7 Common Plastic Recycling Signs that You Should Know
"01" - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Mineral water bottles and carbonated beverage bottles are all made of this material. This material is heat resistant up to 70℃, only suitable for warm or frozen drinks, easy to deform, and dissolve harmful substances in hot liquids or when heated. Scientists found that after 10 months of use, this plastic product may release carcinogens that are toxic to humans.
Therefore, when you are done with your bottles, please throw them away and do not use them as cups or storage containers for other items.
"02" - HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Currently used in supermarkets and shopping malls, plastic bags are made of such material, can withstand 110 ℃ high temperature, marked food with plastic bags can be used to hold food.
When loaded with cleaning supplies, bath products, plastic containers, can be carefully cleaned after reuse, but these containers are not good to clean, if the original cleaning supplies remain, will become a breeding ground for bacteria. It is best not to reuse them if they are not thoroughly cleaned.
"03" - PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
There are two sources of toxic and hazardous substances that can be produced by plastic products made of this material. The first is monomolecular vinyl chloride (VCM) which is not fully polymerized during the production process. The second is the harmful substances in plasticizers.
These two substances are easily precipitated when they encounter high temperatures and oil, and toxic substances can cause cancer when they enter the human body with food. At present, containers made of this material are used less for packing food. If they are used, do not allow them to be heated.
"04" - LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
Cling film, plastic wrap, etc. are made of this material. Usually not heat-resistant, qualified PE plastic wrap will melt when the temperature exceeds 110℃, leaving behind some plastic materials that cannot be decomposed by the human body.
Besides, when you wrap food in plastic wrap and heat it, the oil in the food will easily dissolve the harmful substances in the plastic wrap. Therefore, when putting food into the microwave oven, remove the plastic wrap first.
"05" - PP (Polypropylene)
Microwave lunch box made of this material, high-temperature resistance of 130 ℃, poor transparency, this is the only plastic box can be put into the microwave, in the careful cleaning can be reused.
Need to pay special attention to some microwave lunch box, the box body material is 05 PP, but the lid is made of 06 PS (polystyrene). For safety, take off the lid before putting the container into the microwave oven.
"06" - PS (Polystyrene)
It is commonly known as foam and Styrofoam. This is the material used to make noodle bowls and foaming fast-food containers. It is heat and cold resistant, but it cannot be placed in the microwave oven to avoid the release of chemicals due to high temperatures. Also, it cannot be used to contain strong acid (such as orange juice), strong alkaline substances, because it will decompose to the body of the bad polystyrene. Therefore, you should avoid using fast food containers to pack foods that are too hot.
"07" - PC and Other
PC is a widely used material, especially in the manufacture of baby bottles and sippy cups. In recent years, milk bottles have been controversial because they contain BPA.
Experts pointed out that, theoretically, as long as the process of making PC, if BPA 100% into the plastic structure, it is said that the product is completely free of bisphenol A, with no possibility of release. However, if a small amount of BPA is not converted into the plastic structure of the PC, it may be released into food or beverages.
The higher the temperature of the residual BPA in PC, the more and faster it will be released. Therefore, PC water bottles should not be used for hot water.
It is recommended to stop using the container if it is damaged by any drop or breakage because plastic products with microscopic pits on the surface can easily trap bacteria. Therefore, for safety reasons, please avoid repeated use of aged plastic utensils.
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