What is Facts on PET?
Facts on PET is an educational program designed to address misconceptions about the link between BPA and PET. Our goal is to clarify any misconceptions consumers or reporters have about a link between single-serve bottles and BPA. Our message is simple:
Most single-serve plastic bottles, including those for water, soft drinks and juices, are made with PET, which does not contain BPA. PET is globally recognized as a safe, recyclable packaging material.
What is the difference between BPA and PET?
Simply put, there is no link between BPA and PET. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. PET (also known as PETE) is designated by a recyclable “1.” Most often found in single-serve plastic bottles, such as those used for water or soft drinks, PET is a safe, recyclable material that contains no BPA. BPA, which stands for bisphenol-A, is one of the building blocks of another type of plastic called polycarbonate, which is most often found in reusable rigid containers and electronic devices.
How can consumers differentiate between PET and products containing BPA?
All plastic containers should have a number on the bottom that designates the recycling stream for that product. PET containers are usually labeled with the letters “PET” or “PETE” and the recyclable “1.” Polycarbonate products that contain BPA are one of several materials labeled with the recycling symbol “7.” However, the recycling symbol “7” is a catch-all category that also includes other plastic and bio-resins that do not contain BPA.
What is your position on BPA?
Facts on PET supports the efforts of regulators to ensure that plastics are safe for the public through scientific testing and analysis. We believe that public policy decisions should be based on the best available scientific information.
What has the Canadian government done with regards to products containing BPA?
The Canadian government determined that there are potential health risks for infants exposed to the chemical BPA. As a result, Health Canada has stated its intent to take steps to reduce infant exposure to BPA by banning the use of this chemical in baby bottles and infant formula cans lined with BPA.
What action is being taken in the United States to ban products containing BPA?
Legislation banning children’s products made with polycarbonate containing BPA, such as baby bottles and “sippy” cups, has been introduced to the US Senate. Other states, such as California and Connecticut, are also considering legislation banning the use of materials made with BPA in children’s products.
Aren’t single-serve plastic bottles harmful to the environment?
Most single-serve plastic bottles are made with PET, a lightweight, low-cost and recyclable plastic. Though it takes energy and petroleum to create PET, it is 100% recyclable. Where there is support and recycling infrastructure in place, the materials can be beneficially reused in a wide variety of products. Unfortunately, recycling rates in much of the United States are disappointingly low. We encourage the recycling of PET and all other recyclable materials. For more information on PET recycling please check out the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers’ website at http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/.
What has Facts on PET done to encourage recycling?
Recycling of all plastics, including PET, is an important component of sustainability and something that we strongly encourage and support. Our leadership team includes the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APR), which represents companies that process more than 90% of all the post-consumer plastic in North America.
Is PET safe?
Numerous tests have found PET to be a safe material for the storage of food products. For research on the subject, see the International Life Sciences Institute white paper on PET at http://www.ilsi.org/file/ILSIPET.pdf.
Don’t PET bottles leech antimony?
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst that is sometimes used in PET production. Numerous tests have found that the level of antimony in bottled beverages falls well below even the strictest regulatory guidelines designed to protect public health. (See the International Life Sciences Institute white paper on PET at http://www.ilsi.org/file/ILSIPET.pdf.) In addition, some resin producers are proactively shifting toward other catalysts that would reduce or eliminate the need for antimony in the production of PET.
What has the industry been doing to educate the public on plastics and health?
The industry as a whole has provided information about plastics and health primarily via the Web. The industry bases its educational material on research from governmental organizations, independent laboratories, academics and in-house testing. The Facts on PET’s educational campaign represents a more proactive approach to addressing misconceptions about PET and BPA by providing outreach to media and other organizations that are communicating inaccurate information.
Have a question about PET, BPA or Facts on PET? Please e-mail us at facts@factsonpet.com.