Plastic Sucks

What more can we say other than – plastic sucks! It is virtually unavoidable and is laced with toxic chemicals that leach into the liquids and foods we put into plastics containers. Once it’s made, it is here forever, only breaking down to smaller and smaller bits of plastic. You know plastic sucks, and if you don’t, you do now. You can learn more below. Here is some valuable information on why plastic sucks and some ways you can avoid it.

The Facts

Last year, over 22 billion plastic bottles ended up in the landfill or incinerator, and required 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce, and that's just in the United States.

Common plastics include a recycling symbol and a little number 1 through 7 inside - what exactly do those numbers mean though?

We’ve often wondered and asked the same question. Well, here are the answers! Check out our guide to getting to know your plastics.

First, the most common plastics have a resin code in a chasing arrow symbol most commonly found on the bottom of the product (the arrows do not mean the plastic is recyclable at all by the way). Very, very generally - 3 and 6 are of most concern. Avoid those at all costs. Plastics 2, 4, and 5 are generally safe. The 7 category is a catch-all group which includes everything else, as well as, the corn-based plastics.

1. PET or PETE - Polyethylene Terephthalate - PETE is most often used for cooking oil bottles, soft drink bottles, and peanut butter jars.
2. HDPE - High Density Polyethylene - HDPE is commonly used for milk jugs and detergent bottles.
3. PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC is used for plastic pipes, water bottles, outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap, liquid detergent containers, and salad dressing containers.
4. LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene - LDPE is often used for trashcan liners, dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, and food storage containers.
5. PP - Polypropylene - PP is used for drinking straws and bottle caps.
6. PS - Polystyrene - PS is used to make packaging pellets, commonly referred to as "Styrofoam peanuts."
7. OTHER - PC (Polycarbonate): Can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA). It also includes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), Acrylic, and Polyamide. These plastics are not typically recyclable., which is a major environmental concern. On the other hand, new plant-based, biodegradable plastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) also fall into the #7 category.

Products That help cut down single-use plastic consumption!

Show us how you're cutting down your plastic waste!

Whether it's carrying a reusable water bottle, bringing your own bag, or even your own reusable straw, we want to see how you're cutting down your single-use plastic waste. Every little bit counts! Post a photo on social media using #PlasticSucks and #NonToxicRevolution and we might even feature you on our Instagram.