What to do with plastic baby food containers

50+ Fantastic Ways to Re-Use Baby Food Jars

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Last updated on March 29, 2022

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50+ baby food jar crafts and creative ways to re-use baby food jars so you don’t have to put throw them in the trash.

If you’ve had a baby in recent years, there’s a good chance you’ve acquired quite a collection of baby food jars. Baby food jars ares so cute and chubby, and such a great size. If you’re like me, you find it hard to thrown them away. If that’s the case, your baby food jar collection could be growing at an alarming rate, and you’re probably looking for things to make with all of those jars.

Well, you’re in luck! One of my Facebook followers recently asked for ways that she could re-purpose her baby food jars, and the HH community responded with dozens of great crafts made with baby food jars along with practical ways to use baby food jars in and around the home.

I’ve gathered up their best suggestions and added a few of my own favourite uses for baby food jars, and I’ve come up with this long list of ideas for you.

From the craft room to the classroom to the bathroom and beyond, here are over 50 ways for you to use leftover baby food jars so you don’t have to toss them out.

50+ Baby Food Jar Crafts

Click on the links below to see project details.

Ways to use baby food jars in the classroom or craft room:

Crayon Caddy: Paint several baby food jars and store co-ordinating, coloured crayons in them.
Fill baby food jars with water, and set on the art table to rinse paint brushes in.
Give each student in the class a baby food jar filled with cream, and make homemade butter together.
Make a mini “ocean in a jar” in a baby food jar. Pretty on classroom window sill or fun to play with.
Soak dried out markers in baby food jars to make liquid watercolour paint.
Make and store homemade finger paint in baby food jars.
Baby food jars make great paint and glue pots at the easel. Lids keep them from drying out between uses.
Punch holes in the lids (with a nail) and use jars to store and dispense glitter.
Make I-Spy Jars in baby food jars.
Make collection jars for the preschool classroom.
Fill with small amounts of water for syringe transfer work trays in preschool or kindergarten
Paint tall baby food jars with food coloring, water and glue for a frosted look. Store pens, pencils and paintbrushes in them.

Things to make for kids with baby food jars:

Play dough jars: fill several baby food jars with different colours of homemade play dough for a kids’ gift basket.
Set some baby food jars out in the rain and make this scented rain paint.
In the play kitchen: fill baby food jars with flour, rice, lentils etc. Glue the lids on, and kids can pretend-cook with them.
Bug Jars – wrap a pipe cleaner handle around the top, and go exploring in the yard.
Make these cute and quirky emoji jars for a kid’s dresser or desk.
Glue painted toy animals on baby food jar lids, use as party favours.
Fill with homemade slime or silly putty to put in loot bags.
Make a tooth fairy jar.
Teach kids how to manage their allowance with 3 tall baby food jars labeled SPEND, SAVE, BANK.
Make an advent or countdown calendar.
Fill baby food jars with layers of “coloured sand” (ground sidewalk chalk mixed with salt).
Use baby food jars to make mini lava-lamps.

Ways to re-use baby food jars in the kitchen:

Make magnetic spice jars to store on the refrigerator door
Organize your spice drawer with baby food jars.
Make Smore’s treats in baby food jars. Hand them out around the campfire or at a party.
Make a window-sill herb garden with baby food jars.
Fill baby food jars with condiments for camping or a bbq.
Sterilize jars and lids, and reuse baby food jars for homemade baby food. The serving sizes are perfect.

Gifts and party favours to make with baby food jars:

Baby food jars make great wedding favours. Decorate and place at each table setting.
These baby food jar lanterns were hung in a tree at an outdoor wedding.
Make Lego Head Jars as party favours for a Lego party.
Make mini calming jars for kids or co-workers
Make a wish jars or dream jars for your family and friends.
Give a gift of homemade bath salts or sugar scrub in a baby food jar.
Make these cupcakes in a jar to give to teachers, neighbours and friends.
Make a craft kit for a child by filling jars with pom poms, sequins, foam stickers, and beads.
Hot Cocoa in a baby food jar: layer hot chocolate, shaved chocolate and mini marshmallows in a jar. Cover the lid with a swatch of fabric tied with a ribbon.

