Ask TSL: Are All #7 Plastics Toxic?

Posted on March 7th, 2008 by Alicia

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Oh! the EVIL #7 recycling category and its never-ending confusion! I think its time to shed a little light on the subject. So here we go . . .

The short answer to the question is “No.” Not all #7 plastics are made with toxic chemicals.

Let’s look at a basic overview of what plastics this “other/miscellaneous” recycling category includes:

  • EVIL: Polycarbonate, a clear, hard plastic that contains hormone-disrupting bisphenol-a. Found in Nalgene Lexan and other sports bottles, baby bottles and food containers. May appear as #7 PC.
  • NOT EVIL: Mixed or layered plastics: use of the code #7 indicates that the product is made with a resin other than categories #1-6, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. Found in three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles. This is also where the Gerber Graduates Baby Food and the Baby Bjorn Bibs and Plate and Spoon fall. May appear as #7 Other.

I like the way Jeremiah of ZRecs explains it:

The #7 plastics category includes a lot of newer plastics and layered plastics as well. It is actually a common number to see on food items that have multiple layers of different plastics for preservative or breatheability factors.

So when deciding whether to throw out your baby bottles and dishes marked with a #7, keep in mind that they may not be the EVIL kind of #7 plastic. If you’re unsure, contact the company and ask them directly whether the product in question contains any bisphenol-a (BPA) or phthalates.

P.S. Newer plastics included in the #7 other category are: PES, Tritan Co-polyester, PPSU and bioplastics (PLA).

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Filed under: Ask TSL, Bisphenol-a, PES, Safer Materials, Toxic Chemicals

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  • I've run into this confusion, too. I discovered that Dole fruits in the plastic containers DO contain BPA's and are, therefore, evil.

    http://soapchix.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/the-fa...

    Soapchix Tiff
  • Lojack
    The blue plastic lids for Pyrex containers are NOT marked. But I called the company and they said the lids are #7. They declined to tell me what exactly it was made of, saying it was "proprietary information". I specifically asked whether the lids contained any BPA or phthalates, and after putting me on hold to check with a supervisor, the customer service rep assured me that the ingredient list DID NOT CONTAIN EITHER BPA OR PHTHALATES.

    But: why don't these companies come right out and say so???
  • JOANNE
    i was just wondering if the chicco baby bottles contains BPA, they have the #7 at the bottom of their bottle. thanks
  • Hi Joanne,

    I'm unfamiliar with Chicco product materials, so I contacted them to learn more about their products. I'll post more when I know more!

    Alicia
  • Hi Lojack,

    Thanks for sharing the great news about Pyrex dishes!

    Alicia
  • I'm so glad you blogged about this. I stopped using Gerber when I saw the dreaded "7" about 5 weeks ago. I'm so relieved that they are okay! I hope the same is true for their single serving juice bottles. We haven't bought them in 2 years but my older son plays with them when he is pretending to cook.
  • Tina
    Do you know about the #7 in the single serving Mott's containers.. it's #7 other, but the customer service rep I spoke with was not sure?
  • Alisa Dornau
    What about the Wadda Juice - it does contain the #7. I have not contacted the company yet - but will.
  • C. Weldon
    Does anyone use the Learning Curve Breastflow bottles? I just contacted the company today to find out what type of plastics are used...will try to remember to post the response. My son just turned one so I will probably switch to sippy cups soon anyhow - already have and like the Born Free cups. Just curious if anyone knows about those bottles!
    Thanks!
  • C. Weldon
    I just received a response from First Years...too bad I didn't ask this question 9 months ago!

    "The First Years is committed to providing parents with safe, reliable feeding products for their children. Based on the United States Food & Drug Administration’s support of the use of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins in food and beverage containers, The First Years is confident that its bottles containing such materials are safe. Consumers can contact The American Plastics Council at 703-741-5588 with additional questions regarding the use of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins or Bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical building block that is used to make such substances."
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