Ask TSL: Are All #7 Plastics Toxic?

by on March 7, 2008 in Ask TSL, Bisphenol-a, Materials, PES, Toxic Chemicals

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Oh! the EVIL #7 recycling category and its never-ending confusion! I think its time to shed a little light on the subject. So here we go . . .

The short answer to the question is “No.” Not all #7 plastics are made with toxic chemicals.

Let’s look at a basic overview of what plastics this “other/miscellaneous” recycling category includes:

  • EVIL: Polycarbonate, a clear, hard plastic that contains hormone-disrupting bisphenol-a. Found in Nalgene Lexan and other sports bottles, baby bottles and food containers. May appear as #7 PC.
  • NOT EVIL: Mixed or layered plastics: use of the code #7 indicates that the product is made with a resin other than categories #1-6, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. Found in three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles. This is also where the Gerber Graduates Baby Food and the Baby Bjorn Bibs and Plate and Spoon fall. May appear as #7 Other.

I like the way Jeremiah of ZRecs explains it:

The #7 plastics category includes a lot of newer plastics and layered plastics as well. It is actually a common number to see on food items that have multiple layers of different plastics for preservative or breatheability factors.

So when deciding whether to throw out your baby bottles and dishes marked with a #7, keep in mind that they may not be the EVIL kind of #7 plastic. If you’re unsure, contact the company and ask them directly whether the product in question contains any bisphenol-a (BPA) or phthalates.

P.S. Newer plastics included in the #7 other category are: PES, Tritan Co-polyester, PPSU and bioplastics (PLA).

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  • Mule Skinner

    I am belatedly trying to understand about all this. It seems that #7 cannot be trusted since it is a catchall category. I also read that #3 and #6 are not suitable for food handling, but I see nothing on that here.

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Mule,

    You are correct about the #7 recycling category. You really need to avoid those plastics unless the product is specifically labeled as BPA free, or you have info regarding a product’s BPA free status from a reputable source.

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Mule,

    You are correct about the #7 recycling category. You really need to avoid those plastics unless the product is specifically labeled as BPA free, or you have info regarding a product’s BPA free status from a reputable source.

    Alicia

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  • Paris

    We were told by a leading WSU (WA state Univ) researcher that they found BPA in the lining of the SIGG stainless steel bottles. Apparently SIGG gets their lining from another company so they do not have to disclose what it is made of. I specifically switched to SIGG (when I found out I was pregnant with twins)because http://www.ewg.org stated they were safe. Now my SIGG bottles sit up on a shelf until I can verify. Thoughts?

    • http://www.thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      Hi Paris,

      We never could get a straight answer from SIGG about their lining. Each time we called, we were told that the lining ingredients were proprietary, but that they had been tested and proven to be 100% BPA-free. It’s just another unknown for us . . .

      Alicia

  • Paris

    We were told by a leading WSU (WA state Univ) researcher that they found BPA in the lining of the SIGG stainless steel bottles. Apparently SIGG gets their lining from another company so they do not have to disclose what it is made of. I specifically switched to SIGG (when I found out I was pregnant with twins)because http://www.ewg.org stated they were safe. Now my SIGG bottles sit up on a shelf until I can verify. Thoughts?

    • http://www.thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      Hi Paris,

      We never could get a straight answer from SIGG about their lining. Each time we called, we were told that the lining ingredients were proprietary, but that they had been tested and proven to be 100% BPA-free. It’s just another unknown for us . . .

      Alicia

  • Boo

    Does anyone know about TPE ? It is a soft plastic like PVC. Is it safe?

  • Boo

    Does anyone know about TPE ? It is a soft plastic like PVC. Is it safe?

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Hi Boo,

    We’ve done some pretty thorough research on TPE, and it seems to be a good, non-toxic material. It is typically BPA, PVC and phthalate-free. Many of the products we offer at TSL use TPE (or TPR, which another form of the same compound) as a rubbery grip or sippy spout cover to make it more comfortable to drink from.

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Hi Boo,

    We’ve done some pretty thorough research on TPE, and it seems to be a good, non-toxic material. It is typically BPA, PVC and phthalate-free. Many of the products we offer at TSL use TPE (or TPR, which another form of the same compound) as a rubbery grip or sippy spout cover to make it more comfortable to drink from.

    Alicia

  • Dorene

    Does anyone know if VitaMix machine has any of the evil chemicals?

  • Dorene

    Does anyone know if VitaMix machine has any of the evil chemicals?

  • Dorene

    Contacted VitaMix about their product. NO they do not use BPA in the newer version Super 5200… Expensive product, but wow it can do everything!!
    Also, contacted Cuisinart about their Mini Food Processor…since many of us use this for making baby food…have not heard back yet, but will keep you posted.

  • Dorene

    Contacted VitaMix about their product. NO they do not use BPA in the newer version Super 5200… Expensive product, but wow it can do everything!!
    Also, contacted Cuisinart about their Mini Food Processor…since many of us use this for making baby food…have not heard back yet, but will keep you posted.

  • Dorene

    DO NOT USE CUISINART IF YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM BPA CONTAMINATION…Switch to VitaMix for the baby and family food prep. Also, anyone using can baby food be careful because the jars contain BPA lining under the lid. Check out ZRecs Guide for more information.

  • Dorene

    DO NOT USE CUISINART IF YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM BPA CONTAMINATION…Switch to VitaMix for the baby and family food prep. Also, anyone using can baby food be careful because the jars contain BPA lining under the lid. Check out ZRecs Guide for more information.

  • Rose

    I am planning to buy a baby bottle but I’m not sure which one would be better and safe. Is it better to buy the Born-Free Baby plastic bottle or the AVENT Baby plastic bottle ? Both of these bottles do not have any numbers at the bottom of the bottles. Please advise. All suggestions and experiences shared will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  • Rose

    I am planning to buy a baby bottle but I'm not sure which one would be better and safe. Is it better to buy the Born-Free Baby plastic bottle or the AVENT Baby plastic bottle ? Both of these bottles do not have any numbers at the bottom of the bottles. Please advise. All suggestions and experiences shared will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  • http://alternativeenergysourcenews.blogspot.com/ Alternative Source News

    Why bother …just throw them all out. Not worth determining if it is or not

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  • izzy

    I just heard about the bpa chemicals and I am currently trying to gather more information. I am confused in one thing though, so is the number 7 bad in plastics? and also there are some letters like o and pc what does that stand for? is this a good thing that it has that on it? If anyone can answer this i would greatly appreciate it Thanks

  • soupy

    So. let me get this straight. All #7 plastics are NOT bad. Just some, or most of them. Yeah sure. This is a good way to keep everyone confused and in the dark. Just avoid them if you ask me. Who in the hell trusts the FDA anyway? Hello????!

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