● The Backstory
● What To Look For
● Safer Storage Products
● Plastics to Avoid
● Safer Use of Plastics for Storage
● Resources and References
The Backstory
Take a look at the shelves of packaged food items at your local grocery store and you'll notice that most
of the food we buy comes in contact with plastic. Margarine, yogurt, cream cheese and ice cream
packaged in plastic cartons; frozen dinners on plastic trays and frozen vegetables in plastic bags;
cheese, deli sandwiches and fruits and vegetables wrapped in cling wrap; juice, water and oil in plastic
bottles; even food packaged in paper is often wrapped up in plastic first. In fact, since 1976 plastic has
been the most widely used material in the United States. No wonder Newsweek chose plastic as one of
the greatest innovations of the millennium. However, not all plastics are created equal, and some are
safer to use than others, especially when it comes to food packaging and storage.
While plastic food wraps and containers play an important role in protecting us against the dangers of
foodborne illnesses, recent studies show that when certain plastics come into contact with foods, some
questionable chemicals migrate from the packaging to the foods they contain. In addition, because of
the chemicals used during the manufacturing process, plastic poses threats to our environment and to
the health of the workers who produce it.
Environmental Issues
Pollution
Considering that plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum and natural gas, it's not surprising to
know that plastic manufacturing is a major source of industrial pollution. Producing a 16-oz. #1 PET
bottle, for instance, generates more than 100 times the toxic emissions to air and water than making the
same size bottle out of glass.
The Berkeley Plastics Task Force stated in a 1996 report that the plastic industry contributed 14 percent
of the most toxic industrial releases--including styrene, benzene and trichloroethane--into the air. Other
major emissions from plastic production processes include sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides (both of
which contribute to global warming), methanol, ethylene oxide and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
Plastics Are Forever
When the plastics we throw away escape from garbage trucks or landfills, they get blown into trees and
waterways where they're eaten by animals that mistake them for food. In the North Pacific, a floating
island of plastic waste the size of Texas has accumulated, doubling in size over the past six years. Some
estimates place the load of plastic floating in that area, killing both birds and aquatic life, at 3 million
tons.
The matter is further complicated by the fact that nothing in nature, not even sunlight and oxygen, can
break apart the bonds that hold plastic together, so they linger on our planet indefinitely. Rather than
biodegrading, plastic photodegrades into dust, winding up in soil and in the air. In bodies of water, the
plastic particles become a kind of toxic sponge, absorbing other harmful chemicals such as
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the pesticide DDT. Those particles then get eaten by fish, which
wind up back on our dinner plates.
Recycling
Despite the problems with plastic, virtually all types can be recycled and used a few times before losing
integrity (when the material has become too weak to recycle any more). However, confusing municipal
recycling laws and limited access to recyclers who accept all types of plastic have kept recycling rates
low and the amount of plastic waste in landfills high--and getting higher. In 2006, a mere 6.9 percent of
plastic garbage we generated was recycled.
On a positive note, more stores are beginning to accept plastic bags for recycling, and other companies
are offering to take back used plastic products. For instance, Styrofoam packing peanuts can be taken to
any UPS store for reuse, and Stonyfield Farm accepts all its #5 PP yogurt cups and tubs back, reselling
them to Preserve, a company that manufactures toothbrushes and reusable plastic dishes from the
discarded cups.
Personal Health Issues
Dioxins
Dioxins, which are highly toxic even at low doses, are produced when #3 PVC plastics are
manufactured and incinerated. The EPA estimates that the average American's risk of contracting
cancer from dioxin exposure may be as high as one in 1,000--1,000 times higher than the government's
current "acceptable" standard of one in a million. Dioxins are also endocrine disruptors, substances that
can interfere with the body's natural hormone signals, and they can damage the immune system and
may affect reproduction and childhood development. Furthermore, dioxins build up in animal fat, and
we may be exposed to them when drinking fatty meats, whole milk or full-fat yogurt.
Phthalates
Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses and other foods sold in delis and grocery stores are wrapped in
PVC. To soften #3 PVC plastic into its flexible form, manufacturers add "plasticizers" during
production. Traces of these chemicals, known as adipates and phthalates, can leak out of PVC when it
comes in contact with foods, especially hot, fatty foods. Adipates and phthalates have been shown to
cause birth defects and damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in mice.
