Plastic Bags for Food Packaging: Food Safety and Recyclability

Did you know?

Plastic is a very versatile material originating from various elements.

The elements of the periodic table, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur are the bases of a variety of plastics used to make most of the products we use every day. Some plastics are clear and strong while some are lightweight. Plastics can be resistant to bacteria and can be used in food packaging and medical equipment.

Plastics are used in various types of food packaging and containers for a variety of reasons: they help protect food and prevent damage, ensure food safety and extend the freshness of food.

 

How Safe and Recyclable Plastic Food Packaging Are? Here Comes Identification Codes 

You must have seen the number 1 through 7 on the bottom or to the side of the plastic container. This number is the plastic “resin identification code”, also known as the “recycling number.” The number indicates the safety and ability to be recycled of plastic packaging.

Most of the plastic resins used in packaging (# 1 through # 7) are recyclable as well as are safe for food packaging.

TYPES OF FOOD PACKAGING WHICH IS SAFE AND RECYCLABLE

PETE or PET (recycling number 1 / resin ID code 1)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) is a lightweight semi-rigid or rigid plastic much more resistant to impacts that help protect food or liquids inside the container.

PET is commonly used in food packaging such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and water in individual format, ketchup, salad dressings, vitamins, vegetable oil bottles, and peanut butter containers.

HDPE (recycling number 2 / resin ID code 2)

HDPE or High-density polyethylene is a tough, opaque plastic that is lightweight. For example, an HDPE milk container may weigh only half a kilo, but be strong enough to hold about 3.78 liters of milk.

HDPE is commonly used in milk and juice containers, vinegar and squeeze butter bottles, and chocolate syrup containers, in addition to shopping bags.

PVC (recycling number 3 / resin ID code 3)

The element chlorine is the main ingredient used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common type of biologically and chemically resistant plastic. These two characteristics help PVC containers preserve the integrity of products, including medicines.

Clear vinyl is used as tamper-resistant OTC medicine packaging and in the shrinkage of various products. Vinyl is also used in blister packaging (packaging that has a cavity or gap), such as packages for refreshing mints or chewing gum, for example.

LDPE (recycling number 4 / resin ID code 4)

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is thinner than other resins and also has higher heat resistance. Due to its strength and flexibility, LDPE is used primarily in plastic film applications that require heat sealing, but it is also used in rigid applications.

LDPE is commonly used in food packaging to make coffee can lids, bread bags, holding rings for six-can soda packs, and fruit and vegetable bags used in grocery stores.

PP (recycling number 5 / resin ID code 5)

Polypropylene (PP) is a somewhat rigid plastic, but less brittle than other plastics. It can be translucent, opaque, or a different color when manufactured. In general, PP has a high melting point, which makes it particularly suitable for packaging products used in the microwave oven or dishwasher. PP is commonly used in food packaging for yogurt, maple syrup, cream cheese, and sour cream containers, as well as prescription drug bottles.

PS (recycling number 6 / resin ID code 6)

Polystyrene (PS) is a hard, colorless plastic without much flexibility. It can be foamed or poured into molds to be molded into plastic spoons or forks, for example.

How to use it? In food packaging, PS is used to make plastic lids, food and bakery trays, fast food containers and lids, hot containers, and egg cartons.

Other or O (recycling number 7 / resin ID code 7)

Other or O on the plastic container indicates that the container was manufactured with a plastic resin other than the six types of resins mentioned above, for example, the container could be polycarbonate or polylactide acid (PLA), or it could be made of more than one plastic resin material.

In food packaging, plastic-type # 7 is generally used to make almost 20-liter containers of water and some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, as well as cups, lids for coffee containers and clam containers.

 

How (and Why) to Bring Your Food Packaging to Life?

What you do with glass bottles, metal cans, disposable plates and egg cartons after use?  You are likely to throw them out as they are of no use now.

Have you ever thought you can reuse your food packaging?

Yes, many items from your household waste can be used again. They can be used in home decorations or can be the part of the art and craft project of your children.

Besides, you can protect the earth from turning into the large dumping ground. This is because 486,116,066 tons of household waste is thrown out every year, meaning that 50 tons of garbage in a second.

The domestic garbage either ends up in ocean, goes to the landfills or burning plants. Such waste disposable methods can pose great threat to the environment, land and water.

And food packaging makes one third of the total domestic waste.

So, it simply means that reusing the food packaging can make a big difference.

Recycling Food Packaging

Which Food Packaging Can Be Recycled?

It is essential to know which food packaging is good for recycling. For example, glass bottles, cans and old egg cartons can be used again. But, what to do with greasy pizza boxes, worn out grocery bags and rusted pans? Can you use them again? Although these items are made of recyclable materials, you like to think twice.

In this scenario, you can contact your local municipal recycling service. However, recycling rules may vary from city to city (and can be confusing at the same time). You can check out the recycling database of world.org to know which food packaging can be used again.

A previous use of an item also helps you know if it can become new again. If a glass container that once contained jam has been washed off properly, it can be used again. However, you should throw the plastic wrap covered with two year old cheese.

What to Do with Your Food Packaging?

From home décor, gifts to crafts, there are many creative ways to use your food packaging again. For example, you can deck up a glass jar with some ribbon and voila to turn it into a beautiful vase. Similarly, toilet paper tubes can be made into seasonal craft products for children.

Here we have listed some of the awesome yet simple ideas to reuse the food packaging:

 

Seedlings Starters:

Recycled Seedlings Starters

Most of the food containers can be used in your home gardening. For example, you can use yogurt container or egg carton as seedling starters. All you need to make few drainage holes in the bottom of your container. Later, fill it with the seeds.

 

Birdhouses:

Recycled Birdhouses

A half-gallon milk carton can serve as your birdhouse. Cut a round hole about 1¼ inch in the center of one side nearly four inches from the bottom. Decorate the outside with stickers or paint. Hang it from a tree branch and enjoy bird watching throughout the year.

 

Office Storage:

Recycled Office Supplies

Jars can be used to store your office supply including paper clips, rubber bands, pens, pencil, and screws.

 

Luminaries:

Recycled Luminaries

Create a festive mood by putting lights or other candles in the bottom of glass jars.

 

Plant Containers:

Recycled Plant Containers

Your soft drink bottles, card boards and carton can be used as plant containers.

You can explore more awesome ways to recycle your food packaging at Pinterest.

 

Bottom Line:

With these simple recycling ideas, you not only bring “trash” back to life, but also reduce the domestic waste output. However, it is equally true that you can’t recycle some of the items again and again. Over the time, they will be worn out, meaning that you have to throw them away. So, it makes sense to create less waste by investing on the reusable things. For example, you can invest in reusable glass or rubber food storage containers and use them instead of plastic bags and wraps. Likewise, buy reusable water bottles and coffee mugs instead of plastic or disposable cups.