The sign under which the bottle is a code issued by The Society of Plastic Industry in 1998 in the United States and followed by the development institutions of the system code, such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization).In general, plastic badges are characterized by features:
A. And the name of a type of plastic below the triangle.
B. Triangular
C. Being or situated at the bottom
D. Inside the triangle there is a number
This is the meaning of the Signs Code :
Explanation :
A. PETE/PET
This sign is usually listed recycling logo with the number 1 in the center and writing PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) at the bottom of the triangle. Commonly used for plastic bottles, colored clear / transparent / translucent like mineral water bottles, juice bottles, and almost any other beverage bottles.
Bottle type PETE / PET is recommended only for single use. If used too often, let alone be used to store hot water let alone hot, will result in a polymer coating on the bottle would melt and release carcinogenic substances that can cause cancer in the long run.
PETE material is too dangerous for workers associated with the processing and recycling bottles PETE bottles. Making use of the compound antimony trioxide PETE. These compounds can enter the body through the respiratory system by breathing air containing these compounds.
Frequent inhalation of these compounds can cause skin and respiratory tract irritation. For women, this compound increased menstrual problems and miscarriage. When the bear was, their children will most likely experience slower growth until the age of 12 months.
The majority of the world's PETE material used for synthetic fibers and materials basis bottle packaging. In the textile, commonly referred to as polyester PETE.
B. HDPE
At the bottom of plastic bottles, recycle logo printed with the number 2 in the middle, and writing HDPE (high density polyethylene) in the triangle. Commonly used for milk bottle white milk, Tupperware, gallons of drinking water, folding chairs and others.
HDPE plastic bottle type has properties of a material that is stronger, harder, more opaque and resistant to high temperatures. Is one of the plastic material that is safe to use because of its ability to prevent chemical reaction between the plastic containers made of HDPE with food / drinks are packed.
Just as PETE, HDPE is also advisable to only use once because the release of antimony trioxide compounds continue to increase over time.
C. V/PVC
V means that PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is the most difficult types of plastics recycling. It can be found on the plastic wrap (cling wrap) and bottles.
The reaction that occurs between the PVC with foods that are packed with plastic is potentially harmful to the kidneys, liver and body weight. PVC contains DEHA (diethylhydroxylamine) which can react with foods that are packed in plastic made from PVC is now in direct contact with food such as DEHA is melted at a temperature of -15 ° C.
D. LDPE
Recycling logo with the number 4 in the middle, and writing LDPE. LDPE (low density polyethylene) is a type of brown plastic (thermoplastic, is made from petroleum), was used to place food, plastic packaging, and bottles of soft.
The mechanical properties of LDPE is a type of strong, transparent, flexible and slightly greasy surface, at a temperature of 60 degrees is very resistant to chemical reactions, the protection against moisture quite well, can be recycled and good for items that require a flexible but strong.
Goods made from LDPE is difficult to destroy, but still good for the food because it is difficult to react chemically with foods that are packed with this material.
E. PP
Recycling logo printed with the number 5 in the middle, and writing PP. Common characteristic is transparent bottles that are not clear or cloudy. Polypropylene is stronger and lighter with low vapor permeability, good resistance to fats, stable to high temperatures and quite shiny.
Types of PP (polypropylene) plastic material is the best choice, especially for food and beverages as a place to store food, drink bottles and most drink bottles for infants.
Look for the code number 5 when buying goods made from plastic for storing various food and beverage packaging.
F. PS
Recycling logo printed with the number 6 in the middle, and writing the PS. Commonly used as a place to eat styrofoam, disposable drinking places, and others. Polystyrene is an aromatic polymer material that can release styrene into food when food is in contact.
Besides the food, styrene can also be obtained from cigarette smoke, fumes and building construction materials. This material should be avoided, as dangerous to the health of the brain, interfering with the hormone estrogen in women, resulting in reproductive problems, and growth and nervous system, as well as the material is difficult to recycle. When recycled, these materials require a very long and long.
This material can be identified by code number 6. However, if no digit code printed on the plastic packaging, this material can be recognized by burning (a last resort and should be avoided). When burned, these materials will be issued a yellow-orange flames and leaves soot.
G. OTHER (O)
Recycling logo printed with the number 7 in the center, and a note. 7 Other types of plastics to this there are four kinds, namely:
A. Nylon
B. ABS - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
C. PC - polycarbonate
D. SAN - styrene acrylonitrile
Can be found in the food and drinks such as sports drink bottles, auto parts, household appliances, computers, electronic equipment and plastic packaging.
ABS N SAN has high resistance to chemical reaction n temperature, strength, stiffness and hardness which has been improved.
SAN is usually found on the mixer bowl, wrapping flasks, dishes, cutlery, coffee filters and a toothbrush.
While ABS is commonly used as a toy lego and pipes. These materials are one of the plastic material which is excellent for use in packaging food or beverages.
PC (polycarbonate) dpt was found in baby bottles, toddler cups (sippy cup), polycarbonate drinking bottles and cans of food and beverage packaging, including cans of infant formula.
This material may issue the main material is Bisphenol-A into the food n beverages that may damage the hormone system, the chromosomes in the ovaries, decreased sperm production, and alter immune function.
Recommended usage is not used to place food or beverages. Ironically bottle is very likely to have the heating process. Whether it's for the purpose of sterilization by boiling, microwave or pour hot water.
The Conclusion of the Plastic Classification Marks:
- Be careful in the use of plastics, particularly the code of 1, 3, 6 and 7 (PC), all have a chemical hazard. Use only disposable!
- Reasonably safe when using plastics with codes 2, 4, 5 and 7 (SAN or ABS)
- Select and use baby bottles made of glass, or plastic type 4 or 5.
- Use baby cups made from stainless steel, or plastic type 4 or 5.
- To dot, use a silicone based, as it will not issue a carcinogenic substance as the dot made from latex.
- Prevent the use of baby bottles and baby cups (with holes penghisapnya) made from 7 types of PC (polycarbonate),
- If the use made of polycarbonate plastic can not be prevented, do not store food or drinking water in hot conditions.
