Of course glass!!
Storage is an important segment in everybody's kitchen. The plastic containers that we use for storage may be dangerous and may pose serious health issues. It is important to know what plastics we use and how we use them.
Have you ever wondered over the numbers within the triangular chasing arrows underneath plastic utilities? Just because it has a number underneath, it doesn't always mean that they can be recycled or reused!! They share and warn you a story about the stuff too. Check out for the codes here and use plastics accordingly which may otherwise prove to be a great human health hazard.PLASTIC CODES
#1 (1 within chasing arrows) - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
USED IN - Most water bottles, aerated drinks etc.
INTENDED FOR - Single use applications.
RISK - Repeated use leads to leaching and bacterial growth. May leach carcinogens (cancer causing agent).
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Can be recycled, Should not be reused.
#2 (2 within chasing arrows) - HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
USED IN - Milk cans, shampoo bottles, detergent and oil bottles, toys etc.
INTENDED FOR - Regular continuous use.
RISK - No risks. It is considered as one of the safest form of plastic and is highly durable and weather resistant.
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Can be recycled and reused.
#3 (3 within chasing arrows) - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
USED IN - Plastic food wrapping, teething rings, toys, blister packing for many consumer products, sheathing material for computer tables, pipe-lines, garden hoses etc.
INTENDED FOR - Single use applications (if unavoidable).
RISK - Also called as 'POISON PLASTIC', contains numerous toxins, leaches throughout its life cycle.
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Cannot be recycled. Should not be reused as well.
#4 (4 within chasing arrows) - LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
USED IN - Shrink wraps, laundry bags, garbage disposal bags,
bread packings, grocery bags etc
INTENDED FOR - Single and multiple use.
RISK - No risks.
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Cannot be always recycled. Can be reused.
#5 (5 within chasing arrows) - PP (Polypropylene)
USED IN - disposable diapers, pails, plastic bottle tops, margarine and yogurt containers, straws, packing tape etc.
INTENDED FOR - Regular continuous use.
RISK - No risks. It has good heat resistance and acts as a chemical and moisture barrier.
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Can be recycled and reused.
#6 (6 within chasing arrows) - PS (Polystyrene)
USED IN - disposable styrofoam drinking cups, egg trays, foam packing, food packing, plastic cutlery etc.
INTENDED FOR - Single use. Avoid as much as possible.
RISK - highly risky, leaches styrene (especially on reheating in a microwave oven) which is a carcinogen, chemicals present in this type of plastic is linked with serious human health and reproductive dysfunction.
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Cannot be recycled. Cannot be reused.
#7 (7 within chasing arrows) - Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)
USED IN - Bottles, sippy cups, car parts etc.
RISK - Highly risky, leaches BPA (a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor)
RECYCLE OR REUSE - Cannot be recycled. Should not be reused.
Safe plastic numbers - 2 , 4 & 5.
REHEATING IN MICROWAVE OVEN
Don't reheat food in plastics in a microwave oven.. The microwave-safe plastic containers are not safe!!
Today, scientists are concerned only with the amount of plastic that enter the food on reheating in a microwave oven. The unacceptable truth is that, there is always some degree of plastic entering into your food when plastics are used for reheating!! So, restrict your plastics only to storage and never bring them to the oven.
It is wise to choose glass-ware for reheating in microwave ovens. They are naturally BPA free and prove a great substitute.
So, don't wait. Get your pantry revised with these gorgeous glass-wares.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For usage in ovens, it's safe to choose glasses that are made by corning. Glasses made of inferior glass tend to break or even explode. Always use the glass-ware only as directed in the manual.
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