How To Decode the Hidden Dangers Of Plastic Bottles

The portability of recycled plastic bottles has made toting water convenient, but just how healthy is reusing them?

For years, glass has been out, and plastic has been in. Why? Because virtually unbreakable plastic makes drinking your beverage of choice at the office, gym, or nursery more convenient. But, before you take another sip, did you know there may be bacteria lurking in the bottle you are reusing?

Fortunately, plastic bottles, and other storage containers, are assigned a resin identification code (that's fancy talk for the triangle circling a number on the bottom of plastic bottles). This system has been in place for nearly 20 years to help with recycling, but it can also help with consumption. How so? What do the numbers mean?

For answers, Mainstreet asked Elizabeth Royte, the author of Bottlemania, to reveal the hidden meaning of the numbers on your bottle, and to explain what's lurking behind the labels:

NUMBER ONE
Most beverages, including Poland Spring, Dasani (KO) and even Snapple (DPS) bottles carry this number to reflect that they are bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for consumer use. The narrow-necked bottles are not made for repeated use. The design of the bottle means they’re difficult to clean. And, that means bacteria, from your hands and mouth, can grow in the bottle over time, says Royte.
MainStreet's Take: Always wash out with soap and water before reusing.

NUMBER TWO
At the grocery store, when you come across one gallon plastic containers and 2.5 gallon jugs of water, you’ll see this number on the plastic.