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With all the recent media coverage surrounding BPA (Bisphenol A), Glas Water would like to clarify the use of BPA (Bisphenol A) and what bottles are manufactured using this chemical.
CLASS 7 – Polycarbonate bottles use BPA (Bisphenol A) in their production process unless otherwise stated at point of sale.
CLASS 1 – Polyethylene Teraphthalate (PET) plastic bottles DO NOT use BPA (Bisphenol A) in their production process, nor is it used as a chemical building block for any of the materials used in the manufacture of PET plastic.
CLASS 1 plastic is 100% BPA (Bisphenol A) free.
Glas Water only uses class 1 plastic bottles for all our private label customers.
For more information on BPA (Bisphenol A) please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_a
DECODING PLASTIC CODES
Have you ever wondered about the numbers that appear on the bottom of products you buy that are packaged in plastic containers? The numbers are the result of the plastic industries effort to make the identification and separating of plastics easier for consumers and recyclers. Most uses of recycled plastics do not allow mixing of the various types.
The numbers, which are enclosed by three solid arrows that form a triangle, indicate the type of plastic used to make the container. The seven types of plastics are described below.
CLASS 1 – PET or PETE (Polyethylene Teraphthalate)
Common uses – soft drinks, water, juice, beer, mouthwash, peanut butter, salad dressing, detergent and cleaner containers.
CLASS 2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
Common uses – opaque milk, juice and water containers, grocery bags; (colored HDPE) liquid laundry and dish detergent, fabric softener, motor oil, antifreeze, bleach and lotion.
CLASS 3 – V, Vinyl or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Common uses – vegetable oil bottles, mouthwash, salad dressings, clear food and non-food packaging (e.g., cling wrap), shampoo, detergent and window cleaner, shower curtains, medical tubing and numerous construction products (e.g., pipes & siding)
CLASS 4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
Common uses – grocery and garbage bags, dry cleaning, bread and frozen food bags, most plastic wraps, squeezable bottles (mustard, honey)
CLASS 5 – PP (Polypropylene)
Common uses – battery cases, dairy containers, cereal box liners, ketchup bottles, medicine and syrup bottles, straws, Rubbermaid and other opaque plastic containers, including baby bottles.
CLASS 6 – PS (Polystyrene)
Common uses - Styrofoam containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, take-away food containers, plastic cutlery, meat and produce trays and compact disc cases.
CLASS 7 – Other Types of Plastic
Common uses – reusable/washable plastic water containers (Polycarbonate), squeezable ketchup bottles, most chip snack bags and juice boxes (individual servings).
Recycling Your Plastic Waste
Every year, more cities in the US and Canada are providing curbside pick-up for a wide variety of plastic products. The most recyclable plastic type is CLASS 1 or PET plastic. Hundreds of every day products use recycled CLASS 1 plastic as an ingredient in their production.
Markets for Recycled PET
FIBERS
Approximately 70% of all recovered European PET was used to produce polyester fibers (2003). Large diameter fibers are used to stuff anoraks, sleeping bags and soft toys. Smaller diameter fibers are woven into polar fleece fabric used for sweatshirts, jackets and scarves. Such fabrics can contain up to 100% of recycled materials, a polar fleece jacket can uses approximately 25 recycled PET bottles!
PACKAGING
Containers for toiletries and household products, egg containers and other pre-formed plastic boxes (e.g., fruit boxes) are made from recycled PET. New technologies can now take recycled PET flakes and render them completely clean for the manufacture of new bottles intended for foodstuffs (e.g., water bottles). These new recycled PET containers are called R-PET or recycled PET containers. Because R-PET is 100% recyclable we can now use the same plastic over and over again. BPA (Bisphenol A) is NOT used in the manufacture of R-PET plastic. New OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC will soon be available in major markets. This new technology produces plastic which degrades by a process of OXO-degradation. The technology is based on a small amount of pro-degradant additive being introduced into the manufacturing process, thereby changing the behaviour of the plastic. Degradation begins when the programmed service life is over (as controlled by the additive formulation) and the product is no longer required.
The plastic does not just fragment, but will be consumed by bacteria and fungi after the additive has reduced the molecular structure to a level which permits living micro-organisms access to the carbon and hydrogen. It is therefore "biodegradable." This process continues until the material has biodegraded to nothing more than CO2, water, and humus, and it does not leave fragments of petro-polymers in the soil. Oxo-biodegradable plastic passes all the usual ecotoxicity tests, including seed germination, plant growth and organism survival (daphnia, earthworms) tests carried out in accordance with ON S 2200 and ON S 2300 national standards.
NEW APPLICATIONS
The PET industry is constantly looking for new applications for recycled or re-claimed material. There are many developing markets for recovered PET.
- Polyethylene can be made thanks to polyester polyols developed from reclaimed PET.
- Engineered resins made from recovered PET can be injection moulded to manufacture computer and automotive parts.
- Other alternative production processes use “spunbonded” PET in the manufacture of shoe liners, webbing and geo-textiles (shoes, backpacks).
Glas Water encourages everyone to do their part and recycle every container accepted by your city or municipality.
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