside recycling programs Recycled PETE is used to make tote bags, carpet, and fiberfill material in winter clothing (Polyester)

Plastic #2 High density polyethylene HDPE Usually opaque Considered safe Low risk of leaching Picked up by most recycling programs Recycled HDPE is used to make plastic crates, plastic lumber, and fencing. Items made from this plastic include containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap bottles, detergents, and bleaches.

Plastic #3 Polyvinyl chloride PVC Tough plastic Not safe to cook food near Contains chemicals that interfere with hormonal development (BPA) Rarely accepted by recycling programs plumbing pipes, electrical wires, and floor tiles

Plastic #4 Low density polyethylene LDPE Considered safe Not often accepted by curbside recycling programs Grocery bags, squeezable bottles, bread bags, some food wraps Recycled LDPE is used to make garbage cans, lumber, and furniture

Plastic #5 Polypropylene PP Considered safe Increasingly being accepted by curbside recycling programs Yogurt cups, Tupperware, medicine bottles, straws, ketchup & syrup bottles Recycled PP is used to make ice scrapers, rakes, battery cables, and similar items that need to be durable.

Plastic #6 Polystyrene (commonly called Styrofoam) PS Increasing evidence indicating #6 leaches potentially toxic chemicals (carcinogens) Disposable coffee cups, plastic food boxes, plastic cutlery, and packing peanuts are made from PS. Difficult to recycle, most programs won’t accept it (SA accepts some types) Recycled PS is used to make many different kinds of products including insulation, license plate frames, and rulers.

Plastic #7 OTHER Polycarbonate Modern plastics from iPods to computer cases Used in baby bottles, water bottles, compact discs, and medical storage containers. Leachs BPA into hot beverages, bad for human hormones

BPA BPA= bisphenol-A You may recall there was a big scare recently over BPA plastic leaching chemicals into water bottles and baby feeding bottles, after studies showed that BPA mimics estrogen and interferes with hormone levels Almost 55x the amount of BPA is released when heated or a hot liquid is put into 93% of people test positive for BPA in their system at 10x the recommended amount Effects of BPA in the body are still not fully understood

Plastic Pollution The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year. 50% of the plastic we use, we use just once and throw away. Americans throw away 35 billion plastic water bottles every year It takes 500-1,000 years for plastic to degrade. Plastic constitutes approximately 90% of all trash floating on the ocean's surface, with 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. One million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually from plastic in our oceans.

What can you do individually to stop the pollution of plastics? Recycle anything that you can #s 1,2,4,5, and some 6s are recyclable in San Antonio Get a reusable water bottle Use reusable bags at the grocery store Use a reusable container instead of sandwich bags Refuse single use items such as straws & cuterly Look for alternatives to plastics

What can we do as a community to stop the pollution of plastics? Voice your support on plastic policies Trash bag bans Micro-bead ban Organize and take part in community clean ups Influence local leaders about policies concerning plastics Expanding recycling programs Look for new ways to recycle & clean up plastics. (Be innovative) Spread awareness