Resin code number one is Polyethylene terephthalate. You may know it by the name of polyester, PETE, or PET. Polyethylene is used for water bottles, soda bottles, “disposable” food containers, and containers for cleaning products.
Polyethylene is a clear plastic that is porous and it has been known to leach. The pores in the plastic allow bacteria to accumulate and this is one of the reasons that it is not intended for more than one use. The other reason this is a single-use plastic is because of the leaching. The longer a substance is in contact with the plastic, the greater the chance that is has leached into the contents. Leaching is more prevalent when the plastic is exposed to heat or sunlight.
Polyethylene is accepted by most municipal recycling facilities. It can be downcycled into polyester fibers for polar fleece, tote bags, furniture, carpeting, and paneling.
Polyethylene is suspected to release (or leach) antimony and phthalates. Antimony is a metalloid element most commonly found in nature as the sulfide mineral stibnite. Antimony is used as a catalyst in the production of Polyethylene. Phthalate is an ester of phthalic acid and is used as a plasticizer. Plasticizers are chemicals added to plastic to make it flexible and moldable.
Depending on what study or report you are reading, Polyethylene is considered a “safe” plastic. It is also thought to be an endocrine disruptor and carcinogen.
I try not to eat or drink out of any plastic but it is quite difficult in our world today. It’s best to play it safe whenever you can by using glass or stainless steel containers. It might be worth it to buy natural fabrics like organic cotton, wool, or hemp.
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