Purchasing and Using Plastics
Be a Smart Shopper
Avoid plastic altogether:
- Buy and store food in glass, ceramic or metal containers, as most plastic types have been reported to leak chemicals into food.
- Use cloth grocery bags.
- Choose fresh, frozen and dried foods over those that are canned. (Metal cans are lined with plastic.)
- Purchase toys made from natural materials. Avoid toys and teethers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. These plastics contain particularly harmful chemicals.
- Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, test your tap water and use an appropriate water filter if necessary.
- Avoid vinyl and fake leather (PVC) products.
- Do not buy cosmetics that contain phthalates (a harmful plasticizer) or fragrances (which often contain phthalates), especially nail polish, perfumes, lipstick and hairspray.
If buying plastic:
- Look for the recycling code (#1-7) on plastic bottles. If unlabelled, call the manufacturer to ask about the plastic used.
- Buy recyclable (#1 PETE and #2 HDPE) and least toxic (#1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP). Try to avoid #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 polycarbonate.
- Choose the least-packaged option; for instance, buy in bulk.
Get Rid Of The Old, Bring In The New
- Recycle or discard plastic bottles and food storage containers that are worn, scratched, or cannot be identified. Replace these at regular intervals (every 6 months).
Protect Your Children
- Avoid dental sealants, which may contain the hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A, for children's baby teeth.
Know Your Way Around The Kitchen
- Do not heat plastics, especially if they contain fatty foods. Heating fatty food in plastics can cause greater leaching.
- Microwave in glass or ceramic only. Do not use plastic wraps.
- Do not use plastic cutlery and dinnerware.
- If using plastic storage containers, make sure hot food items have cooled before placing them in the container.
