In short, at home, PVC 3 plastic is unfortunately not recyclable even though it is commercially and it's generally pretty hideous stuff. The plasticizer used in PVC is what gives PVC its flexibility and durability. Unfortunately it is also one of the key things which leaches and is potentially dangerous to health as it evaporates.There are two different kinds of PVC 3 plastic: Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) and Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (PPVC). The main difference between these two plastics is that UPVC is a hard plastic whereas PPVC is a flexible plastic. UPVC is commonly used for products such as electrical conduit, some cosmetic containers, strawberry punnets, credit cards, inflatable toys and furniture, shutters, notebook covers, rubbish bins, plumbing pipes, window frames, floor coverings, blister packs, roof sheeting, blister packs, clear cordial and juice bottles. PPVC is commonly used for products such as garden hoses, yoga mats, watch straps, shoe soles, rain coats and some cling wraps.A good example of a plasticizer concentrated in an enclosed space is in a new car. That ‘new car smell’ is mostly caused by the evaporation of plasticizers (esters of polycarboxylic acids in this case), so maybe don’t spend too long soaking up the smell with the windows closed. (Thanks to LovEarth Yoga Goods for the reminder regarding PVC Yoga Mats. While many mats these days are made from jute, rubber and other natural products, there are still many PVC mats around. A good rule of thumb is price. If they are cheap. they are probably PVC, but always ask.)
Thank you - and that is a very good point. It's time we updated this page in a few ways, so consider it done! (It's bizarre isn't it that something used for good health good be such a health hazard?) 💚 Saturday, 9 June 2018
Yuk!!! Could we add amongst shoe soles and cling wraps the word 'yoga mats '. We are making big inroads in our yoga community's understanding that cheap PVC mats are revolting but still some way to go. Cheap to buy but endlessly expensive to our own health and that of the planet Saturday, 9 June 2018