Comments on: What Do The Plastic Recycling Numbers Mean?

By: bre

bre — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:04:07 +0000

Thank you so much. You really helped me with my science project.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:53:16 +0000

The company I work for is contracted with a company the recycles horticultural plastics, particularly #’s 2, 5, and 6. When I go there I find it amazing the millions and millions of tons of plastic being recycled there. All of this being reused and kept out of our landfills. Now if we could just get the water bottles under control.

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:26:51 +0000

Look into Poly-Wood—a wood-like material made from recycled plastic that looks great. It’s often used for outdoor furniture.

By: Nicolas Hogan

Nicolas Hogan — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:26:48 +0000

thanks for all the information on plastics, it came in very handy,
also, what plastic would you recommend for a plastic based material that is sustainable to furniture?

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:49:18 +0000

I have lots of Tupperware from 20+ years back. Does it have BPA in it? Also, I have some acrylic type plastic glasses made in the USA, but no numbers on the bottom and doesn’t state BPA free – is it? I have trying to buy everything BPA free, phthalate, propylene, paraben, etc… free everything from containers to products that we use. Also, the Handy Plastic wraps (the stick and seal wraps) – are they BPA free? I never use plastic coverings over foods when heating them up – only paper towels over them. I normally don’t like using my microwave either to cook foods. When cooking foods in the oven, I usually cover with foil. In the refrigerator, I cover some foods with plastic wrap (like watermelon, canteloupe, etc…) – is this safe? Lastly, are the Zip-Loc bags BPA free and safe to store food(s) in within the refrigerator?

I’m trying to do everything as “green” and “organic” as possible. I am now getting everything BPA free and using glass and stainless. I’m having to throw out all the other that isn’t the above!

Thanks so much for any assistance in answering these questions for a safe mind and body!

By: Scot Van Airsdale

Scot Van Airsdale — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:03:37 +0000

Please do more investigating into the recyclability of EPS, or Styrofoam, you are dead wrong on this matter. There are numbers of recycling companies that will take this material in fo recylcing. My company can’t get enough of this, as we re-use it in many of the blocks that we manufacture. There is no reason to, and people should not landfill this material!

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:53:36 +0000

Thank you, glad it was helpful to you! :)

By: Saving the Earth

Saving the Earth — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:27:16 +0000

I’ve always been curious about this stuff, and I’m aiming to become a green engineer. This article really helped with “homework” from my volunteer job this summer. Thanks!

By: Saving the Earth

Saving the Earth — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:26:55 +0000

I’ve always been a curious about this stuff, and I’m aiming to become a green engineer. This article really helped with “homework” from my volenteer job this summer. Thanks!

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:57:36 +0000

Thank you very much!! This helped me very much!!!
Thanks again

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:51:57 +0000

use a glass bottle. :)

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:51:10 +0000

You’re welcome, and I appreciate the good mention on your blog. :)

By: tracy

tracy — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:04:43 +0000

Thank you SO much for the post. I quoted you a LOT (and referenced this site repeatedly!) on my blog – I’m doing posts on detox – in various ways – mainly removing toxins that we really don’t know about that are in our midst. This is an extremely informative and concise post – I thank you SO much for putting this together – it is information that needs to be shared!!

Thanks again ~

By: risa

risa — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:48:30 +0000

this is very informative post, thank you so much. But I get used to heating my baby’s bottle to exterminate the bacteria in it. What do you think, is it safe ?

By: plastic(s) « Making Art with Fabric

plastic(s) « Making Art with Fabric — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 05:40:00 +0000

[...] many plastics i’m dealing with – i got the recycle numbers off the plastics and checked here for what they [...]

By: Dolly

Dolly — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:38:09 +0000

Hello there,
I’m from the other side of the globe and got this from my brother. I’m a Tupperware Brands loyal customer and have been using them for years. I noticed that their water bottles do have the number indication but not the food storage containers. It only have the label (print) of a food/drink icon/symbol. Do you have any information on it or on Tupperware containers?

Thank you – from Malaysia.

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:19:09 +0000

I avoid plastic food containers easily as I go with Pyrex. But what about the fact that all juicers are made of hard plastic? How about Philips or other European brands of juicers?

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:36:24 +0000

Heather, there is no knowing what kind of plastic it is without the number. If I were to guess, I’d say it might be 7…but #7 is a catch all for all kinds of plastics..some of which are safe, some not. One time I looked up the manufacturer of a plastic container without a number on Google and found a watchdog type site that listed the product and its number. You might want to try that, or writing to the manufacturer directly.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:08:33 +0000

What about the plastic products that do not have a recyling number on them? I have a few children’s plates and bowls that are of particular concern to me. Are they safe? Can they be recycled even without a symbol? Great article – thanks for the information!

By: Joe Barrios

Joe Barrios — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:51:04 +0000

Thanks Crystal–I really appreciate the comment! Definitely agreed that Pyrex and other glass containers are the preferable way to go.