Knowing the plastic codes

I was recycling my Dr. James Mix 1 drink bottle and noticed there was a 5 and 7 on the bottle. Feeling bummed because it seems like with so many questionable plastics, you have to be mindful of the product and the products packaging before you buy. Was the bottle a #5? And the lid was a #7? Was one of my favorite drinks in a leaching plastic bottle?

Which leads me to the synchronicity of an article in this month National Geographic's Green Guide. The article lists all the recycle codes, their plastic makeup and product samples.

Here's a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)-SAFE
Product examples: Disposable soft drink and water bottles, cough-syrup bottles

#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)-SAFE
Product examples: Milk jugs, toys, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles

#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)-AVOID
Product examples: Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes

#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)-SAFE
Product examples: Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags

#5 polypropylene (PP)-SAFE
Product examples: Syrup bottles, yogurt cups/tubs, diapers

#6 polystyrene (PS)-AVOID
Product examples: Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers

#7 other (misc.; usually polycarbonate, or PC, but also polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources)-QUESTIONABLE
Product examples: Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers, medical storage containers

After reading this article, I did find out that the #7's are composed of hormone-disrupting bisphenol A. Yikes! The article inspired my boyfriend to call our local eco-cycle to see which types of plastics they took. #2, #4, #5 but not lids are the only plastics they except for recycling. This is good to know.

I wish Mix 1 was in glass bottles.