PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), a.k.a Vinyl (recycling # 3)

PVC is a harmful plastic that emits toxic chemicals from manufacturing to disposal. PVC is used to make construction materials (such as pipes, flooring, and wiring), and a range of consumer products (plastic bottles and containers, baby bottles, toys, records and clothes). The manufacture of PVC involves the use and emission of dioxin, but more importantly for the health of humans, PVC products can leach toxic additives, like phthalates, throughout their use. Phthalates are added to PVC products to make them softer and more flexible, but these chemicals are known to disrupt hormones, leading to birth defects of male reproductive organs.