Plastic is everywhere. When you look around from your home, how many plastic products are there around to draw attention to? From food containers and household utensils to bags, children's toys, shower curtains, cosmetic packaging and water bottles, it's alarming to realize that plastic has become an indispensable tool in everyday life, especially when it comes to safety.

有關塑料的消息一直困擾著公共安全，有些塑料對環境友好，可能對孩子們是安全的，而另一些則含有有害化學物質，并在制造過程中造成危險污染。人們被告知要回收塑料瓶和容器，但是如果我們將其扔掉，實際上會對塑料產生什么影響？

To understand where these bottles end up, it is important to explore their origins. The plastic inside them was formed by chemically bonding oil and gas molecules together to make monomers. These monomers are in turn bonded into long polymer chains to make millions of grains of plastic.

These pellets are melted down in a manufacturing plant and then remade into molds to produce the elastic material. Machines fill the bottles, which are then packaged, transported, purchased, opened, consumed and unceremoniously thrown away. As if by magic, the bottle is ready to be reborn as something entirely new.

Avoiding plastics is impossible in today's modern age, but you can look for plastics that are safer for your family and the environment. In an effort to be healthier, many of us have emphasized the importance of carrying a water bottle with us. People buy bottled water for a variety of reasons. Convenience, fashion, taste, etc. But how much bottled water plastic do you know is safe for you?

What does the plastic recycling symbol mean?

Have you ever considered logos with numbers or recycling symbols on the bottom of plastic bottles and containers? You should. They tell you what type of plastic the product is made of. This is the key to being a better recycler because not all plastics are created equal. Therefore, the more you know about plastics, the safer you are for your family and the environment.

Some are safer than others, while the use of all plastics should be limited as much as possible. Now is the time to learn more about the various plastics you use, drink or eat on a daily basis and how they affect not only you, your family, but also the environment.

Numbers on the back of plastic water bottles

Each plastic container or bottle has a recycling symbol from 1 to 7 inside a triangle. You may not think of these symbols, but they can actually provide a great deal of information about the toxic chemicals used in plastics, the biodegradability of plastics, the potential for plastic leaching, and the safety of plastics.

If you've been worried, knowing the differences between plastic types will help you make better decisions when choosing and recycling plastics. Below is information about the various recycling symbols and numbers. How do you know which plastic is safe for you? Find out here:

Plastic #1 - PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottlesInvented in the United States in 1973 by DuPont engineer Nathaniel Wyeth and by the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle. It was the first plastic bottle capable of withstanding the pressure of carbonated liquids.

PET or PETE is commonly recycled into handbags, furniture, carpets, paneling, fibers and shakes. It is used in the manufacture of bottled water, juices, soft drinks, mouthwash, sports drinks, and containers for condiments such as salad dressings, jellies, ketchups and jams. Polyethylene terephthalate is considered safe, but can actually leach the toxic metal antimony.

Plastic #1 is for single use only. As a precautionary measure, these bottles should not be reused or heated and should only be recycled for reuse in new secondary products such as fabrics, carpeting or plastic lumber. Some studies have found levels of antimony, a toxic chemical, released from water bottles left in heat sources for extended periods of time. Even if PETE does not contain BPA or phthalates, always make sure your water bottle does not abuse the temperature.

Plastic #2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

It is considered a low-hazard plastic with a low risk of leaching.No. 2 plastic is the most commonly recycled plastic and recycling the plastic for reuse is a relatively simple and cost-effective method. This type of plastic is very abrasion-resistant and will not break down in direct sunlight or extreme heating or freezing conditions.

It is used in the manufacture of picnic tables, plastic planks, park benches, trash bins, truck bed covers and other products that require weather resistance and durability. Products made from HDPE are reusable and recyclable, such as rigid plastics used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, children's toys, and some plastic bags.

Some studies have shown that it can leach the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol (which is added to HDPE as a stabilizer), especially when exposed to UV rays (e.g., sunlight) and other stabilizer chemicals that may have estrogen-mimicking activity.

Plastic #3 - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Toxic chemicals are found in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a popular thermoplastic with a high chlorine content of up to 57%. A white, odorless and solid plastic, it is brittle and can be found on the market in the form of pellets or white powder. It is usually available in powder form and its high resistance to oxidation and degradation allows it to be stored for long periods of time.

PVS plastic can be found in flavor bottles, teething rings, toys, shower curtains, window cleaners and detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, wire sheathing, medical equipment, siding, windows, and pipes. This plastic carries the risk of releasing toxic breakdown products such as phthalates into food and beverages, and the manufacture of PVC is known to release highly toxic dioxins into the environment.

