PLASTIC BY SPI CODE

PHOTO GALLERY AT BOTTOM

ABOUT SPI CODES

* SPI codes #1- 7 designate the class of petro-chemical feedstock bases (resins, polymers) used in manufacture.

* Manufacturing process adds specific organic reagents to the feedstock.

* Highly toxic chemicals, some known carcinogens;  aka, volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

* Specific reagents used to create product characteristics specified by customer. 

* Reagents customized to specific plastic products. 

* Plastics “outgas” their own VOCs.

* Trace chemicals from plastic containers leach into liquids and food.   

PLASTIC #1 [PETE, Polystyrene Terephthalate] (clear), 

*  Mostly used in water bottles; leaches out BPA. 

*  Each minute, 1 million bottles purchased around the globe. 

*  Colossal amounts of PETE litter landfills, landscapes, and oceans.

 About 64% of bottled water sold here is filtered tap water-- (2018 report from the Food &  Water Watch).  

*  BPA is the most familiar and best characterized leached chemical.

*  The chemical compositions of plastic are proprietary, and there can be up to 30 chems per plastic type.

*  BPA is an "endocrine disruptor" and estrogen mimic; binds to estrogen receptors throughout the body.

*  Linked to early puberty, obesity, diabetes, male and female infertility, breast/ prostate cancers. 

* Also affects ovulation, fetal development, neuro-developmental delays.

PLASTIC #2 [HDPE, High density polyethylene] (opaque).

*  Used for bottles with necks, detergent containers, jugs.

PLASTIC #3, POLY-VINYL CHLORIDE (PVC).

*  Valued for its hardness, flexibility, and durability; most widely used plastic. 

*  Final ingredients include ethylene and chlorine gases. 

*  Outgases "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs, new car smell) and hydrochloric acid.  

*  Ubiquitous in construction materials ie, pipes, flooring, siding; in autos, medical products, cable and wire insulation; and notably, children's plastic toys.

* Recycled in limited manner; should be avoided around food. 

PLASTICS #4 LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE [LDPE], bag and film type plastic.  

*  Jams up solid plastic sorting machines-- why collected separately. 

*  Great strides in recycling in both industrial and post-consumer waste. 

*  Still significant disposal problem;  > 1% is recycled.

PLASTIC #5 LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE [LLDPE]
*  Used for soft tubs and bottles.

*  Used in prescription drug containers; recyclable if empty and identifiers blocked out.

PLASTIC #6 POLYSTYRENE [PS], Styrofoam brand. 

*  Outgases styrene. 

*  In seawater, disperses into particles tht form floating films; these adsorb toxins.

*  Films gather at land interfaces, coastal feeding and breeding areas.

*  Infused with toxic fire retardant HBCD for building insulation.  

*  Recycling peanuts, grocery trays, only regionally; down-cycled to pellets; capacity limited by low transport reimbursement for lightweight materials. 

*  PS now banned in some regions and some US states; number of bans is accelerating.

PLASTIC #7, or “Everything else,” 

*  Broad catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and “other” plastics. 

*  Difficult to recycle.

*  Includes vanishingly small number of biodegradable compostable plastics; made from bio-based polymers like corn starch. 

* Identifiable by initials “PLA” underneath the #7 code; some read “Compostable;" and literally require composting to degrade.

HELIUM PARTY BALLOONS
*  Balloons, metallic balloons, and attached ribbons cause innumerable wildlife fatalities.

*  Exponential growth in their use; more frequent and larger balloon releases now common.

*  Please don’t buy; environmentally friendly alternates available; if you do buy, don’t release. 

*  Discarded fishing line another wildlife hazard; causes death by binding and immobilizing birds and animals.

LOCAL RESOURCE

Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA).

*  Handy interactive website tells how to recycle specific item.

*  If it can’t take an item, call; they will direct one to a place that does take them, eg, electronics, metals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

1)    Plastic island:  https://tinyurl.com/y6zfoguo

 2)   Bottled water:   https://tinyurl.com/y5pz3uos    

3)  Plastic #3:  https://tinyurl.com/y64lywzj

4)  Foam recycling:   https://tinyurl.com/y3794vuh

 5)  Balloons endanger wildlife:  https://tinyurl.com/glkjcjg    

6)  Recycling guide:  https://tinyurl.com/y2wtsv92