Safe plastic

[Nya]

Hi,

 

So I recently purchased a large Nylex container from Bunnings as a nutrient tank. I got it home and realised that it says on the inside "recycled plastic do not use in food handling."

 

I'm guessing I need to return it? Some advice would be great. A link to a suitable replacement or some pointers to one would be awesome, too, if necessary. I'm having a hard time finding suitable things that aren't stupidly overpriced.

 

Bunnings had some food storage containers that were a suitable size and significantly cheaper, but they were clear.

 

Maybe I'm just blind.

[need4weed3]

ive been using them for years

no worries

[BaronS]

the rules concerning 'food grade' plastic have very little to do with suitability as a plant reservior.

 

Matter of fact, they have very little to do with whether such containers are suitable for food.

[Nya]

Thanks to the both of you... that's a relief.

 

the rules concerning 'food grade' plastic have very little to do with suitability as a plant reservior.

 

Matter of fact, they have very little to do with whether such containers are suitable for food.

 

 

For peace of mind, though, what are "food grade" rules?

 

But there are some I need to avoid, right? Pretty sure CPVC is bad...

[flatcat_auz]

Thanks to the both of you... that's a relief.

 

 

 

 

For peace of mind, though, what are "food grade" rules?

 

But there are some I need to avoid, right? Pretty sure CPVC is bad...

 

 

Hope I don't come across as being rude but have you heard of google? I think it would be far easier and quicker for you to get an answer.

 

Once found why not post your answer.

 

[jimbojones5678]

I wouldn't worry about it not being food grade but it has to be light proof - ie:black

 

Jimbo

[Nya]

Hope I don't come across as being rude but have you heard of google? I think it would be far easier and quicker for you to get an answer.

 

Once found why not post your answer.

 

 

Sorry, I was on my way out as I posted that and didn't think to mention that I'd already researched around the place quite a bit and didn't really find anything conclusive. I did find, though:

 

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET): No known hazards.

 

2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): No known hazards.

 

3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl): Plasticizers are added to many PVC products to make them flexible. These include phthalates — suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), DEHA, another possible EDC, was found to leach from PVC cling wraps into cheese. Grocery stores commonly use PVC to wrap deli meats and cheeses. Reyonds cling wrap is PVC. Some waters and vegetable oils are bottled in PVC. Ad PVC’s manufacture and incineration produces highly toxic dioxins, as does the PVDC used in Saran Wrap, according to Consumers Union.

 

4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): No known hazards.

 

5. Polypropylene (PP): No known hazards.

 

6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Made from styrene, a suspected carcinogen, PS also contains p-nonylphenol; both chemicals are suspected EDCs. Do not consumer fatty foods or alcoholic beverages from Styrofoam containers; styrene can leach into these substances. Some opaque plastic cutlery is PS, as well.

 

7. Other Resins, including Polycarbonate (PC): Most clear plastic baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles are made of PC. Bisphenol-A EDC in PC, has been found in water and heated infant formulas bottles in PC, as well as food cans lined with a plastic film.

 

My container is made of 2 and 5, which are listed as "safe," but then I also come across pieces of information like this:

There is a lot of misinformation out there about plastic buckets. Most of the controversy rages over whether a bucket is food grade or not. Most plastic containers, usually on the bottom, will have a number inside a small triangle. All the buckets I have ever seen have a #2. This number doesn't mean that it's food grade as many people suppose. But rather it tells what kind of plastic the bucket is made of. The #2 means it is made from HDPE plastic. Most of these buckets are food grade but there are times when they are not.

 

Sometimes the bucket has a dye added to the plastic that is not food grade This alone will prevent the FDA from approving it as food grade. And sometimes the bucket manufacturer uses recycled HDPE. These buckets also are not food grade. And lastly, when something is put in the bucket that is a nonfood type product such as paint, chemicals, and such things, this also makes them so they are no longer food grade. HDPE plastic is slightly porous and will absorb these chemicals which will gradually leach back into any food you place in the bucket later

 

 

So I'm quite confused as to whether there is a way to determine such things clearly without a potentially unnecessary "food safe" label being attached.

[Budman2012]

And ...

Plastic Baby-feeding Bottles? ... No Known Hazards???

Ahem ...

 

Btw , I think that is an excellent question Nya

Sorta reminds me of the comparison "Would you use "Non-Food Grade" chemicals or additives to your Cannabis growing regime? No doubt some people may well do so .. but to what effect? ... well I think that science is way behind itself in terms of the basic reasoning and study of the Toxicity of our Whole "modern" Society in general.

 

And Is probably all the chemical leeching from the plastic conatainers and wrapping that's making be so "iffeminate" in my relation to the subject ... (Hell hath No Fury like ...) be that as it may ... from what I've read over the past few years I think that we will learn more in the future about the leeching of chemical elements into our consumables

Think of what the people breathe in the factories turning the grungy oil by-products into everday items while we're at it ... ewww gross aye

 

Anyhoo , Welcome Nya aand Cheerz

 

Budman

 

P.s. In saying all that ... Those Buckets should be fine for growing really ... Most all plastic as far as I know is an "Inert" substance after initial heating and moulding (often referred to by myself as" innate" which is totally incorrect ) ... (It's innertness is Innate? heheheh .. Not Quite )

All the best ... Bye 4 Now.