Other ways to use baby food jars around the home and garden:

Store pony tail holders, Q-tips, and hair clips in baby food jars on the bathroom counter.
Make a spill proof nail-polish remover kit with a baby food jar.
Plant succulents in baby food jars to display on a porch or patio.
Hang these colourful baby food luminaries from a tree in your yard.
Baby food jars are great for storing seeds for the garden.
Make Photo Globes by placing your child’s photo inside a baby food jar.
Organize your spare change: each jar holds a different type of coin.
Use baby food jars to hold paper clips, thumb tacks etc. on a desk or in a drawer in an office.
Travel jewelry keeper for earrings and rings.
A Mini sewing kit in a baby food jar is great for travel or the office.
Fill baby food jars with Puffs, fishy crackers, Cheerios, nuts etc. Keep in the diaper bag for the kids.
Nail the lids of baby food jars to the underside of a shelf to store screws, nails and craft supplies.
Store several baby wipes in a baby food jar and keep in your purse or diaper bag.

Baby food jar Christmas crafts:

Turn a baby food jar into a snowman Christmas tree ornament.
Make festive holiday votive candle holders.
Make sparkly tea light luminaries in baby food jars.
Baby food jars make great miniature snow globes.
Make Reindeer food for Christmas Eve.

What if you STILL have leftover baby food jars?

If you have more baby food jars than you could possibly ever use, even after reviewing all of the ideas, please consider giving your collection to a teacher, a crafter or a daycare provider. Most will be happy to put your little glass jars to good use.

Looking for more crafts to make with your recyclables? Check out:

Re-purposed Denim Craft Aprons

Re-purposed Denim Bibs

25 Creative Ways to Re-use your Keurig’s K-Cups

22 Ways to Re-Use Cardboard Tubes

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Jackie Currie

Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.

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Baby Food Storage Containers (For All Budgets)

Find the best baby food storage containers in glass, BPA-free plastic, and stainless steel, with options for jars, containers, reusable pouches, lidded bowls and more. I’ve included options for all budgets that will last and last!

Baby Food Storage Containers

Make the most of all of that nutritious baby food—whether purees, BLW, or finger foods–with the best baby food storage container options. These will help you safely store food in the fridge and freezer, and give you options for packing for daycare, too.

Included in this post are containers made from glass, stainless steel, and BPA-free plastic. I have a mix of jars, bowls with lids, reusable bags, reusable pouches, and more so you can use what works best for your life and routine.

Best Glass and Ceramic Baby Food Storage Containers

Glass and ceramic storage containers are safe from any potential issues you may find with plastic, are easy to clean, are durable, and last for years. You can reuse them again and again without issue and they come in a range of sizes for storing baby food—and then kid food as the littles grow.

WeeSprout Jars

These jars, which come in both 4- and 8-ounce sizes, are amazingly useful. We’ve used them daily for over a year and have never had an issue with them. They are easy to clean, the lids screw on tightly, and they are incredibly durable.

AIGI Ceramic Containers

These ceramic containers are another wonderful option, especially for storing slightly larger portions. They are great for leftovers, meal-prepping, and even serving the baby food as a bowl.

How to Freeze Baby Food

Freezing baby food, whether as a way to store leftovers or as a way to batch cook it, is easy and helpful. You can simply add the baby food to an ice cube tray, freeze the cubes, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for longterm storage.

To thaw, place 1-2 cubes (or more, according to the portions your baby is eating) in a container in the fridge overnight.

You can also freeze baby food in reusable pouches.

Favorite Reusable Pouches for Baby Food

Reusable pouches are a great way to store baby food in both the fridge and the freezer. There are a lot of options and my favorite ones are below.

Squeasy Gear

This has long been one of my favorite baby feeding products as it’s one of the few reusable pouches that doesn’t come with the possibility of a mess—there’s a little guard that prevents baby from squirting out the food (whether on purpose or by accident).

It’s easy to clean, comes in a few different sizes (we like to start with the 3.5 ounce one) and can store baby food in the fridge or freezer.

Weesprout Reusable Pouches

BPA-free plastic pouches are easy to fill (they fill from a zipper that opens and closes along the bottom) and store wonderfully in the fridge and freezer. This is a helpful way to portion out baby food and have it ready to go.

