Which Plastic Bottle Is Good For Daily Use?

I was never worried about the plastic bottles until recently when my kid's friend's mother educated me on this topic.I did a good research on the web to see which is good.I hope this will help other parents as well. Please do leave in your comments.

For getting to know the quality of plastic ,check the recycling symbol underneath the bottle.Inside the recycling symbol ,there will be a number.The number can range anywhere between 1 to 7.That number actually represents the type of plastic which is used in the manufacturing of that particular type of bottle.

What does this mean?

Different types of plastics are sometimes referred to as resins and the numeric symbols are known as Resin ID Codes.The following chart represents the ‘Resin ID Codes’ or ‘Plastic Identification Number’ (PIN) found on each plastic bottle.

1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)

Light weight, low-cost, and easy to make, PET is the most prevalent plastic material in use today. PET is mostly used in soft drink bottles, food containers, and microwaveable food trays.Easy to recycle.

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

HDPE is sturdier and susceptible to chemical corrosion, this plastic poses a fairly meager risk of spreading chemicals when used as receptacle for food and drinks. It is chiefly used as containers for common household chemicals (shampoos, detergents, etc.), garbage bags, tubs for short shelf life food products like yogurt, etc.Easy to recycle

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)  or V or DEHA

Polyvinyl Chloride has been known as a health hazard - it has been established to frequently leach chemicals when used as containers. PVC is commonly used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil ,peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles. It has chlorine and will emit toxins if ignited. PVC should be avoided in food preparation or food packaging.

PVC is well known to be associated with liver cancer. DEHA is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is the least recyclable.


4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )

Low Density Polyethylene is the material present in bread wrapping, sheets, film packaging,gro­cery store bags etc. Tough and elastic, it is ideal for packaging, insulation, and sealing.

Safe but hard to recycle.

5 - PP (Polypropylene)

PP is most suited for boiling liquid containers and is likewise used in brooms, straws, ketchup bottles,baby bottles etc.


Safe but hard to recycle.

6 - PS (Polystyrene)

PS is an excellent component for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), generically known as styrofoam. It is manufactured into disposable food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups.

Styrene can leach from polystyrene and is toxic to the brain and nervous system. It also has been found to affect red blood cells, liver, kid­neys and stomach.Hard to recycle.

7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)

All OTHER lumps materials not belonging to above classifications. It is commonly present in baby feeding containers, flak vests, camping jugs, computer cases,sport water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic sippy cups and some clear plastic cutlery etc.

Polycarbonate can leach Bisphenol A, a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen. It was found to stimulate prostate cancer, produce ovarian dysfunction, genetic damage, etc.

So finally which is good for us?

It's always best to use glass or steel bottles or utensils.But incase if we don't have any other option ,the use plastic with the following numbers.

#2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) OR
#4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) OR
#5 PP (polypropylene)