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Fact 1
Reusing plastic beverage bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate, also called PET or PETE is as safe as using the new bottles, as long as the bottles are not subjected to heat. Cold seemingly does no damage, but heat may cause leaching of harmful pthalates into the liquids inside.
Fact 2
It is a myth that PET or PETE bottles release cancer-causing diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA or dioxin) when reused. In the first place, DEHA is not even used in the manufacturing process for PET or PETE bottles. In the second place, DEHA is not considered by the FDA to be a human carcinogenic substance.
Fact 3
Plastic bottles containing the chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA, are another story. The hard, usually transparent, plastic bottles, were intended for reuse and formerly found in baby bottles, children's sipper cups and similar items. However, fears that BPA leached into the container's contents -- causing reproductive and nervous system disruptions, led to an FDA ban of the substance in items intended for children. Other food and drink containers -- including most canned goods -- still contain BPA, though the FDA continues to assess possible health effects.
Fact 4
Reusing glass bottles and jars as containers for everything from home-dried foods to paper-clips saves you money by eliminating the need to buy storage containers. Just wash, dry and store.
Fact 5
The safest plastics to reuse for foods and beverages are those marked with numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. 1 or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and 2 or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) are among the safest and most recyclable plastics. Number 4, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is safe, but its manufacture creates organic pollutants. Number 5, Polypropylene (PP), while also safe, is difficult to recycle -- a good reason to reuse it instead.
Fact 6
The least safe plastics to reuse for foods and beverages are those containing bisphenol-A (BPA) -- usually polycarbonates with the "Other," code 7 on the bottom of most bottles; polystyrenes, which contain styrene and are marked with a number 6 -- usually these are fast-food containers of foam or brittle plastic; and polyvinylchlorides (PVC), generally marked with a 3.
Fact 7
Reusing steel food cans as pencil holders, luminaries or small planters is a good way to keep them out of the landfill, but because they have a plastic coating on the inside that contains bisphenol-A (BPA), they probably should not be reused for food storage or for cooking.
Fact 8
It is better to reuse glass and recycle aluminum. Glass uses more fuel and contributes more greenhouse gases when recycled than an equivalent amount of aluminum. Aluminum has a greater negative environmental effect when made from virgin materials, so recycling aluminum is obviously more environmentally responsible to recycle aluminum than glass, which you should reuse. It's also easier to reuse a jar than a pop can.
Fact 9
Reusing a drinking glass and drinking water straight from your tap, instead of buying a bottle of drinking water, not only saves you a lot of money, but it helps save the environment, too. Similarly, drinking beer from a keg instead of individual recyclable containers has a positive environmental impact. However, reusing glass beer and water bottles is as good as using a reusable drinking glass.
Fact 10
Both steel and aluminum cans can be cut with tin snips to provide raw material for craft and art projects, but do not solder cans because the linings are plastic number 7.