- Plastic containers are made from polyethylene. The two types and their uses are defined by resin codes. "PET," or "PETE," stands for polyethylene terephthalate. This is the plastic used for water, juice and soda bottles, food jars, microwavable food containers and other food containers. "HDPE" stands for high-density polyethylene. Common items made with this grade of plastic include: milk, water and juice containers; shampoo, detergent and household cleaners; grocery store bags; shipping containers; and liners for cereal boxes.
- Plastic containers often are made from other recycled plastic. Usually, the recycled containers are used for food, drinks, hygiene products, detergents and motor oils. Non-container items made with recycled plastic containers include fencing, picnic tables, floor tiles and even plastic lumber.
- Recycling plastic helps the environment and helps create new materials. In contrast, when plastic bottles are dumped in a landfill, they take approximately 1000 years to decompose.
- Among the most used containers are plastic grocery store bags. Not only are they used to carry groceries home, but most households reuse and recycle them. As a matter of fact, plastic grocery bags are more economical, use less energy, and are reused more often than paper grocery store bags. They may be reused as garbage can liners, lunch bags and countless other purposes around the house.
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Warnings have circulated in recent years that caution against using plastic in the microwave oven. The fear is that chemicals will leach into food that is heated in plastic.
The truth is that the issue may been blown out of proportion. In fact, some plastic containers are made specifically for safe use in a microwave. However, you should not use plastic grocery bags, plastic wrap or plastic that was not intended for use in the microwave to heat food. Some plastics may melt under these high-heat conditions. Using microwave-safe plastic containers will give you the results you want, without getting melted plastic or chemicals in your food.
