Plastic #3: PVC
#3 plastic (Polyvinyl chloride or PVC) is a common plastic that contains numerous toxic compounds and thus is not accepted for recycling in most locations, including Floyd County. It comes in two forms: soft and rigid. Soft PVC is used in a large array of household products such as clear food packaging, cling wrap, some squeeze bottles, and shower curtains. Rigid PVC is used in applications such as plumbing pipes, credit cards, human and pet toys, rain gutters, teething rings, IV fluid bags, medical tubing, and oxygen masks. Whenever possible, it is best to avoid using PVC.
Resources
PVC: Another Problematic Plastic
https://earth911.com/home-garden/pvc-another-problematic-plastic/
Poison Plastic: The Toxic Life Cycle of PVC
https://www.ecocenter.org/plastic-pollution-and-zero-waste/poison-plastic-toxic-life-cycle-pvc
Risks Associated with the Presence of Polyvinyl Chloride in the Environment and Methods for Its Disposal and Utilization
How to store produce without plastic
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/05/18/how-to-store-produce-without-plastic/
The Berkeley Farmers Market has put together a huge list of ways to store produce without plastic.
Additional Information
From Earth911:
The chloride monomer in PVC is a known human carcinogen. PVC can also contain other Red List materials including heavy metals and phthalates, which can off-gas from vinyl products like shower curtains. Also, PVC’s most harmful component, vinyl chloride, can off-gas from PVC products, but only when they are new. (Think of the scent of a new plastic shower curtain or that new-car smell.) PVC is a persistent organic pollutant source material because the manufacture and disposal of chlorinated polymers can result in the production of extremely toxic dioxins.
Last updated on November 22nd, 2024