Network reports big gains in plastic-use reduction

By The Nation

 

 

A network of 30 universities across the country has succeeded in reducing the number of single-use plastic bags, utensils and cups by 41 million pieces so far this year, it was announced during the Sustainable University Network of Thailand Conference 2018 hosted by Thammasat University (TU) on October 25-26 at its Rangsit Campus.

 

The 30 universities’ plastic-use reduction campaign was aimed at setting a good example for Thai society to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production and to seriously and urgently help tackle Global Warming and Climate Change, TU deputy rector Parinya Thewanarumitkul said in his capacity as chairman of the network.

 

 

The network, established in 2016, has this year campaigned for the reduction of plastic use at convenience stores, canteens and shops within university compounds. In cooperation with the private sector, especially CP All, they managed to slash use by 41 million plastic pieces by October, he said. 

 

At TU, plastic utensils and plastic bags (except for hot food containers) have been banned since May. Washable glasses have replaced single-use plastic cups and a discount is offered to those bringing their own glasses, he said. This had led to reduction of 80,000 plastic utensils, 250,000 drinking straws and 120,000 plastic cups per month at the university’s two campuses, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30357353

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-29

I wonder when Thailand might start doing the same: In Uganda they are making bio-degradable non-plastic bags from cassava.

 

So why does everybody still laugh if I bring my reusable bag for shopping?

Sent from my ASUS_X008D using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

A step in the right direction.

 

Let's hope the students who participated in this project continue to reduce / limit their plastic use after they graduate. 

 

 

 

In Thailand the reduction in 'plastic' is something of a joke. A local Supermarket company in Chiang Mai with multiple shops changed their plastic containers for cut fruit into much thinner ones to save on plastic. So what do they do now, wrap each container in multiple layers of PLASTIC cling film in case the thin plastic splits open. Plastic saving NIL. The same supermarket that every Wednesday bans plastic bags and gives you a cardboard box if you do not have your own cloth reusable bags.

1 hour ago, longtom said:

So why does everybody still laugh if I bring my reusable bag for shopping?

Sent from my ASUS_X008D using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Because you silly Falang.

When can have free plastic bag,  you not smart Mister.

and so on,  wash rinse,  wash rinse,  repeat cycle for 10,000 years.

 

Any effort is a good effort. 

This is how a movement starts. 

We Farangs need to set an example (even if some laugh at us). 

When I remember to take my carry bag shopping most Thai people smile and nod, maybe thumbs up in appreciation.
The other day I went for my quarterly check up and medication issue at Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip. The pharmacy clerk who did the delivery asked if I had a carry bag, and told me to bring one next time.
Now if the packaging issue in the food industry could be tackled! I purchased some biscuits (Forbidden! ????) a couple of months ago, and was a bit horrified when I went to open the packet. There were two separately plastic wrapped stacks inside of a plastic tray, inside a plastic outer wrap!
I will henceforth when overwhelmed by biscuit lust go to the local bakery, which sells a reasonable quantity od very good cookies in a single small plastic bag.   

Fair play to these people. 41 million really is nothing though when you remember Thailand uses 198billion plastic bags a year not counting single use utensils, cups, etc.

Around the roads and verges in our neighbourhood you wouldn't know there had been any reduction in plastic.  Fresh dumpings of plastic bags with and without contents on a daily basis, plastic bottles galore....deplorable.

 

How can Thai's be so proud of their country when for the most part it is a giant rubbish tip ?

I went shopping with my daughter on Saturday.

 

She had a paper bag for a dress we got, then to another shop where she got 2 t-shirts.

 

She told them to put the 2 t-shirts in her paper bag - which they did AFTER putting each t-shirt in a plastic bag and then putting those into another larger plastic bag.

 

My daughter was dumfounded. She couldn't believe the 2 women in the shop didn't 'get' that the intent was to reduce plastic use.

 

She's 9 years old....

7 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

I went shopping with my daughter on Saturday.

She had a paper bag for a dress we got, then to another shop where she got 2 t-shirts.

She told them to put the 2 t-shirts in her paper bag - which they did AFTER putting each t-shirt in a plastic bag and then putting those into another larger plastic bag.

My daughter was dumfounded. She couldn't believe the 2 women in the shop didn't 'get' that the intent was to reduce plastic use.

She's 9 years old....

Quick - put her in charge of the initiative.

6 hours ago, longtom said:

So why does everybody still laugh if I bring my reusable bag for shopping?

Sent from my ASUS_X008D using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I do it for years

 

Never had a laugh in return

usually a surprised look first, then a "thank you"

7 hours ago, neeray said:

Any effort is a good effort. 

This is how a movement starts. 

We Farangs need to set an example (even if some laugh at us). 

Oh, blessed Farang.

What would they do without the likes of Farang to show them the correct path.

8 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I went shopping with my daughter on Saturday.

 

She had a paper bag for a dress we got, then to another shop where she got 2 t-shirts.

 

She told them to put the 2 t-shirts in her paper bag - which they did AFTER putting each t-shirt in a plastic bag and then putting those into another larger plastic bag.

 

My daughter was dumfounded. She couldn't believe the 2 women in the shop didn't 'get' that the intent was to reduce plastic use.

 

She's 9 years old....

And the 2 women working in that shop scratch their heads and wonder why they are only worth Baht 300/day... 

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Oh, blessed Farang.

What would they do without the likes of Farang to show them the correct path.

Drown in a sea of sh*t and rubbish?