One phthalate, di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,
according to a 2000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) report. Phthalates are also suspected of
interfering with hormones and the reproductive development of baby boys.
Bisphenol A
Many #7 polycarbonate bottles (including baby bottles), microwave ovenware, eating utensils and
plastic coatings for metal cans are made with bisphenol A (BPA). Many studies have found that BPA
interferes with hormones, as phthalates do, and a March 1998 study in Environmental Health
Perspectives (EHP) found that BPA simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast
cancer cells.
A growing number of scientists are concluding, from animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb
raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral
problems such as hyperactivity. A January 2006 EHP study on mice indicated that BPA alters the
function of mouse pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, suggesting that the chemical may enhance
the risk of developing Type II diabetes. Finally, an early 2007 study on BPA in rats found that it led to
increased growth, suggesting that the chemical might trigger obesity.
Antimony
Not as dire a concern as BPA or phthalates, the heavy metal antimony has been found to leach out of #1
PET plastic water bottles that have been sitting on a shelf for long periods of time. High levels of
antimony can cause vomiting and diarrhea, but the amount in water from a PET bottle will likely be
low enough to not cause such effects. However, it's still a good idea to not reuse #1 PET bottles to
avoid any potential antimony exposure.
#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE) Products: Toys, bottles for milk, water, detergent,
shampoo, motor oil
#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) Products: Pipe, meat wrap, cooking oil bottles
Plastics to Avoid
#3 PVC - #3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used frequently in cling wraps for meat. However, PVC
contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and
incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Vinyl chloride, the primary
building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that also poses a threat to workers during
manufacture.
#6 PS - Extruded polystyrene (#6 PS; commonly known as Styrofoam) is used in take-out containers
and cups, and non-extruded PS is used in clear disposable takeout containers, disposable plastic cutlery
and cups. Both forms of PS can leach styrene into food; styrene is considered a possible human
carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It may also disrupt hormones or affect
reproduction.
#7 PC - #7 Polycarbonate (PC) is found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, water-cooler bottles and
the epoxy linings of tin food cans. PC is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol
A, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.
Choose instead:
#1-PETE
#2-HDPE
#4-LDPE
#5-PP
Products to Avoid:
Cups/Plates/Utensils Containers
#3 Arrow Clearview Pitcher
#6 Arrow Measuring Cups
#3 Arrow Sip-a-Mug (body is PVC, cap is PP)
#3 Arrow Sip-n-Stor cups
#5 Bodum brand plastic cutlery (thick, colored)*
#6 Chip'n Dip bowl (Ullman)
#5 Gladware containers
#7 Intellivent containers with blue lids
#6 Kingsman Plastic Cutlery (Maryland Plastic)
#3 Marvin the Martian large squeezebottle (Betras USA)
#5 Playtex Spill-Proof Cups
#5 Playtex Straw Cups
#7 Rubbermaid Clear Classics container bases*
#2 Rubbermaid Pitchers (in colors)
#5 Rubbermaid EZ Topps
#5 Rubbermaid Cereal Keeper
#5 Rubbermaid Servin' Saver
#5 Rubbermaid Ice Cube bins
#5 Rubbermaid Grip 'n Mix Bowls
#5 Rubbermaid Bowl Sets
#5 Rubbermaid Push 'n Pour Decanters
#6 All Styrofoam cups and containers
#6 Sweetheart Plastic Cutlery
#5 Tupperware bowls (all)
#5 Tupperware children's feeding lines
#5 Tupperware Crystal Wave Microwave Container
#2 Tupperware Freeze-N-Save container
#2 Tupperware ice cube tray
#2 Tupperware Ice Tups Set
#5 Tupperware Impressions line
#2 Tupperware Jel-Ring mold
#7 Tupperware Meals-in-Minutes Microsteamer base
#5 Tupperware Modular Mates
#5 Tupperware One Touch Canisters
#5 Tupperware refrigerator and freezer products (except those specified here as another plastic)
#7 Tupperware Rock N' Serve containers
#5 Ziploc containers
Food Packaging and Storage
Caution: Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other commercially-wrapped foods in delis and
grocery stores are wrapped in PVC.
