The symbol on Garbage cans that makes them safe to use

[jlt23]

If you read the FAQ on the website that Seahag posted it states

"The new 44-gallon BRUTE® is approved and compliant with all current agencies and standards as the existing 44-gallon BRUTE®. This includes NSF Std. #2, HACCP and CSFM (when used with a 2647-88 dome top). "

James

[rush07]

Check my 6 gallon containers last night and they are #5's. Did some research and for what it is worth, this is what I found regarding what the recycling numbers mean. It sounds to me that they most all CAN be food grade but not all are:

http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html

I then figured I would email the mfg. of the containers I have. I like the 6 gallon size as they are easy to move around when full. These are what I am using:

http://www.sterilite.com/ProductDeta...tion=Household

And this is the email I got back from the mfg.:

Thank you for your interest in Sterilite products. Thank you for your
inquiry concerning our product make-up. Sterilite
Corporation manufactures our storage products from a material known as
polypropylene. This material is FDA approved and is the same material
used to produce all of our food storage items. Our polypropylene
products do not give off toxicants. No PVC's, Latex, Teflon, or
antibacterial chemicals are used in our manufacturing process.

They are safe to house pets, including fish. As with any container you
plan to use for housing fish, or for aquarium water, you will want to
thoroughly clean the container with a safe fish tank cleanser and rinse
well before use.

Thank you,

Sue Patton
Consumer Support
Customer Service Dept.
Sterilite Corporation

So I think I am safe with these. Am I missing something?

[Seehag]

Still nothing back from Rubbermaid on my end. So atleast we will get to the bottom of this and it is looking like maybe all the Brute line is good.

Art

[joekr]

Just verified that my Brute is code 4 nsf...I could have sworn my last tank I was using teh exact same can as the one I recently bought..

[reefraj]

Wow !! What is the big deal about the recycle number and NSF ? Both are unrelated.

NSF symbol projects the usability of a product for that purpose. NSF 2 means NSF standard 2 and it IS good for keeping food stuff.

Recycle number designates the type of plastic. A way to sort out the trash plastics and so various agencies can decide what they want do do with it. I guess the number should correspond to some specific material used for manufaturing that product.

Bottom line we are talking about two seperate things.

Just verified that my Brute is code 4 nsf...I could have sworn my last tank I was using teh exact same can as the one I recently bought..

And Joekr, as far as I know Brute is NSF standard 2 and recycle code 4. (recycle code is the one inside the arrowed triankle.)

[reefraj]

I will try to find some specifics ( like what the numbers mean) and will post it soon

[rush07]

http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html

[Seehag]

Great post Rush........ That should explain most of the confusion away. Still nothing back from Rubbermaid, guess they are slow to reply.


Art

[rush07]

That sucks that they are taking so long to get back to you. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a response from Sterilite within a couple of hours. Hopefully they will get back to you soon. I emailed Aquarium Pharm twice with a question about one of their products last month and still have not heard back. Luckily they have a lot of competitors I can go to.

[Seehag]

Funny how some get right back to you and others take forever. I sent an email to a restaurant one time and like 3 months later they replied....Doh...

Art

[jdieck]

Originally posted by Seehag
Stopped at osh today and they only have gray cans and not brute. They have a ldpe and triangle with a number 4 in the middle. I guess that makes them non food compatible. I will go to Home Depot tomorrow, theres are blue though.

Art

That is low density poliethylene and it is generally OK to use, just rinse it well to remove any film from the moulding agent.
Most garbage cans are suitable but the ones colored RED. The red pigments can leach to the water and are toxic.
Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed and assist in complying with HACCP guidelines. Certified to NSF International Std

[Seehag]

Picked up a grey 44 gallon garbage can from Home Depot yesterday. It is the Brute 44gal with lid for 44.95. It says on the bottom:

NSF STD. 2 Food Contact:
white, gray, yellow.
NSF STD. 21 Refuse
No color restrictions.

I guess that makes this one ok, they had wheels there for it also.

Hope this helps out for anyone looking for these.


Art

[jdieck]

NSF = National Standards Pharmacopea and yes that is the good one.

[Seehag]

I gotta clean the garbage can now I was thinking about washing it with dish detergent lightly and rinsing real good. The detergent would cut any buildup on it and shouldn't leave any bad stuff on the can. Thought's?


Art

[fareforce]

Vinager and hot water.

Soap can leave a residue.. Especially Dawn.

[jdieck]

Yes many soaps and detergents are loaded with Phosphates you may not want to deal with.

[Seehag]

vinegar and hot water it is.... Thank'
s for the help guy's...


Art

[reefraj]

Thanks was looking for that too.