Plastic picnic plates - are they safe to continue to use?

Question

I have a couple of plastic plates - I am not sure as wether they are safe to contiue to use or throw them in bin - they have been used for few months now and are starting to discolor or showing knife marks. How safe is plastic - I know they are good for kids because they dont break but I cant help notice marks on plate.

they are like picnic plates you can buy from safeway for a dollar and tupperware bowls i use for cereal they too are wearing out. I not sure where answer to these will be found does anyone know?

Answer 1

Unless they're not made from China then not much to worry :D

Answer 2

Think of it this way, if you wouldn't shave it down and eat it, it's probably not safe to put your food on. Look into buying biodegradable bamboo plates if you're stuck on "one-use" dinnerware or try recycled glass plates. If you're not picky about everything matching, visit a thrift or antique store: there are always beautiful dinnerware sets or pieces to be found.

A chemical in plastic known as Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is found in all kinds of common products, mostly polycarbonate plastics. Nearly all plastic baby bottles in the U.S. are made of this kind. So are many common food containers, water storage bottles, aluminum can linings, and even some kinds of dental sealants.

One of the dangers of BPA in plastic is that it can mimic endocrine hormones in the body. It can cause premature things to happen, like cancer.

When drinking bottled water, look for number inside a small triangle at the bottom of the bottle. Avoid bottles where BPA is numbered with a 7 or a 3. (1, 2, 4 and 5 are fine)

If you must use plastic plates, go to ecowise.com. They have reusable, recycled plastic dinnerware that has less of an impact on the environment.

Answer 3

my rule of thumb for plastic is once it is cracked or brokern (as in the knife scratch) - throw them away!  I don't think it is safe to continue to use.

Instead of plastic - use recycled paper plates or get those unbreakable "corel" dishes.  They are better for the environment anyways.