Warning triangles on water bottles

BPA (Bisphenol A) is bad.This is common knowledge to most people who are buying plastic items .Yet they do not realise that there are procedures in place to prevent the effects of this harmful chemical and to efficiently recycle products correctly, and they are indicated with little triangle signs on the side or bottom of your bottle – this is not just part of the decoration.

The triangles are usually in the form of a small embossed symbol in the bottle; alternatively they are printed in minuscule next to the fine print, so you will have to inspect the bottle to find your warning sign.

You need to know that there are seven numbers and seven categories, each defining which plastic is safer. Numbers one, two, four and five are the safest for food, infants and children, and are the simplest to recycle, while numbers three, six and seven are the plastics to stay away from and are difficult to recycle. With this as a basic outline, the triangles actually assist further by informing you of the exact type of plastic you are using and the best way to recycle the product, making the recycling process easier.

BPA is a concerning element because it is still being used, despite the concerns of harmful toxins leaking estrogen into the water, affecting babies’ development and, according to the researchers at the University of Cincinnati, reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy among cancer patients. BPA has also been used in production since 1957 in the hardening of plastics and has recently come under investigation, while BPA-free products are now stocked in the shelves.

Therefore, when buying and recycling plastic, look out for the guidance of the little triangles that are not just there for aesthetics but to actually there to assist you in making the best choice for the environment and for you.