Dioxins are formed when PVC is burned through waste incineration, automobile or home fires. Dioxins are known human carcinogens and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are considered to be among the most toxic chemicals.

Plastic #4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from petroleum and can be found translucent or opaque. It is soft, tough but fragile and is considered less toxic than other plastics and relatively safe to use. However, it is not usually recycled, and this is changing in many communities today as more and more recycling programs are prepared to dispose of this material.LDPE plastic is used in recycling for plastic lumber, landscaping panels, garbage can liners, and floor tiles.

Products made with LDPE plastic can be reused, but are not always recyclable. Contact your local collection service provider to find out if they accept LDPE plastic items for recycling.LDPE is found in juice and milk cartons (as a waterproof inner and outer layer), most plastic grocery bags, and certain packaging materials. grocery store bags, household cling wrap and garbage bags.LDPE is one of the safer plastics to use, but by using reusable bags, it can be recycled and waste can be reduced, especially when you shop for things like groceries.

This is usually found in shrink wrap, dry cleaning garment bags, squeezable bottles and other types of plastic bags used for packaging, in fact, most plastic grocery bags used in most stores today are made from LDPE plastic. In addition, certain clothing and furniture use this type of plastic.

Plastic 5: Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is used for similar purposes as polyethylene, but is usually harder and more heat resistant. It is often used for containers filled with hot food and has a simple chemical structure (many methyl groups of CH3 - one carbon and three hydrogen molecules) that makes it very soft.
Food containers for ketchup, yogurt, cheese, margarine, syrups, take-out, pharmaceutical containers, straws, bottle caps, Rubbermaid products and other opaque plastic containers (including milk bottles) are made from polypropylene (PP). The plastic is also used in a variety of applications such as disposable diapers and pads, thermal undershirts, appliance parts, and many automotive parts (bumpers, carpets, fixtures).
PP is considered one of the safer plastics, but make sure you recycle it whenever possible. It is relatively stable, although it has been shown to leach plastic additives such as the stabilizer oleamide. PP labware is often considered a safe plastic for use in food and beverages when used in scientific experiments (PP1), and an earlier study suggested that heated PP may be associated with occupational asthma related to worker exposure in PP plants (PP2). This type of plastic is microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe, and another better option is to use glass containers to heat food and wash the plastic by hand rather than using a dishwasher.

Plastic #6 - PS (Polystyrene)

Polystyrene (PS) is a petroleum-based plastic that can be both hard and used as polystyrene foam because polystyrene is weak base with its ultra-lightweight structure, breaks down easily, and is readily dispersed throughout the natural environment. Large numbers of marine species have ingested this plastic with incalculable consequences for their health. For polystyrene products, recycling is rarely applicable.
Egg containers made from polystyrene foam, disposable cups and bowls, takeaway food packaging, peanut packaging, bicycle helmets - these are all example products made from polystyrene, including disposable cutlery and razors, CD and DVD cases. Polystyrene is known to leach, which can seriously damage your nervous system and has been linked to cancer in food. Using #6 plastic for hot food and beverages, such as hot coffee in a polystyrene cup, is probably the worst idea ever.
Prolonged exposure to small amounts of styrene can cause neurotoxicity as EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified styrene as a probable human carcinogen. such as fatigue, nervousness, sleep difficulties, hematology; low platelet and hemoglobin values with cytogenetic properties; chromosomal and lymphatic abnormalities, and carcinogenic effects. To avoid polystyrene contamination, package restaurant leftovers in their own glass or stainless steel containers. And it's best to avoid polystyrene Styrofoam cups or plates in favor of stainless steel, glass, or bamboo products, and you can bring your own silverware to fast-food restaurants instead of using plastic stores.

Plastics 7 - Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)

Plastic #7 is also known by a variety of trade names, including Lexan, Makrolon, and Makroclear. it is characterized by ease of molding, temperature resistance, stiffness, strength, optical clarity, and it is estimated that more than 300 million tons of plastics are produced worldwide, and that nearly all of them are made from petroleum.

Plastic #7 can be found in sunglasses, iPod cases, computer cases, nylon, 3 and 5 gallon water bottles as well as bulletproof materials that are then recycled into plastic wood and other custom products. Early life exposure to bisphenol compounds in utero is a major concern, which can lead to chromosomal errors in the developing fetus, resulting in spontaneous abortion and genetic damage. However, the evidence is also very strong that these chemicals also affect adults and children, leading to decreased sperm quality, early puberty, stimulation of breast development, reproductive cycle disruption and ovarian dysfunction, cancer and heart disease. Other health problems.