Use Plastic Safely

Nowadays, the using of plastic is inevitable from our live. But do you know that plactic has seven code, usually inform below the product (if you see below a plastic bottle, usually it will show which code the bottle is)? Some codes are dangerous for continuously using, example plastic with code 1, 3 and 7, as plastic with this code contains chemical danger. Find out which plastic is safe for using everyday and which one is better used once.



Since our world has found how to make plastics, its inevitable that this stuff quite an useful product. Plastics are made from long chain polymers and each polymer is composed of small building units called monomers that are chemically linked together. Different combinations of monomers yield polymers with different properties and characteristics. In addition, plastic additives are incorporated into polymers during the manufacturing process to confer specific properties to the polymer for certain packaging applications. For example, the introduction of nucleating agents improves the clarity and stiffness of a plastic polymer which allows it to be used for making rigid and clear containers that show-off the contents and appeal to consumers.

There are seven groups of plastic polymers, each with specific properties that are used worldwide for many packaging applications (see table below). Each group of plastic polymer can be identified by its Plastic Identification code (PIC) - usually a number or a letter abbreviation. For instance, Low-Density Polyethylene can be identified by the number "4" and/or the letters "LDPE". The PIC appears inside a three-chasing arrow recycling symbol (see table). The symbol is used to indicate whether the plastic can be recycled into new products.

The PIC was introduced by the Society of Plastics Industry, Inc. which provides a uniform system for the identification of different polymer types and helps recycling companies to separate different plastics for reprocessing. Manufacturers of plastic food packaging and containers can voluntarily mark their products with the PIC. Consumers can identify the plastic types based on the codes usually found at the base or at the side of the plastic food packaging and containers. The PIC is usually not present on packaging films, as it is not practical to collect and recycle most of this type of waste.

Plastic Identification Codes
	Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE) Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture. i.e Soft drink, water and  salad dressing bottles;  peanut butter and jam jars
	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to moisture, permeability to gas. i.e Milk, juice and water  bottles; yogurt and margarine  tubs; trash and retail bags.
	Polyvinyl Chloride (V) Versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness.  i.e Juice bottles; cling films
	Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture. i.e Frozen food bags;  squeezable bottles,  e.g. honey, mustard; cling films;  flexible container lids.
	Polypropylene (PP) Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture. i.e Reusable microwaveable  ware; kitchenware; yogurt  containers; margarine tubs;  microwaveable disposable  take-away containers;  disposable cups and plates.
	Polystyrene (PS) Versatility, clarity, easily formed. i.e Egg cartons; disposable  cups, plates, trays and cutlery;  disposable  take-away containers; yoghurt  and margarine containers
	Other Dependent on polymers or combination or polymers. i.e Beverage bottles;  baby milk bottles.

Safety tips for consumers when using plastic food packaging & containers
When manufacturers design a plastic packaging, they will take into consideration the type of food and its contact time with the packaging, and the amount of heat to which the plastic will be subjected. It is therefore crucial that consumers do not misuse packaging materials in an unintended or unanticipated manner as this may result in greater amounts of chemical migration than would otherwise be expected. The following are some guidelines for safe use of plastic food packaging and containers.

Plastics and conventional oven

• Unless indicated otherwise, plastic packaging used for commercial packing of food is not suitable for use in conventional ovens. They may catch fire or melt and resulting in chemical migration into foods.
  
  
• Reheat pre-cooked foods in a conventional oven only if they are sold in specially made "ovenable" packaging and oven reheating instructions are given by the manufacturer.

Plastics and microwave oven

• Only use plastic containers that are labeled as microwave-safe for microwave cooking or reheating. Do not use the container in a microwave oven if you are in doubt or unable to find the manufacturer's instructions for microwave use.
  
  
• Cold or freezer storage containers such as yoghurt, margarine and ice-cream tubs are not manufactured for reheating or cooking food in a microwave or conventional oven. They are not heat stable and chemicals from the plastic may migrate into the food during heating.

Plastic cling films

• Do not use cling films in conventional ovens or with pots and pans on cooker hobs where the films may melt into the food.
  
  
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the proper usage of the cling films.
  
  
• Only use cling films designated as suitable for use in microwave oven.
  
  
• When re-heating or cooking food in a microwave oven, ensure that the microwave-safe cling film does not touch the food. If the film touches the food, the film could get overly hot and possibly melt or may migrate chemicals into the food.

Freezing, defrosting and cooking fresh produce in commercial plastic packaging

• It is safe to freeze meat directly in its original commercial plastic wrapping. For long storage, rewrap or over-wrap the meat tightly with moisture proof freezer bags to maintain the quality and texture of the meat.
  
  
• Do not defrost or cook the meat in its original commercial packaging in a microwave oven, as the plastic packaging may not be microwave-safe.

Reusing plastic packaging and containers

• Commercial plastic packaging that has been used for storing non-food items (e.g. detergents) should never be reused as food containers. They have not been tested safe for food storage and they may contain non-food residues that contaminate food.
  
  
• Plastic packaging that are used for commercial packing of food and takeaway plastic food containers used in eating outlets are disposable items designed for single use and are not intended for repeated storage of food. They are safe for their immediate intended purpose but not beyond what they are designed for.
  
  
• Only use those takeaway food containers that are labeled microwave-safe for reheating food in the microwave oven. They should not be reused for microwave heating.
  
  
• Plastic packaging for microwaveable convenience meals are designed for one time usage with the type of food packed in it and should not be reused for storing or microwave heating of food.
  
  
• Only use reusable plastic food containers (e.g., cups, plates, bowls, bottles and boxes used in household kitchens) for repeated storage of food. These containers have the sturdiness, thermal stability and other attributes needed for a reusable food container.
  
  
• Reusable plastic food containers can be subjected to wear and tear after a period of use. They should be replaced when they have turned cloudy or discoloured or if cracks or heavy abrasions start to appear.

Safe use of polycarbonate baby bottles to reduce your baby's exposure to bisphenol-A :
(a) Do not put boiling water in baby bottles, as hot water causes bisphenol-A to migrate out of the bottle at a higher rate.
(b) Boiled water should be allowed to cool to lukewarm in a non-polycarbonate container before transferring to baby bottles.
(c) Baby bottles can be sterilized according to instructions on infant formula labels and should be allowed to cool before placing infant formula into them. 
(d) Parents who are concerned about using polycarbonate baby bottles can turn to other alternatives such as glass bottles.

Conclusion
1. Wisely using plastic, especially with code 1,3, 6 and 7 (PC), just use once time.
2. Will be safer use plastic with code 2,4,5.
 

Source : http://www.ava.gov.sg/FoodSector/FoodSafetyEducation/Food+Facts/SafeUsePlasticContainers/index.htm