PET / PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate

 

Common uses: disposable water, juice, soda pop and other clear-colored drink bottles, cough syrup containers, and plastic food jars. 

Concerns: PET is understood to be one of the least toxic forms of plastic, [despite an urban legend (verified false by Snopes.com) that circulated via email warning people of cancer-causing chemicals leaching from water bottles left in hot cars]. PET received some bad press for containing DEHA which the EPA now no longer lists as a carcinogen. PET plastics do not contain the phthalate softeners, found in vinyl, which studies increasingly link to cancer and infertility.

Studies do show that PET bottles can leach toxic antimony, although at levels deemed safe (PDF) by the World Health Organization. And doctors advise against reusing disposable plastic water bottles because they are hard to clean and can trap bacteria.

Recycling: PET can be down-cycled where facilities exist. Most municipal recycling programs accept PETE #1 plastics.

 

 

HDPE – High Density Polyethylene

 

Common uses: shampoo and detergent bottles, milk jugs, cosmetics, motor oil, toys, and sturdy shopping bags

Concerns: HDPE is often opaque or cloudy.

Recycling: HDPE can be down-cycled where facilities exist. Many municipal recycling programs accept HDPE #2 plastics. Some recycling centers can only handle clear #2 plastics, such as milk jugs, but not colored bottles. Tubs, lids, spray pumps, buckets, films, bags, and items containing toxic chemicals such as drain cleaner, are less likely to be accepted by recyclers.

 

 

PVC / V – Polyvinyl Chloride

 Common uses: cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes

 

 

LDPE – Low Density Polyethylene

 Common uses: cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags

 

 

PP – Polypropylene

 Common uses: yogurt and other dairy cups/tubs, disposable plastic water bottles (cloudy)

 

 

PS – Polystyrene

 Common uses: disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers

 

 OTHER PLASTICS

 Generally plastics invented after 1987. There are several “okay” plastics in this category, including PLA (polylactide), plastics made  from renewable resources, and “BPA-Free” labeled plastics. Category also includes PC (polycarbonate).
 Common uses: baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers

 

Sources:
news.cnet.com