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7 recycling codes

This makes you believe that every type of plastic can be recycled…

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Plastic dominates our lives today.

It’s extremely cheap, easy to produce and very durable. However, extremely harmful chemicals are usually used in plastic production.

With the so-called recycling codes, you can find out what is contained in the individual plastic packaging. You will often find these symbols on the underside of bottles and packaging material. Incidentally, the recycling codes do not mean that all these products can be recycled. So try to avoid plastic as much as possible. The following overview also includes plastics that do not pose a direct health risk to humans. Nevertheless, think about our environment in everything you do. So less plastic is better.

 

“Plastic will be the main ingredient of all our grandchildren’s recipes.”.

– Anthony T. Hincks

Recycling numbers / recycling codes:

PET – polyethylene terephthalate

STATUS: TO AVOID WHILE POSSIBLE

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic or a form of plastic from the polyester family. It consists of 100% crude oil or natural gas and is one of the most common everyday plastics. PET accounts for around 6% of the total volume of plastics produced and is one of the most important thermoplastics. The main application of PET is the production of blow-molded bottles. These are made from molded, injection-molded PET blanks and produced as disposable bottles.

Dangers

  • Frequent use can lead to heavy bacterial growth.
  • This material can also release heavy metals and other chemicals. And every drink in the bottle washes these substances out and they are then deposited in the liquid.
  • In PET beverage bottles, estrogenic substances have been found in mineral water. These can upset the hormone balance.
  • The acetaldehyde it contains is considered carcinogenic.
  • PET should not be exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures, as these increase the levels of toxic substances.

Alternatives

    PE-HD HDPE – polyethylene (high density)

    STATUS: CONCERNING

    Polyethylene was not considered to be hazardous to health, but it can also contain chemicals with an estrogenic effect. It is a very hard plastic with a high density. It is used, for example, in kitchenware, drinks crates, waste garbage cans, for more stable plastic detergent bottles, toys and pipes.

    HDPE releases fewer chemicals, so it is best used for food containers such as drinking bottles – if you don’t want to do without it. This plastic can be returned to stores, especially in bottle form.

    Dangers

    • This plastic has a lasting impact on the environment. It decomposes only with difficulty or not at all.
    • May contain estrogenic chemicals.

    Alternatives

    PVC – polyvinyl chloride

    STATUS: PRINCIPALLY COMPLETELY AVOID

    PVC should be should be avoided completely. The phthalates it contains are not firmly bound in the plastic. They can therefore be absorbed through the skin, air, house dust, etc. This also directly affects our food cycle. In studies on humans, plasticizers and other degradation products have been detected in blood and urine.

    PVC products are used in window frames (hard PVC), floor coverings (soft PVC), swimming tires (soft PVC), drainpipes (hard PVC), gutters (hard PVC), floor coverings (soft PVC), children’s and animal toys (soft PVC).

    Dangers

    • PVC is made soft and pliable using phthalates (plasticizers), which are extremely hazardous to health.
    • The toxic and carcinogenic vinyl chloride is also required for production. This is very dangerous for humans and the environment.
    • The oestrogenic chemicals present have an impact on obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the impairment of sexual function and fertility.
    • Recycling is possible but costly and leads to a loss of quality, which is why PVC is often simply incinerated with household waste.

    Alternatives

    • Aluminum and wooden windows
    • Wooden toys
    • Wooden floor coverings
    •  Panel coverings

    PE-LD or LDPE – polyethylene (low-density)

    STATUS: HAZARDOUS (FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT)

    This material is said to be harmless to humans. No substances are released from the material on contact with water. However, chemicals do dissolve in contact with other foods and should therefore be specifically avoided in this context.

    This plastic is used to make films, cling film, soap dispenser bottles, packaging and plastic tubes.

    Dangers

    • Pollutes the environment and is difficult to break down.

    Alternatives

    PP – polypropylene

    STATUS: CONCERNABLE (FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT)

    PP is considered one of the most environmentally friendly plastics. This material contains fewer questionable additives and does not release any harmful substances into the environment. Although it is relatively easy to recycle, it cannot be broken down naturally by the environment. It is durable, lightweight and heat-resistant, making it relatively harmless.

    It is used to make bumpers, interior trim, industrial fibers, DVD cases, food packaging, plastic bags, yoghurt pots, electrical household appliances, cups, toys, sporting goods and sportswear.

    Dangers

    • Cannot be degraded by the environment.

    Alternatives

    PS – polystyrene

    STATUS: AVOID (HAZARD TO THE ENVIRONMENT)

    This is a cheap and lightweight plastic. It is used for toys, flower pots, CD cases, suitcases, clothes hangers, cups, yogurt pots and food packaging as well as for polystyrene.

    In the recycling process, polystyrene is usually still incinerated, as the technical conditions for proper recycling are not yet available in many places. Do not dispose of it with household waste but take it to a recycling center.

    Carcinogenic substances volatilize when heated, so it is only suitable for single use in conjunction with food. Should not be cleaned hot.

    Dangers

    • Currently difficult to impossible to recycle, as the technology is not yet mature enough.
    •  Therefore a danger to the environment. The corresponding waste is therefore incinerated.
    •  During incineration, vapors are released (styrene) which irritate the eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract and are suspected of causing cancer. Therefore, do not dispose of it with household waste but take it to a recycling center.
    • Polystyrene is not broken down by nature.

    Alternatives

    O (Other) – BPA, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), etc.

    STATUS: ABSOLUTELY AVOID 

    All types of plastic are summarized under this number, which do not fall under the labeling 1- 6. However, there is no labeling requirement in the EU. Therefore, you will find the 07 on very little packaging. This makes it difficult for the consumer to recognize.

    Alternatively, you can look for the label C for polycarbonate, which contains the toxic substance bisphenol A (BPA). All of these types of plastic can cause a wide variety of illnesses.

    Caution: The 07 can also be printed on biodegradable plastics. If you look at the things mentioned above, it makes absolutely no sense. However, the degradation time of “bio-plastic” is extremely long and can often only be carried out incompletely, if at all, in industrial composting plants.

    They are used in drinking bottles, microwave dishes, receipts, safety helmets, DVD cases, spectacle lenses, cell phones, PCs/laptops and airplane windows.

    Dangers

    • BPA – hormonal properties. The estrogenic effect therefore has an influence on cardiovascular diseases, reproductive abilities, brain and organ development of the fetus, etc.
      Non-degradable in the environment – re-enters the food cycle through polluted lakes and seas.

    Alternatives

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