Plastic numbers guide

Thanks Rodger this was really helpful. In true UL style, I've been reusing packaging for food which would normally be a one use item to the average Joe/Jill; the fruit containers I buy my berries in work great for repackaging bulk fruit purchased from Costco. It's #5 so I'll keep those.

Didn't know about the plastic cutlery so I'll pass on those from now on.

Edit:

If I understand it correctly, Lexan is a polycarbonate.

OTHER (Varies)Plastic #7 can be a little tricky as it stands for “Other” which may or may not contain BPA. It is commonly used to label Polycarbonate (PC). The letters PC may be present with the recycling symbol, which would indicate that the product is made with polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is derived from BPA. Read more about the harm of BPA here.

Where is Polycarbonate found?
•Electrical wiring
•CD/DVD cases
•Baby bottles
•3 and 5 gallon reusable bottles
Health Concerns
BPA has been found to be an endocrine disruptor. Choose bottles made with the #1, #2, #4, or #5 recycling codes.

So did Mrs. Robinson and Ben use plastic?

Go ahead Nick, use BPA, show us how harmless it is : )

Recent mother jones article…?

Link: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/tritan-certichem-eastman-bpa-free-plastic-safe

So does this mean holding onto my old Nalgenes wasn't the most terrible idea in the world after all…?

(note: above is tongue in cheek. I did not track down and read the study discussed in the article.)