The first day of 2020 saw a major change in the lives of those who live in the Kingdom of Thailand: the (almost total) disappearance of single-use plastic bags. It's a huge change but a seemingly necessary one. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Thailand is one of the four countries responsible for half of all plastic in the oceans in Southeast Asia. While 2019 saw a drastic drop in the use of plastic bag, the plan is to eliminate 225,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. Single-use plastic bags are just the beginning though as bottle caps, cups and straws are next on the list. So what exactly are people saying about the ban? Is it absolutely necessary? What does it mean for customers who go grocery shopping? Are there ways to help lessen plastic waste? Hopefully, this clarifies some things and answers some of your questions.
ARE PLASTIC BAGS REALLY GONE FOR GOOD?
Despite noticing the absence of plastic bags in many supermarkets and grocery stores, plastic bags haven't necessarily been completely eradicated. For example, while 7-Elevens nationwide don't give out plastic bags, they will give it to you if you buy a piping hot microwaveable food item or something large and bulky. While Tops supermarket sells reusable bags, they also sell plastic bags for one baht each with the proceeds being donated to Siriraj Hospital. It seems that people aren't really taking up the offer of the plastic bags despite still being available. Most are being creative with their "alt bags" like using rice sacks and water buckets.
Photos: FB: ROVMaira
ALT BAGS
Photos of creative Thais who have come up with ingenious ways to carry their shopping have gone viral but what are good alternatives to plastic? Spunbond bags seem to be the most popular choice in supermarkets though their eco-friendliness is being debated. Cloth bags are probably the best alternative and there are numerous places to buy them around the city. Don't want to go out? Type in "Tote Bags" on Lazada and have it delivered right to you.
Photos: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE PLASTIC BAG BAN?
The Public
According to a recent Nida Poll, 57.69% of 1,262 people, above the ages of 15, supported the single-use plastic bag ban. Only 8.72% said they were against it, while the rest either had no comment or suggested that the implementation should be gradual.
- Bangkok Post - bit.ly/2QStrpo
Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa
"[It's] a huge New Year's gift to Thailand and the world."
Photo: Apichart Jinakul
Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice-dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University
"This year we are going to push for a law against single-use plastics. At the moment, 127 of 192 countries have enacted a single-use plastics legislation. Hopefully, our single-use plastics law will pass next year. Every country started by eliminating the use of single-use plastic bags, because they can be replaced by fabric or paper. Meanwhile, clear plastic bags for food are quite difficult to eliminate, since there is no suitable alternative."
- Thai PBS World - bit.ly/30jVjpp
Ralyn "Lilly" Satidtanasarn, 11-year-old eco-activist
"I am an 11-year-old girl and I can do this. So if I can do this, then you can do it, too. It's just one small step at a time so we can achieve our goal of a cleaner world." (Commenting on the use of cloth bags for groceries. Remarks made on World Environment Day 2019)
- Khao Sod English - bit.ly/30jUVHs
Apiphop Phungchaikul, deputy secretary-general of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and vice-chairman of the Plastic Industry Club
"The government must have a short-term measure to assist the industry, which is not ready to adjust its business to the no-plastic campaign."
Somchai Techapanichgul, president of the Thai Plastic Industries Association (TPIA)
"It is damaging SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and many companies cannot adjust to the government's campaign. They cannot afford to buy new machines to produce environmentally-friendly products."
- Bangkok Post - bit.ly/2RdZAql
WANT TO LESSEN YOUR USE OF PLASTICS EVEN MORE? HERE'S HOW
Use refillable stations
Grocery shopping for basic necessities like soap, shampoo and dishwashing liquid can be refilled at Refill Station (RefillStationBKK.com) along Sukhumvit Road or ZeroMoment Refillery (fb.com/ZeroMomentRefillery). There are also a few more around the city that you can look up.
Photos: Eric E Surbano & Refill Station
Use your own straws and cutlery (Refill Station sells straws and you can buy some online. Miniso has cutlery you can use)
It's great to see that some cafés -- most recently, Starbucks -- and restos have done away with plastic straws and are using paper. If you're buying coffee at a local shop or street vendor, avoid using plastic straws. If you're also a little annoyed that paper straws don't hold up after spending a long time in your drink, buy a metal or bamboo straw on Lazada or Shopee. While you're at it, you can also buy a portable cutlery set so you also don't end up asking for plastic cutlery when eating out.
Bring your own cup when buying coffee or make your own cuppa!
If you're someone who regularly buys coffee from somewhere like Starbucks then you can bring in your own cup, tumbler or thermos. Starbucks gives you a discount of B10 if you do. If you're looking to not just help save the planet but also save money then just make your own coffee at home or at the office!
Photos: Varuth Hirunyatheb & Somchai Poomlard
FAQs, CRITICISMS & SOME LAME EXCUSES
Still not convinced this whole ban is necessary? Here are the questions and complaints we've seen floating around. Some are legit, others are just... well, pathetic.
Why does it need to be banned? Can't we just recycle it?
This is a good question. According to research published in Science Advances in 2017, approximately 6,500 metric tonnes of plastic waste have been produced as of 2015 and if the current trends persist, that number will go up to 12,000 metric tonnes by 2050. Of the 6,500 metric tonnes of plastic waste produced in 2015, only 9% was recycled, so obviously we're lagging far behind.
We still use plastic cutlery, straws, containers, etc. so what's the point?
That's kinda like saying "The Earth is going to die anyway so we might as well just do anything we want with it". The ban on single-use plastic bags is a step in the right direction -- a small one, but a good one. Hopefully, we see more steps taken in eliminating plastic in the future.
It's a "violation of consumers' rights"!
At least, it's a violation according to activist Srisuwan Janya (an activist for what, I'm not sure). I'm sorry, did I miss something or did the plastic ban somehow hinder people from buying stuff? Srisuwan also said that retailers have failed to provide suitable alternatives though most supermarkets sell cloth bags. Even if they didn't buy the bags, customers have shown just how creative they are by using random stuff to carry their groceries.
- Bangkok Post - bit.ly/2Tk7VeK
But it's so inconvenient.
Yes, it is because we've been so reliant on plastic bags for so long. It's going to take some adjusting.
Fine, but do they really need to blur out plastic bags on TV?
Yeah, this was a weird move, one I don't really see the point of. If the thinking behind it is to discourage consumers the same way they blur out alcohol and smoking to discourage them then... well, we know how great that's worked out.
- Bangkok Post - bit.ly/3aaPxuL
Why not use biodegradable plastics?
According to a BBC article, even plastics labelled as biodegradable don't necessarily... well, degrade. They have to be put in industrial composters for them to degrade properly and a good amount of them don't ever make it there.
- BBC - bbc.in/2R8Yr3e
It's just a scam so that retailers can get more money!
So you're angry retailers are getting more money while you have to "suffer" and pay B20 for a reusable bag? Pathetic!
