FAQs

Are bioplastics an acceptable alternative to plastic?

 
It depends. Bioplastics only break down in a composting environment. If they are discarded like normal plastics, they behave the same as plastics in the environment, meaning they will not break down. If choosing bioplastics, make sure they are “certified compostable” and end up being composted instead of being thrown away.  

Is recycled plastic a suitable alternative to plastic?  

We highly recommend choosing reusable materials or items that are derived from natural products such as bamboo, sugarcane, or other highly biodegradable products. Only certain types of plastics actually end up getting recycled, so some recycled plastic products aren’t actually made from fully recycled plastics.   

How do I know if an item is made from plastic?

Plastics are referred to as many different names. Here are some of the most common names for plastic: 

Plastic #1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 

Plastic #2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) 

Plastic #3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 

Plastic #4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) 

Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP) 

Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS) 

Plastic #7: Other 

EPS : Expanded Polystyrene