To wash, remove the screw-top and open the bottom. Let water run through and use a small bottle brush as needed to clean. Prop open to dry on a bottle drying rack.

Best Baby Food Bowls with Storage Lids

Having a bowl or two with a tight fitting lids means that it’s easy to serve and store baby food in the same container. These silicone bowls from WeeSprout are a great option that you can use throughout childhood. They’re easy to clean and are freezer and dishwasher safe.

Favorite BPA-Free Plastic Baby Food Containers

With all of the options for plastic containers on the market, it can be hard to know which ones really last. My two favorite are below, which I recommend after 6 years of real-life testing. These are the only two brands that have held up to repeated washings and haven’t scratched easily.

Beaba Clip Containers

These containers, which come in a few sizes so you can use the one that fits your purpose, stack for easy storage. They are easy to clean and made from a safer type of plastic. The lids screw on tightly enough to store liquids and purees.

They’re also great for finger foods.

Replay Recycled Snack Stackers

These colorful containers are great for snacks and also for storing food in the fridge or pantry. They are made from recycled milk jugs and twist together for easy storage.

Best Stainless Baby Food Containers

Stainless is a great option for food storage since it’s a safe material that tends to be very durable. It’s also very easy to clean. The downside is that you can’t heat food in this container, so you’d have to transfer it to another if you need to warm it up. My favorite options are below.

WeeSprout Stainless Food Containers

Sold in a set of three, these stainless containers come with tight-fitting silicone lids. They are perfect for storing any type of baby food and are safe in the fridge, freezer, and dishwasher.

Everusely Stainless Containers

Sold as containers for salad dressing, these stainless containers are actually a great size for baby food at just under 2 ounces. And then you can use them for years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to store baby food in glass or plastic?

You can use either. If using plastic, look for BPA-free plastic and avoid putting it into the microwave or dishwasher to help the plastic stay in tact. Discard it if you see any scratches.

What is the best way to store homemade baby food?

You can store homemade baby food in the fridge in small containers for up to 5 days, or you can freeze it in reusable pouches or in ice cube trays. If doing ice cube trays, transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag for longer term storage.

Is it safe to store baby food in plastic containers?

It can be. Look for BPA-free plastic and avoid putting it into the microwave or dishwasher to help the plastic stay in tact. Avoid acidic food like citrus or tomato-based foods, as those can break down the material, too. Discard it if you see any scratches.

Best Tips for Success

Care for your storage containers according to manufacturer’s directions.
To lengthen the life of BPA-free plastic, hand wash it rather than putting it into the dishwasher.
Let dry fully before storing.
Check out my fav Snack Containers for more food storage options.

Related Recipes

I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below to share!

How to use plastic packaging without harm

Plastic is perhaps the most common material for packaging today, including food. But how safe is it for health and the environment? The Internet is filled with rumors about the terrible consequences that the use of plastic can cause. We learned how much these myths can be trusted.

Types of plastic

In Russia, as in many other countries, there are seven types of labeling for plastic products, including for various types of packaging. Each of them has its own letter designation and number. nine0003

PET(E) or PET, 1 (polyethylene terephthalate)
HDPE or HDPE, 2 (LDPE or HDPE)

As a rule, packaging for drinks, vegetable oil and other liquids (for example, household chemicals) is made from these two types of plastic.

PVC or PVC, 3 (polyvinylchloride)

Previously, disposable tableware and cups, meat trays were produced from this type of plastic, but now this use is gradually being abandoned. “PVC packaging can adversely affect food products,” explains Petr Bobrovsky, Chairman of the Technical Committee No. 223 “Packaging” of Rosstandart. – Therefore, this material is replaced by others. In addition, PVC is more difficult to recycle than other types of polymers.” nine0003

LDPE or LDPE, 4 (LDPE or LDPE)

Can you imagine what a plastic vial of hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine looks like? So, this is PVD 4. But the “four” that is more familiar to us is packages and films.