#4 Glad Cling Wrap
#4 Glad-Lock bags
PVDC Glad Microwave Wrap*
#4 Hefty Baggies
#4 Hefty OneZip Slider Bags
#3 Polyvinyl Films All-Purpose Food Wrap
#3 Polyvinyl Films Freeze-tite
#3 Polyvinyl Films Stretch-tite
#3 Reynolds Wrap
#4 Saran with Cling-Plus (formerly Handi-Wrap)
PVDC Saran Classic (formerly Saran Wrap)
#4 Ziploc bags
Baby / Kids' Items
Caution: Many baby bottles are polycarbonate; however, they are typically not labeled as such and can
only be identified by calling the manufacturer.
#7 Avent Baby Bottles
#7 Avent Soft Spout Training Cups
#5 Evenflo colored Baby Bottles
#7 Evenflo Baby Bottles (clear, untinted)
#5 Evenflo Baby Bottles (opaque, pastel)
#3 Evenflo Soft Bite Spoon
#7Gerber Baby Bottles (clear only)
#3 Gerber Clear and Soft Baby Bottle Nipples*
#5 Gerber Baby Bottles (colored)
#5 Gerber's Fun Grips Spill Proof Cups
#5 Gerber 'Lil Sport Bottles Spill Proof Cups
#7 Gerber Looney Toons spill-proof cups
#7 Gerber Suzy's Zoo spill-proof cups
#5 Ideal Temp Feeding Spoons
#5 Less Mess Toddler Bowls
#5 Less Mess Toddler Spoons
#5 Stroll 'N Snack Cups
#5 Medela Baby Cups
#5 Medela Baby Bottles and feeders
#7 Playtex Cherub, Juice and Trainer Cups
#7 Playtex Baby Bottles
#4 Playtex disposable Baby Bottle Liners
#5 Sassy E-Z Grip Cups
#5 Sassy E-Z Grip First Feeding Bowls
#5 Sassy MAM Spill-Proof Cups
#7 Sassy MAM 3-Step Baby Bottles
#5 Sip-a-Bowl by Arrow Plastic
#5 Temperature Sensitive Forks and Spoons
#7 The First Years Baby Bottles
#7 The First Years Peek-a-Boo Cups
#5 The First Years Sesame Street Trainer Cups
#5 The First Years Tumble Mates (Spill-Proof and Trainer Cups)
#5 The First Years Winnie the Pooh Trainer Cups
#7 Tuppercare Baby Bottles
Water Bottles
#7 Most 5 Gallon Bottles for water coolers
#3 Appalachian Mountain (gallon size)
#4 Bell Brand Athletic Squeeze Bottles (colors)
#5 Bell Brand Athletic Squeeze Bottles (clear)
#5 Rubbermaid Chuggables bottles
#5 Rubbermaid Sipp 'N Sport bottles
Most 1-, 1.5-, 2-liter (and smaller) beverage bottles are made from #1 or #2
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: 888-422-8737 www.atsdr.cdc.gov
American Plastics Council: 800-2-HELP-90, www.americanplasticscouncil.org
American Plastics Council, "2003 National Post Consumer Plastics Recycling Report,"
www.plasticsresource.com/s_plasticsresource/pdf.asp?TP=/s_plasticsresource/docs/1700/1646.pdf
Friends of the Earth, Plastics Fact Sheet,
www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/briefings/html/20011220155157.html
National Institutes of Health, "Tenth Annual Report on Carcinogens,"
www.ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/tenth/profiles/s087dehp.pdf
Science News, "Food for Thought: What's Coming Out of Baby's Bottle?",
www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/9_4_99/food.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, November-December 2002 FDA Consumer "Plastics and the
Microwave," www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdacplas.html
Greenpeace, www.greenpeace.org
Ecology Center, "PVC-Free Future: A Review of Restrictions and PVC-Free Policies Worldwide,"
www.ecologycenter.org
Ecology Center, "1996 Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force,"
www.ecologycenter.org/plastics/report1996/report1996_toc.html
Environmental Protection Agency, "House Waste Facts,"
www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/src/plastic.htm
Environmental Protection Agency, "Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2001 Facts and
Figures," www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/pubs/msw-sum01.pdf
Our Stolen Future,"New Science: Uses of Bisphenol A,"
www.ourstolenfuture.org/newscience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm