Historical parks and learning centres under the Fine Arts Department nationwide will be free of styrofoam food containers soon under a new environmentally friendly policy.
Anandha Chuchoti, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, has revealed that the department has issued an announcement on reducing and banning the use of food containers made of styrofoam at all historical parks and learning centres under the supervision of the department.
Under the new policy, cooperation has been sought from all the agencies under the department and food vendors operating at any such parks and centres to curb and stop using styrofoam food containers.
In addition, all these parks and centres are to be declared "styrofoam-free zones" where safe, biodegradable and environmentally friendly organic dishes, plates and bowls, including reusable ones, will replace styrofoam containers. The objective is to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable rubbish, limit pollution from such waste and ensure a healthier environment for department officials and the general public.
Foam is a petroleum-based material which can produce the carcinogens Styrenemonomer Dioxin and Vinyl Chloride Monomer if it mixes with oil or acidic solvents. It's also harmful to the environment because it takes over 450 years to degrade.
Public relations campaigns will be run to encourage visitors to the historical parks and learning centres to refrain from bringing foam containers.
The nine historical parks where the policy is being implemented are: Ayutthaya Historical Park, Sukhothai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, Phanom Rung Historical Park, Phimai Historical Park, Muang Singh Historical Park, Sri Thep Historical Park and Phu Phrabat Historical Park.
Ayutthaya Historical Park. Pichaya Svasti
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, Udon Thani. Photos: Pichaya Svasti
