As most of you who live or have lived in North America or Europe know, nearly every plastic container (including "styrafoam" -- polystyrene) or even lid or fastener you buy is now marked or stamped with a numeric code -- usually surrounded by a triangle or circle of arrows, and sometimes accompanied by initials (PET, PE, PP, PS, PVC, etc.) -- indicating which type of plastic resin the item was manufactured with. This so-called "SPI Code" also became commonly used in Brazil in the 1990s, and was promoted by industry in Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico, but has been slow to extend to the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean.
When I lived in SD (95-99) I used to up-end all plastic containers I saw at the store to see if any of them were so marked. Of course, those items imported from the US, Canada and Europe tended to be, but I even found a few local brands and imports from Mexico with at least the number.
I'd like to know if the situation has changed at all in the DR.
Just for kicks, next time you bring home stuff from the supermarket or pharmacy, check the bottom of all products in plastic containers -- whether food, beverages, detergents, liquid soaps, toiletries/personal care products, even medicines. Does it have a number? If so, which one? Which products do, which don't? Are they particular brands? Any local products have them (if so, which ones)?
I'd be particularly interested to know if any carry a numeric code other than "1", which stands for PET, and which kinds of products carry it.
Thanks in advance for posting what you find! :classic:
Best Regards,
Keith
When I lived in SD (95-99) I used to up-end all plastic containers I saw at the store to see if any of them were so marked. Of course, those items imported from the US, Canada and Europe tended to be, but I even found a few local brands and imports from Mexico with at least the number.
I'd like to know if the situation has changed at all in the DR.
Just for kicks, next time you bring home stuff from the supermarket or pharmacy, check the bottom of all products in plastic containers -- whether food, beverages, detergents, liquid soaps, toiletries/personal care products, even medicines. Does it have a number? If so, which one? Which products do, which don't? Are they particular brands? Any local products have them (if so, which ones)?
I'd be particularly interested to know if any carry a numeric code other than "1", which stands for PET, and which kinds of products carry it.
Thanks in advance for posting what you find! :classic:
Best Regards,
Keith