Food grade plastic
Plastic buckets are made in different ways for different purposes. Some are made for general storage, others for holding chemicals and still others for food storage. It’s important to know which kind of plastic bucket you have because you don’t want to accidentally store food in a bucket that’s not food grade.
FDA approved food grade plastic
FDA approved food grade plastic is safe for use in contact with food. This type of plastic is made of materials that have been tested and approved by the FDA for use in food-related applications.
BPA in food grade plastic
BPA, or bisphenol A, is a synthetic compound that is used in the manufacturing of certain plastics and resins. Some food and beverage containers are made with BPA-containing materials. Migration of BPA from these containers into foods or beverages can occur, particularly when the containers are exposed to heat or damaged. Possible health effects of BPA exposure have been the subject of much scientific research.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of BPA in food contact materials. Currently, FDA has no reason to believe that there is any safety concern with the use of BPA in food containers. However, FDA continues to support scientific research on this issue and is taking steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in food containers.
Plastic buckets
If you are looking for a food grade plastic bucket, it is important to know that not all plastic buckets are created equal. Some plastic buckets are made from a lower quality plastic that is not safe for food storage. However, there are also many high quality food grade plastic buckets on the market that are perfect for storing food.
Food grade plastic buckets
These plastic buckets are perfect for storing food. They are made of food grade plastic, so you can be sure that your food will be safe from contaminants. These buckets come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Non-food grade plastic buckets
There are different types of plastic, each with their own recycling symbol. The recycling symbols range from 1-7, with 1 being the most commonly recycled. The best type of plastic to use for food storage is either a 2, 4 or 5. These plastics are less likely to leach chemicals into your food.
Plastic buckets that are not made from food-grade plastic can leach chemicals into your food. If you must use a non-food grade bucket, be sure to line it with a food-grade liner before adding any food or liquid.
Recycling plastic buckets
It’s generally recommended that you don’t reuse plastic food containers, but what about plastic buckets? While it’s unlikely that you’ve been storing your food in a plastic bucket, you may have one around the house that you use for other purposes. Let’s take a look at whether or not all plastic buckets are food grade.
Recycling food grade plastic buckets
Only recycle food grade plastic buckets. These are typically made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and have a resin identification code (RIC) of 2.
To recycle, clean out your bucket and remove the lid. If the bucket has a handle, cut it off and recycle it separately. Once the bucket is clean and dry, recycle it with your other HDPE plastics.
Recycling non-food grade plastic buckets
There are few recycling options for non-food grade plastic buckets, but there are a few ways you can dispose of them responsibly.
Most importantly, make sure the buckets are clean and dry before you recycle them. If the buckets are dirty or wet, they can contaminate other recyclables and make it difficult for recycling facilities to process them.
The best way to recycle plastic buckets is to take them to a local recycling center that accepts #5 plastics. If you can’t find a local recycling center that accepts #5 plastics, you can check with your local waste management department to see if they have any special programs for recycling non-food grade plastics.
Another option is to reuse the buckets for non-food storage or as planters. If you do reuse the buckets, be sure to clean them thoroughly first and line them with a heavy-duty trash bag to prevent any leakage.