Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question.
It may be possible that no plastics are safe. The problem is that we just don't have enough information about what's in them to know for sure. The recycling number tells us the type of plastic but not what other chemicals might have been added to affect its strength, color, texture, or even resistance to bacteria. And manufacturers don’t readily give out this “proprietary” information.
We do know this: Most plastics can leach chemicals if subjected to heat, light, or rough treatment, so it’s unwise to put plastic in the microwave or dishwasher or to store hot foods in it. In my home, I try to stick to stainless steel and glass containers and bottles. I will admit to using one square Tupperware sandwich container now and then, but I’m hoping someone will come up with a plastic-free replacement soon!
Here are the plastics you definitely want to steer clear of:
No. 3. Polyvinyl Chloride ( PVC) is softened with phthalates, which can leach into food and damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. In the kitchen, it’s sometimes found in squeeze bottles, cling wraps, and children’s dishes.
No. 6. Polystyrene (PS) is found in Styrofoam and clear plastic take-out containers. According to the EPA, styrene is a suspected carcinogen and suspected toxin to the gastrointestinal, kidney, and respiratory systems.
No. 7. Polycarbonate contains Bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor found in hard plastic water bottles, baby bottles, cups, and pitchers like those used in many food processors and blenders. It also lines the inside of nearly all metal food & beverage cans and has been found in other types of plastics, including some used for children’s dishes.
Here are two examples the many plastics we just don’t know enough about…
No. 1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is used for disposable water bottles and other clear, throw-away containers. It’s manufactured using a catalyst called antimony, a chemical found to leach into the bottles’ contents over time. The jury is out as to whether this leaching causes harm.
No. 5. Polypropylene (PP) has been considered to be one of the safest plastics. It’s found in yogurt tubs and many dishes and containers used for food storage. In late 2008, researchers in Alberta, Canada found several chemicals leaching from #5 plastic into food. The health effects are not yet known.
Beth Terry writes about finding alternatives to plastic and tracks her own plastic consumption and plastic waste at www.fakeplasticfish.com. Why Fake Plastic Fish? "Because if we don't solve our plastic problem, they could be the only kind of fish we have left." Please stop by and leave a comment!
Have a question for Beth Terry? Send it to her here.
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Chiot's R. says:
I don't think there is a safe plastic for food. Not too long ago these plastics were safe, now they're finding out they leach stuff into the food and beverages. I'm going to stick to glass, it's a safer option. I'm not going to take the chance.
Lucy A. says:
yes me to , I have been saving glass jars and using those to store in place of the plastic, I even take food to work in a glass container to work.
Chiot's R. says:
Me too, I save every glass jar I can get my hands on. My mom also gave me all of my grandma's old canning jars. I try to store everything in glass jars. I'm also slowly replacing my tupperware with glass storage containers. Anything that comes in plastic I try not to buy, if I can't help it, it gets transferred to glass when we get home.
James E. says:
Totally agree, storing in glass makes the food last longer and taste better too I've found...maybe because plastic containers are more porous and let other fridge flavors get into the food?
I do have one question. When saving glass jars, how on earth do you get the labels off them without soaking for days and spending countless time scraping off the glue under the labels? I've noticed some forward-thinking companies are using adhesives that come right off when you peel the label (THANK YOU smart companies!), but most others are impossible to get all the backing off.....would love to hear your secrets?!
Chiot's R. says:
I soak for an hour or so in a pot of water (usually a pot I'm soaking for cleaning so as not to waste water). Then I use a table knife to scrape off the label. If glue remains, I usually rub some soap on the adhesive and that helps it come off. Mineral spirits (probably not environmentally friendly at all) do a great job of getting off that pesky stuck on glue that remains. And sometimes, I just leave the glue residue on there and deal with it!
I'm also a big fan of the companies that have easy peel off labels! Perhaps we should start writing them and thanking them so they know we appreciate it!
Beth Terry says:
Great idea about writing to companies regarding their labels! I too use glass jars and have to soak to get the label off. And I've had the same thought -- how environmentally-friendly is it to use all this soap and water? Sometimes I just leave the label on.
James E. says:
Thanks for the suggestions! Someone else at work just told me that they use a straight edge razor blade to etch the glue off the bottles, no soap or water required! I like the idea of sending our "wish list" to food manufacturers...I'm sure they'd like to know too. I think there is a way we can make a new page on SustainLane so we can create a list of things we'd like to ask for, and then we can invite some of the packaged food companies to participate in our discussion! I'll get back to you all on that effort....
