How We Rate Products
Every product gets a single letter grade — A through F — just like a school report card. You know instantly whether a product is safe, questionable, or something to avoid.
We rate specific products, not entire companies. A brand can make both an A-rated product and an F-rated product. We tell you exactly which product earned which grade and why.
The A–F Grade Scale
One grade. Instantly understood. No math required.
Example: Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle
18/8 stainless steel interior — no plastic lining, no leaching, full material transparency.
Example: Pyrex Glass Food Storage Set
Glass body is excellent — polypropylene lids are the only concern. Remove before microwaving.
Example: A product with some natural materials but unclear supply chain or partial plastic content
Some plastic content or limited transparency. Use with awareness.
Example: Athleta Ultimate Stash 7/8 Tight
95% recycled nylon — better sourcing than most, but still 100% synthetic plastic against skin during exercise.
Example: Lululemon Align Leggings / Nike Dri-FIT Leggings
100% synthetic plastic worn skin-tight during exercise when pores are open. Maximum exposure conditions.
We rate specific products — never entire companies
A company like Nike makes thousands of products — some cotton, some polyester, some with PFAS coatings, some without. It would be inaccurate and unfair to give Nike a single company-wide rating. So we don't.
Instead, we rate the Nike Dri-FIT One Leggings (F — 100% synthetic plastic) separately from a Nike cotton t-shirt (which might earn a C or B). Every product page clearly states: "This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company."
What Goes Into the Grade
Four factors, weighted by how much they affect your actual plastic exposure.
What is the product actually made of? Glass, stainless steel, organic cotton, and natural rubber score high. Polyester, nylon, PVC, and polycarbonate score low.
- ✓Primary material composition
- ✓Absence of BPA, phthalates, PVC, PFAS
- ✓Third-party material certifications (GOTS, GOLS, NSF)
- ✓Hidden plastic components (coatings, liners, adhesives)
Is the product packaged in plastic? Cardboard, glass, and compostable packaging score high. Plastic wrap, plastic bags, and styrofoam score low.
- ✓Primary packaging material
- ✓Plastic-free shipping materials
- ✓Recyclability and compostability
- ✓Packaging reduction initiatives
Does the brand publish what their product is made of? Full ingredient lists, supply chain disclosures, and third-party certifications earn high scores.
- ✓Full material/ingredient disclosure
- ✓Supply chain transparency
- ✓Third-party certifications
- ✓Response to material inquiries
How long will this product last? A product that lasts 10 years has 10x less environmental impact than one that needs replacing annually.
- ✓Expected product lifespan
- ✓Repairability
- ✓Warranty and support
- ✓End-of-life recyclability or compostability
Context-Aware Danger Ratings
The grade alone does not tell the whole story. A plastic water bottle and plastic underwear might both be "plastic" — but the exposure risk is completely different. We explain the specific danger for each product's use case.
Boys underwear with synthetic fabric — worn against genital tissue during hormonal development for 12+ hours/day
Polyester activewear — worn skin-tight during exercise when pores are open and sweating maximizes absorption
Plastic food storage — food sits in plastic for hours, especially fatty foods that pull chemicals out faster
Plastic cleaning spray bottle — brief contact, no direct food or skin exposure
Scan Any Barcode
Standing in a store? Use our barcode scanner to look up any product instantly. Point your camera at the UPC barcode on the package and get the PFR grade in seconds — like EWG's Skin Deep, but for plastic content.
If we haven't rated the product yet, you'll see a "Not in our database" message and can submit it for review. We add new ratings every month based on reader requests.
Our Independence Policy
Brands cannot pay for higher grades
No brand can pay to improve their rating. Sponsored listings are clearly labeled and do not affect the grade. Our research is funded by affiliate commissions on products we recommend — not by the brands we rate.
We cite primary sources
Every health claim on PFR links to a peer-reviewed study, government report, or official certification database. We do not make claims we cannot source.
We update when evidence changes
If new research changes our assessment of a chemical or material, we update the affected product pages. Science evolves — our ratings evolve with it.