PP or PP, 5 (polypropylene)

Polypropylene is used to make containers for food storage (containers for sauerkraut, jars for sour cream, etc.), bottles for shampoos and bags for packaging bread or cereals (transparent and rustling, not looking like LDPE bags). nine0003

PS or PS, 6 (polystyrene)

Polystyrene is, for example, the same foam. Some types of disposable tableware are produced from PS 6. For example, trays with instant noodles. And here you have to be very careful. “Polystyrene has a very low threshold temperature,” says Tatyana Nagorskaya, Chairman of the Board of the Association for Ecology and Environmental Protection “Separate Collection”. “When heated, it begins to release toxins (the same styrene) even before it starts to melt.” So pouring boiling water into such baths is strictly prohibited. nine0003

Important

Pay attention to the label - do not buy hot drinks in cups with the PS 6 icon. The same warning applies to hot dishes in disposable dishes with the PS 6 label.

The remaining polymers are marked with the number 7 and are marked with the letters OTHER.

This group includes all other types of plastics, including alloys from various types, which are almost not recyclable. nine0003

This labeling was introduced to make it easier to sort plastic for recycling.

To heat or not to heat: can it be used in a microwave oven?

Almost all of the listed types of plastic are not intended for use at temperatures above 80 degrees. The exceptions are polypropylene (PP 5) and polycarbonate (there is no separate digital designation for it, this plastic will be marked with the number 7). nine0003

Important

Plastic dishes for heating in a microwave oven must have a special marking. Even if the container is made of heat-resistant polypropylene and polycarbonate, only the microwave icon can indicate that the container can be used in this way.

The fact is that in a microwave oven the temperature can be even higher than the limit mark for PP 5 (which is more than 100 degrees). In order to confirm the suitability of the product for use in microwave ovens, the manufacturer must carry out the necessary tests. nine0003

“The temperature at which you can use the packaging of a particular material depends on many factors,” continues Petr Bobrovsky. - The composition of the material is important here. For example, a PET bottle for drinks can even withstand temperatures of 75 degrees, but only if the manufacturer has chosen the material formulation accordingly.”

By the way, the corresponding marking should also be on the food product: the recognizable “glass-fork” symbol. nine0003

Do toxic substances get into products from the packaging?

A recent 90,078 study of 90,079 American scientists published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology showed that plastic can indeed be toxic to humans. This is reported by Consumer Reports - an organization, like Roskachestvo, which is a member of the International Assembly of Consumer Testing Organizations. What makes plastic products poisonous is the introduction of new chemicals during the manufacturing process, or substances that the manufacturer may add to impart color or flexibility to the product. According to scientists, the "basic" substance of all the materials listed above may not in itself pose a danger. But their combination or interaction with the environment can make the product hazardous to health. That is, harmful substances can migrate into the product that is stored in plastic. nine0003

In particular, the insidious bisphenol A appears in a Western study. This substance is used as a hardener in the manufacture of plastics.

In the vastness of the Web today there are rumors that bisphenol A causes irreparable harm to humans. Indeed, American scientists have confirmed that certain chemicals in plastics, including bisphenol A and phthalates, can adversely affect our health. Studies have shown that bisphenol A can cause metabolic diseases, prostate and breast cancer, obesity, infertility, and even attention deficit disorder. And phthalates, according to American scientists, affect hormones, which can lead to disturbances in the development and functioning of the reproductive organs. nine0003

However, it should be remembered that not all plastic products contain bisphenol A. Pay attention to the labeling of plastic items, avoid products labeled "PVC 3".

According to Petr Bobrovsky, in plastic packaging, which is on the Russian market, the migration of chemicals exists, but in acceptable quantities. For packaging, these standards are specified in the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 005/2011 "On the safety of packaging" and GOSTs for specific types of packaging. nine0003

For reference

In the process of testing drinking water without gas , carried out by Roskachestvo, no traces of migration of toxic substances were recorded. Later, within the framework of the examination of children's drinking water , the products were examined for the safety of packaging, including the presence of phthalates. They are found in many plastics and migrate very quickly. Basically, phthalates are emitted from non-food plastics, in contrast to polymeric materials permitted by the Rospotrebnadzor authorities for contact with drinking water. According to the results of the study, no toxic substances migrating into the water from the packaging were found. nine0003

If a plastic product complies with the requirements of TR TS 005/2011 "On the safety of packaging", then it is safe for the consumer. But it is also important to use it correctly. The migration of substances from packaging into food depends not only on the material of the container, but also on the specific conditions of its use.

Unfortunately, the classification itself according to seven types of marking gives only general recommendations for use. Ultimately, it all depends on the composition of each product. What to do? Follow simple rules of use. nine0003

Use food plastic packaging and utensils correctly!

Do not reuse disposable utensils and containers. If the label does not specifically recommend reusable use, most likely the packaging is disposable. In addition, bacteria can accumulate in microcracks and complex bends of this container. Such dishes are unsafe from all points of view.
Pay attention to labeling. Although it is more difficult to find PVC packaging in stores today, you should not lose your vigilance. Not all plastic containers are microwave safe. Even if the label says otherwise, look for special markings anyway. Dishes intended for food products must be marked accordingly: a recognizable icon with a glass and a fork. Polystyrene (PS 6) is hazardous to health when heated. nine0012
Do not heat plastic unless it is labeled as such. Do not wash such plastic containers in hot water, leave bottles with drinks in the heat in direct sunlight or near a fire.
Do not store in plastic containers that are not intended for storage and without appropriate labeling, food and beverages. It is not recommended to refill drinks into water bottles marked PET 1. These bottles are used once and then recycled. If you want to keep the product for a long time, it is better to move it to a glass container. nine0012
Dispose of plastic correctly, in special containers. As a rule, it is written on them what kind of plastic should be thrown there. You can find out about plastic collection sites on the website recyclemap.ru.

Baby bottles

Plastic containers for baby food must be made from materials that are resistant to high temperatures. “The current legislation establishes strict standards for goods intended for children,” says Petr Bobrovsky. - The choice of a specific material remains with the manufacturer, but subject to compliance with mandatory requirements. For example, PS, PVC or PET baby bottles are not made, because the material must remain strong when in contact with hot liquids and when sterilized.” Often, baby bottles are made from a mixture of plastics. nine0003

Recycling

Since the 1950s, people have produced more than 8 billion tons of plastic, of which only 10% has been recycled, according to Consumer Reports, citing a study by American scientists.

Today, polymer packaging made from all six monomaterials is recyclable. However, in our country there are few processors who have the necessary technologies. As a rule, PET waste, HDPE, LDPE and PP packaging are in demand. Almost no one recycles PVC, and when burned, this plastic releases toxic dioxins. nine0003

“The most important problem is that the marking does not give a complete picture of the material,” says Tatyana Nagorskaya, “because it only reflects the main substance. For example, if you have a white opaque kefir bottle, it means that it is made not only from PET, but this will not be mentioned anywhere. Plastic labeling is still a debatable issue.” Various stickers, labels, paint, foil layers - all this interferes with proper processing. Category OTHER 7, to which the listed variations actually belong, cannot be reworked. nine0003

How to dispose of without harm to the environment?

Usually on containers for separate collection of garbage it is written what exactly should be thrown away in them. Just follow these instructions. If you throw away, say, a yogurt package into a container for collecting PET bottles, this will be a disservice, since you will only complicate the task of sorters.

You can find out about plastic collection points in each region on the recyclemap.ru website. nine0003

The so-called plastic vending machines have also been installed by some retail chains. An example is Magnet. “This year, the company began testing vending machines in Moscow, Krasnogorsk, Krasnodar and Tula,” the company said. – The devices are installed in ten “Magnit Family” supermarkets with high traffic. The partners are Unilever and AB InBev Efes. These are different projects in terms of duration and collection of packaging, designed for 12 and 5 months, respectively. With Unilever, Magnit is testing the collection of all types of plastic, with AB InBev Efes - plastic and aluminum. Buyers participating in the projects receive a 10% discount on certain products.” On average, about 4,700 bottles and cans are collected per month from all vending machines. The collected plastic is transferred for sorting to organizations that carry out separate collection. nine0003

Nutritionist told how to choose the most harmless plastic tableware - Moscow 24, 08.08.2021

August 08, 2021, 08:30

Society

Disposable tableware and plastic bottles have long been feared by ecologists and doctors. In their opinion, such packaging harms not only the environment, but also human health. We tell you which plastic is the safest for food.

Photo: depositphotos/belchonock

Do not heat

The World Endocrinological Society has published a list of substances that disrupt the endocrine system. The document, in particular, states that plastic containers cannot be used for heating in the microwave, and it also provides a clear algorithm for choosing products in plastic packaging. nine0003

"There are several types of plastic: polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene. They consist of natural or synthetic high-molecular compounds. Plastic itself does not harm a person, but in its pure form it is a fragile material that melts from heat", - explained nutritionist Maria Rozanova.

Therefore, manufacturers add various chemical and processing additives to the composition of plastic in order to extend its service life. These substances can be toxic and adversely affect human health. nine0003

Maria Rozanova

nutritionist

People often bring food to work in plastic containers and heat these containers directly in microwave ovens. Experts came to the conclusion that with a strong increase in temperature, the chemical additive can react and release toxic substances into food.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, the expert advised to reheat food only in glass or ceramic dishes. This will save the endocrine system and reduce the burden on the liver and kidneys, which are already under enormous stress in modern life. nine0003

Danger signal

Photo: depositphotos/tezzstock

Choose plastic dishes or products packed in plastic containers based on the recommendations of experts. The nutritionist recommends finding a triangle made up of arrows on a bottle or dish. The number in it will give information about the material from which the packaging is made, or it will tell you which dishes should be completely abandoned.

So, if there is a three in a triangle, then we are talking about polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This soft plastic is used not only in most modern finishing materials, but also for food packaging (cheese, meat, sausage), the production of bottles, as well as films for wrapping products. The goods are very popular because of the low price and are in demand. But this type of material cannot be recycled. And upon contact with fatty or hot foods, it releases heavy metals and vinyl chloride, which is very dangerous for the endocrine system. nine0003

The number 6 on the container indicates polystyrene (PS). It is used to make food containers, forks, spoons and even glasses for hot drinks.

"This type is intended only for cold products. And if you pour an alcoholic drink or hot food into such a container, then polystyrene will release a toxic substance - styrene. It accumulates in the liver and kidneys and gradually destroys them," explained the interlocutor of Moscow 24.

If the number 7 is in the triangle, then polycarbonate (PC or OTHER) was used in the manufacture. It is most often used to make baby bottles, multi-layer packaging, water bottles. But in fact, it is strictly forbidden to store food and water in this type of plastic container. nine0003

When used, especially for a long time, dishes release a dangerous substance - bisphenol: it disrupts the physiological processes in the body and metabolism, destroys the endocrine system.

Despite the dangers of this type of plastic, most food containers and water bottles are made from it today.

Maria Rozanova

nutritionist

The number 5 indicates that the composition contains polypropylene (PP), which is used to make cups for yogurt, hot food containers and films. nine0003

"Polypropylene can withstand high temperatures, but it is forbidden to drink alcohol from such dishes or store fatty foods in them, because formaldehyde is released, which accumulates in the body and destroys the liver and kidneys. In addition, vision and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are disturbed (GIT) It is also not recommended to heat food in such dishes above 100 degrees, "the expert added.

In order not to fall into the trap of harmful substances, buyers should carefully examine the packaging and study the data of specialists. nine0003

Which dishes to choose?

Photo: depositphotos/lobur

Containers with the number 2 on the packaging are considered one of the safest. For their production, low-pressure polyethylene (HDPE) is used. It is mainly used for the production of various cans and bottles, that is, mainly rigid containers that can be used several times.

This plastic has high hardness, strength, chemical resistance to alkalis, acids and fats. The melting point of the material is 130 degrees. Dishes made from this material can be easily identified by tapping - low-pressure polyethylene makes a sonorous and strong sound. nine0003

High Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is also used for plastic packaging, bags, films and bottles for cooking oil. On such a container, the number 4 is put in a triangle of arrows. It is very safe for human health and is intended for contact with food. The melting point of this material is 110 degrees. High density polyethylene is also resistant to deformation and sunlight.

The leader in the ranking of relatively safe materials is plastic utensils with the number 1 in the triangle. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used to make disposable cups, plates, jars and bottles.