Lucy A. says:
Yes sometimes the lables are hard to get off. When doing dishes the jars have to get washed anyway so they will soak for a while. A good bit does come off and I will have to resort to a scrape here and there but the end result is usually good. And I just love to see a sparkling clean glass jar, can't say the same about plastic. And yes its good to get a lable that just peels off.
Adam W. says:
I have been doing this for a while, and I usually just boil the labels off as I sanitize the jars to put new thing sin them. I recently came across a real problem though - the glue from Muir Glen Organics Tomato Sauce (which is all and plant based I am sure) came off and got all over my pot! Now nothing I do can get it off - help anyone?
Ken O. says:
This is why people buy new packs of mason jars at Long's, because of the new lids with new rubber gaskets... but there must be another way. What do people in today's third world, do? (today's first world was formerly third world, and may revert close to it in the next century.)
It seems wasteful to toss out old lids and buy new lids constantly.
Cliff B. says:
The vast majority of plastics are petroleum based. Each plastic is an engineered set of molecular combinations designed to maximize certain attributes, like flexibility, rigidity, impact resistance, heat distortion, shape memory, and so on. For a while there was a new plastic every week. To buy plastics, you start by describing the attribute that you require. Surlyn, for example is "food grade pure", and can be re-formed to shape in very hot water. It is used for mouth guards. Styrene's claim to fame is "cheap". High impact resistance is polycarbonate. Iodine is used as a stain test for plastics. Nylon has the odd property of absorbing water. I have yet to encounter a plastic that is not doing something questionable.
Glass is always a safer alternative....and as far as Mason lids go, you only need new ones if you require a good vacuum seal for canning. You can re-use Mason lids all you want. Their seal will be at least as good as a plastic container. Long term canning just requires the highest standard.
Chiot's R. says:
For canning you could invest in Weck or other European style canning jars. They have rubber gaskets and no plastic at all. I currently have a few sets and am I am planning on slowly updating all of my canning jars to them. That way I have no plastic on the lid (like Ball or Kerr lids).
I actually quit canning as much and I am trying to eat more seasonally since canning uses so much energy. I've also been studying old preserving methods that don't use modern canning methods.
James E. says:
I'd love to hear more about the preserving methods you are referring to...are you speaking about fermentation, or others ways to preserve? Thanks for the tip on the plastic-free Weck jars!
Chiot's R. says:
I read the book Preserving without Freezing or Canning. It has a lot of old recipes for preservation through brining, lacto-fermentation, drying, oil packing, vinegar packing, etc. I also read Nourishing Traditions that has a lot of lacto-fermentation recipes. I tried brining a couple quarts of beans this year, I haven't eaten them yet, but they look good in storage. I'm planning on eating them soon. I also successfully made zucchini pickles without canning, they are fantastic, much crunchier than canned pickles.
I'm also studying up on root cellaring and hilling for preservation of veggies for winter eating, both of these use no energy.
Ken O. says:
There's always the salt rub and outdoor drying, for fresh meat.
Chiot's R. says:
Oh, yes. I read a great book about curing meats. I'm very intrigued.
Indi M. says:
There are great stainless steel options out there for food storage. My favorite on-line store is http://www.thetickletrunk.com they carry a range of products at great prices.
Atip for removing the glue off glass is to rub it with olive oil, depending on the glue, it sometimes comes right off.
David S. says:
Death by plastic. Perhaps not as bad as bleeding to death when the glass jar you are carrying your lunch in breaks and...well, you know where I'm going from here.
Do you drive a car? If so you're exposing yourself to enough plastics and adhesives to make you wanna crawl up and cower in the corner of the mental institution where you'll end up at if you keep living in fear. Get on out there and live life (plastics and all) instead of wasting more of it worrying than will be lost to the long-term effects of plastic exposure.
Beth Terry says:
Hi David. Thanks for asking. I actually don't drive a car very often. I don't own one. Instead, I have a Zip Car membership and rent the car only ocassionally. But I hear you. I sometimes wonder about the plastic-smelling floor on the BART train I ride every day to work.
But I'm out here living life joyfully while avoiding as much plastic as is possible or practical. It doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.
Chiot's R. says:
I agree, I don't worry too much about it, but I do try to be proactive in limiting my exposure without being too over the top (I still drive a car and occasionally use plastic containers). The use of plastic isn't just detrimental to our health but to the environment as well. It is important to make changes where you can and limit exposure where you can.
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