Plastic is strong, durable, and convenient, but not all plastic is created equal.

• When you need plastic’s advantages, choose smart plastics (polyethylene or polypropylene with the recycling symbols 1, 2, 4, or 5) that are less toxic to manufacture and easy to recycle.
  
• Avoid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and polycarbonate plastics (#3, #6, and #7). Look for products labeled “no phthalates” and “no BPA (bisphenol A).”
  
• Never microwave food in plastic containers. The microwave’s extreme heat can cause chemicals in the plastic to leach into your food.
• Wash all plastic containers by hand and keep them out of the dishwasher, where the heat and moisture can degrade the material and make it more likely to contaminate food stored in it.
• Always use glass or ceramic containers to store and reheat food. 

These are just some highlights from the important information and hundreds of tips provided on www.healthychild.org and in the book, Healthy Child Healthy World (Dutton, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., copyright 2008 by Healthy Child Healthy World). Stay up-to-date by subscribing to their monthly e-mail newsletter.