Thailand to junk three kinds of plastic by end of this year

[webfact]

Thailand to junk three kinds of plastic by end of this year

By The Nation

 

 

End of this year, Thailand will be free from three types of plastic – microbeads, cap seals and oxo-degradable plastics – and from four other types of single-use plastics by 2022, according to a road map that got the Cabinet’s initial nod on Tuesday.
 

The Plastic Waste Management Road Map 2018-2030 also included an ambitious plan for Thailand to use 100 per cent recycled plastic by 2027 in various forms, including turning waste into energy, Assistant Government Spokesman Colonel Athisit Chainuwat said.

 

The four single-use plastics to be rid of by 2022 are: lightweight plastic bags less than 36 microns thick; styrofoam food containers for takeaways; plastic cups and plastic straws – with the exception of those who still need to use them such as the elderly, patients and children.

 

The Cabinet on Tuesday acknowledged the road map and assigned the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry to formulate a draft action plan for plastic waste management, so it is in line with the 20-year national strategy, he said. 

 

The Cabinet also called for clear details on related agencies’ role in the integration of the work for managing plastic waste, which will also get huge participation from the private and business sectors. The related state agencies should create various mechanisms to propel this forward such as creating a good understanding among agencies, continuously implementing a public relations campaign via social media to achieve the set goals, the Cabinet instructed. 

 

The work procedure must consider lifecycle plastic-waste management so steps are taken from the very start: with plastic products designed applying the “Eco Design” approach, manufacturing and post-consumption disposal which will include garbage separation, transport and storing, recycling and proper disposal.

 

According to the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, Thais generate as much as 1.14 kilogram of garbage per head per day, contributing to the 27.04 million tonnes of waste per year. 

 

One person uses approximately eight plastic bags a day – or 500 million plastic bags per day for the whole nation. 

 

Most of the plastic waste ends up in the oceans, accounting for 16 per cent of garbage in the seas.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367931

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-19

[MeePeeMai]

Good!  The sooner the better.

[dcnx]

Lots of talk here. I’ll believe it when I see it.

[chrisinth]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

One person uses approximately eight plastic bags a day – or 500 million plastic bags per day for the whole nation. 

 

Most of the plastic waste ends up in the oceans, accounting for 16 per cent of garbage in the seas.

I don't think I have ever used 8 plastic bags in a day. With the exception of any weekend shopping, not even in a week.

 

Now, the second statement above, does this mean that Thailand is responsible for 16% of pollution in all seas? And just to satisfy my curiosity, when the rubbish is collected from our homes, what is the process used to ditch 'most of the plastic' at sea?

 

IMO, unless they have replacements to substitute what they are planning to ban, this is a pipe dream. Even if they do have replacements, expect a price rise across the board to get the money back for a more expensive replacement.

[Lupatria]

I don't think my neighbors will get used to drink straight from the bottle or eat from banana leafs or paper plates within 3 years.

[Tayaout]

24 minutes ago, chrisinth said:

I don't think I have ever used 8 plastic bags in a day. With the exception of any weekend shopping, not even in a week.

 

Now, the second statement above, does this mean that Thailand is responsible for 16% of pollution in all seas? And just to satisfy my curiosity, when the rubbish is collected from our homes, what is the process used to ditch 'most of the plastic' at sea?

 

IMO, unless they have replacements to substitute what they are planning to ban, this is a pipe dream. Even if they do have replacements, expect a price rise across the board to get the money back for a more expensive replacement.

Maybe you don't do any groceries but the one who cook your food do. I bring my own durable bags (and I never see any one doing it) because it's just crazy how many bags they use. The bags are so thin they often use 2 bags to put like a 6 packs of water bottle that is already in a plastic packaging. Buy some fish or shrimp? Double layer of bags. Buy something in a glass jar? Double layer of bags... Go to 7/11 to buy a yaourt or 100ml of water? Plastic spoon, straw and plastic bag... etc. In my country at least you need to pay 0.05$ for each bag and you need to ask for them.

[StefanBBK]

Why wait. Do It NOW.

[justin case]

a lot of talk and not much show, TIT

 

many small businesses run on the above plastics

[Knocker33]

And what is the plan to replace these items with an alternative by the end of the year? 

 

[Tayaout]

4 minutes ago, Knocker33 said:

And what is the plan to replace these items with an alternative by the end of the year? 

 

If you read it says recycled/biodegradable plastic. I am a bit sceptical on this since even in Canada they deemed it too expensive.

[Phuketshrew]

Not so long ago 7/11 declared that they would stop the usage of plastic bags. Now I seem to get offered more than ever - sometimes a plastic bag inside a plastic bag. There does not seem to be the will to stop using them as it's the easiest option for the staff.

[Tayaout]

8 minutes ago, Bipolar said:

Seriously, this is simply stupid. Another manner in which Thailand is bending over to farang influence. Plastics are not the problem, it is the way that it is disposed. I like to see how the locals start disposing their rubbish and waste without plastic bags and most juristic maids will have a tough time cleaning the common areas. Maybe what I will do, is whenever I see a farang, simply discard my dirt at them! These so called climate friendly hypocrites. I really hate it when Asian countries are subjected to farang rules....if these farangs do not like anything, please do not stay in Asia...go back to where you came from.

There is no way to dispose of it. It degrade into microplastic and get blown by the wind. It is now in our food chain.

 

 

[mrjohn]

"Thailand free of plastic"??

 

Thais have been throwing it away for 30 years or more. The soil, the rivers the forests are full of it already. 

 

 

[trainman34014]

The Thai's use 'Land Fill' to dispose of most rubbish; look around the countryside and you will see it everywhere !

 

They could stop all the Supermarkets from distributing plastic bags overnight if they had the serious will to do it but talk is cheap and talk is what Thai 'Authorities' do best.

[Cadbury]

46 minutes ago, StefanBBK said:

Why wait. Do It NOW.

It won't happen! So it might as well not happen now as not happen later.

[Benmart]

54 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

Maybe you don't do any groceries but the one who cook your food do. I bring my own durable bags (and I never see any one doing it) because it's just crazy how many bags they use. The bags are so thin they often use 2 bags to put like a 6 packs of water bottle that is already in a plastic packaging. Buy some fish or shrimp? Double layer of bags. Buy something in a glass jar? Double layer of bags... Go to 7/11 to buy a yaourt or 100ml of water? Plastic spoon, straw and plastic bag... etc. In my country at least you need to pay 0.05$ for each bag and you need to ask for them.

I carry my own reusable bags in my "man purse" and have two in the car. Rarely do I see anyone using the same during my daily trip to Big C. Green bags are handed out like brown envelopes. lol.

[gwynt]

1 hour ago, chrisinth said:

I don't think I have ever used 8 plastic bags in a day. With the exception of any weekend shopping, not even in a week.

 

Now, the second statement above, does this mean that Thailand is responsible for 16% of pollution in all seas? And just to satisfy my curiosity, when the rubbish is collected from our homes, what is the process used to ditch 'most of the plastic' at sea?

 

IMO, unless they have replacements to substitute what they are planning to ban, this is a pipe dream. