Plastic Containers: What You Need to Know

Along with the many joys that are associated with cooking, baking and parties comes a lurking environmental problem: Toxic chemicals in everyday plastics. Plastics that seem to be everywhere in our midst — in the packaging of toys, the toys themselves, our food packaging, in our leftover storage containers, in plastic wrap, in water bottles — and the list goes on.

Many valid health concerns have been raised about poisonous chemicals present in our everyday plastics, and the headlines about these toxins leaching into our food are frightening. A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found, for instance, that food containers labeled as “microwave safe” leached Bisphenol A (BPA) when heated.

Just this fall, a scientific advisory panel set up specifically to review the Food and Drug Administration’s assessment of BPA, a plastic additive, concluded that the agency had ignored scientific evidence and used flawed methods when determining that it was safe.

The FDA had long said that the plastic, widely used in making clear plastic polycarbonate baby bottles and in the epoxy lining of aluminum food cans, was not harmful to the public. But the panel of scientists from government and academic circles concluded that the FDA did not take into consideration the many studies that have linked the plastic to prostate cancer, diabetes and other major health problems, according to a Washington Post report.

With headlines like these, no doubt many people are mistrustful about plastics and their labeling. The findings raise many questions: Are the plastic containers that our food comes in leaching chemicals into our systems as they are frozen or cooked? What about storage containers being dishwasher and microwave safe; can they be heated up at all? And when I’m ready to toss plastics, where do they go? Do they get recycled?

These questions are legitimate. But slowdown. No need to panic. There are ways to decode the current numbering system used to label plastics, and experts with advice on how to safely use plastics.

Look for BPA-free

“The measured amounts of chemicals found in humans derived from plastics is found to be well below levels considered to be harmful,” says Steve Russell, the Managing Director of the Plastics Division of The American Chemistry Council. “Evidence shows it (chemicals in plastics) to be safe, but, should government change their stance, then we make changes and comply.”

The American Chemistry Council, founded in 1872, represents the many companies that make plastic products. The ACC’s primary concern is to research and steer initiatives that serve communities and customers, and an extensive list of member companies follow their guidelines and also meet federal regulations.

Many of these companies now offer BPA-free products and provide information on what toxins (if any) are in their plastics.

Rubbermaid and Tupperware, two popular plastics manufacturers in the market, are both a part of the American Chemistry Council.

Rubbermaid provides extensive listings of their products that contain BPA, as well as lists of those that are BPA-free, so buyers can make their own decisions. (The number of BPA-free products, like those pictured, left, exceed those with BPA. The bowls pictured at the top of the story contain BPA.)

Tupperware has taken an aggressive response to market concerns about BPA and also produced a line of BPA-Free products that are listed on their site.

Still, it wasn’t the ACC that sounded the alarm about BPA and brought about all this transparency, but a consortium of health watch groups. Early in 2008, the Environmental Health Fund called for a moratorium on using the plastic in baby products after studies showed that heating polycarbonate plastic caused it to release BPA into the food or liquid being contained. As reported in US News & World Report, BPA can affect the delicate hormonal systems of developing babies and children, with studies linking it to the feminization of boys and a potential higher risk of breast cancer for girls.

“People are deeply concerned about plastics leaching into their food and the many risks to children,” says Kathleen Schuler, a Senior Policy Analyst for the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy.

“We focus on children and adults and children in childbirth stage, (because) chemicals are passed through to infants. And we focus a lot on children because they are most vulnerable,” Schuler said.

The problem, she explains, has been that the government-approved “safe” levels of BPA fail to take into account multiple exposures to a chemical, and therefore fall short of being as protective as needed.

“What is the exposure level from a baby bottle? This is what the FDA asks and then concludes that they (babies) will get this much exposure so therefore it’s safe. What regulation does not take into account is the other exposures that could be in breast milk, or water, or in the many different exposures,” she said.

And its the cumulative exposure that matters, she explained. That’s what can raise a child’s risk of developmental disorders, birth defects, cancer or any number of health effects linked to chemicals found in plastics such as BPA.

Other plastics of concern include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is considered harmful when burned and also can contain phthalates, a plastic softener that’s also been shown to disrupt the endocrine system; and polystyrene, which has been linked to certain cancers for workers with extensive exposure to it, according to the Ecology Center’s compendium of dangers in plastics. Both PVC and polystyrene (styrofoam) are non-biodegradable and generally not recyclable, taking a heavy toll on the natural environment.

“Is all the concern necessary or unnecessary?” asks Schuler, echoing the core question. Yes, she says, within reason.

“Parents shouldn’t have to go into a store and worry about buying a baby bottle for their children,” she said.

In fact, these days, parents can choose BPA-free bottles from major manufacturers like Playtex or newer companies like Think Baby whose focus is on making baby bottles and tot dinnerware that is free of BPA, phthalates, lead and other toxins. (They’re available online, at Whole Foods Markets and Target stores.)

Schuler says the country must work harder to get plastic pollution in our landfills and water systems, and thus reduce ambient exposure to their component chemicals. Meanwhile, people should choose alternative products, like stainless steel water bottles, glass baby bottles and other BPA-free products.

Schuler, who has authored the Smarts Plastics Guide at The Institute (updating it in September 2008) stands on the side of caution where plastics are concerned.

Decoding plastics, by the numbers

Along with switching to glass and steel products and reducing the amount of plastic disposables you buy, you can do your part to reduce plastic proliferation and leaching issues by learning which plastics are recyclable.

To do that you must know how to decode those plastic numbers on the bottom of containers, from soda and shampoo bottles to food “clamshells” and other plastic receptacles. And you may have to contact your city or waste collection service to see what plastics are being collected. Most recycle plastics #1 and #2, but some municipalities have expanded to include others.

Here’s the rundown on those triangles with tiny numbers:

# 1 — PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner and peanut butter containers. Highly recyclable.

# 2 — HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles, and some plastic bags. Highly recyclable.

# 3 — PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter containers, and detergent and window cleaner bottles. According to Schuler’s Smart Guide, PVC is “The Poison Plastic,” which stands for polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl as well as PVC. It poses substantial risks to the environment and to humans and is considered to be the least recyclable of all the plastic containers.

# 4 — LDPE: Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps, Ziplock bags and some bottles.

# 5 -- PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt and butter containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles. Problematic for recyclers because it has different melting points than #1 and #2 plastics. More than any other, these butter and yogurt containers foul the stream of recyclables when people throw them in the blue bin.

# 6 — PS: Polystyrene, used in styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.

# 7 — Other: This is a catch-all category for plastics that don’t fit into the #1-6 categories. It includes polycarbonate, the plastic made with BPA and until recently used in an array of baby bottles, sport bottles and other products where makers wanted a hard, clear plastic. It remains as an ingredient in the linings of most canned food products, with the exception of some Eden brand products.
The category also includes bio-based plastics, co-polyester, acrylic, polyamide and plastic mixtures like styrene-acrylo-nitrile resin (SAN).

If no symbols are represented on packaging, call the manufacturer’s question/comment line, usually a toll-free 800 number listed on the package, to find out its components. If you can’t call, and neither symbol is present, then simply pass on the purchase — it’s better to be safe!

A few other tips:

When deciphering plastic triangle codes, know that numbers 1,2,4 and 5 are the safest for food storage. Stainless steel and glass are always smarter green alternatives, but at the current time, those plastic codes are considered safest among plastics.
Avoid numbers 3, 6, and 7. Don’t use these for storage because of their chemical content.
Make sure glass or ceramic containers are free of metallic paint.
Don’t be fooled by “microwave safe;” this labeling does not guarantee that there’s not leaching of chemicals taking place when placed inside the microwave. It is becoming the general consensus by environmentalists to NOT microwave ANY plastic containers. That’s right. Chemicals are more likely to leach out when plastic is heated.
Cover foods with something other than plastic wrap. It is highly recommended that you cover foods in the microwave to prevent splattering with wax paper or another ceramic or glass plate. If you do use plastic wrap, then make sure it doesn’t touch the food. (Since this is next to impossible, you might want to just bypass the plastic wrap being used in the microwave. No need to take the risks.)
Avoid putting hot foods in plastic containers. You need to let your leftovers cool off before storing them in plastic because heat will increase the chemical leaching opportunities.
Dispose of worn out plastic containers – if their surface is scratched and worn down — this can also cause chemical leaching.
Do not wash plastics with harsh chemicals because this can cause more leaching. Even dishwashers pose a hazard; avoid putting your plastics in the heat of the washer and avoid leaching risks.

You might want to reuse some plastics, where practical. The American Chemistry Council has written up a helpful “Deck the Halls With Less Waste: A holiday ‘how-to’ guide for plastic reuse and recycling;”

Finally, about those plastic grocery bags. If you’ve accumulated them and don’t know where to take them for recycling, check this website. Keep in mind when dropping off bags that yours are clean and dry, and be sure to remove your receipts!

Another great source for plastics information is The Center for Health, Environment and Justice, based in Falls Church, VA. They have created an extensive list of products, with manufacturers named along with each company’s website listed on every plastic product imaginable – from pacifiers to laptops. This is an extraordinary list of information on where to buy organic and sustainable products in the marketplace; plastic and non-plastic.