Plastic

Plastic (By: Priscilla Velez)

Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials due to its light weight, strength, and its ability to not break easily. As a result of such ideal characteristics, plastic is used for a variety of things, such as food and drink packaging, toys, and furniture. Plastic also provides us with accessibility. It’s important that people are aware of the different types of plastic, their respectable health/environmental effects, and their capability of being recycled.

Types of Plastic: (note that there are seven types of plastics)

Type of Plastic:	ID:	Uses:	Health/Environmental Effects: (if any)	Recyclable?
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) *most common	1	2-liter soda bottles, single-use water bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic bags, etc	Relatively safe, only with first use. When reused, breaks down and seeps into beverages. Releases toxin DEHA.	Yes
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	2	Detergent bottles, milk jugs, bottle caps, yogurt cups, etc	Relatively safe. But, limit amount of times reused.	Yes
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	3	Plastic pipes, shower curtains, food containers, plastic wraps, etc	Inhalation of large amounts may affect CNS and may cause dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness. Contains doxin and phthalates	Moderately
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)	4	Plastic film, grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, food storage containers, etc	Safe; highly resistant to breakdown; research has proven it does not leach carcinogens	Moderately
Polypropylene (PP)	5	Bottle caps, food containers, drinking straws, etc	SAFE: not a carcinogen, not an environmental toxin, and not bioaccumulative. (Ideal for reusable bags and food and drink storage)	Yes
Polystyrene (PS) *styrofoam	6	Packing pellets, cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, etc	Not safe; leaches the toxin Styrene. Also leaches other toxic chemicals that threaten human health and reproductive systems. Possible carcinogen. Responsible for causing animals to choke and also clogs their digestive system.	Moderately
Other (O) - all other plastics *Usually Polycarbonate (PC)	7	Baby bottles, sippy cups, water cooler bottles, etc	Not safe; contains BPA	No

Plastic Chemicals:

• DEHA: Released from PET when PET breaks down. Causes liver problems and reproductive difficulties. Is a carcinogen.
• Doxin: Found in PVC. Is a carcinogen.
• Phthalates: Found in PVC. Disrupts hormones, causes male reproductive problems, and leads to birth defects.
• Styrene: Found in PS. Causes irritation in upper respiratory tract, eye, and skin. Chronic exposure may affect the central nervous system and also causes depression, headaches, fatigue, and weakened. Also has minor effects on kidney function.
• Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in PC. Is an xenoestrogen, meaning that it is an endocrine disruptor. BPA not only affects hormone levels, but also causes cancer and heart disease. A study showed that 93% of people tested had detectable levels of BPA in their urine.

REMINDER:

Plastics 2, 4, and 5 are the safest.

Plastic 1 is safe, but should be avoided.

AVOID plastics 3, 6, and 7