Just this morning, I turned to the bottom of my regular plastic water bottle and heaved a heavy sigh – the code says “7”.
Reading up on plastic containers over the weekend enlightened me on a few things:
1. I used to think that the higher the numbering on a plastic container, the safer to store drinking liquids or foodstuff in it. Well, it turns out that the codes (denoted by numbers one to seven within the recycling symbol, usually at the container's bottom) actually represent the seven categories of plastic used in almost all packaging and containers.
2. Plastics labelled 3, 6 and 7 leach potentially carcinogenic chemicals, namely DEHA, styrene and bisphenol A, respectively. Although a direct link to cancer or other disorders due to the leaching has yet to be established, it makes sense to err on the safer side. Alternatives such as ceramic or glass containers which do not release toxins are preferred.
3. Alternatively, use plastics labeled 2, 4, and 5 as they are non-leachers. Plastic number 1 (commonly used to store carbonated drinks and bottled water) is meant for one-time use only.
For additional info, check out the
The Green Guide’s and
Trusted.MD Network’s articles on plastic water bottles.
Bye bye to my dear but incriminated bottle, which has served me for two years or so, on standby at my workstation and recently, by my bedside.
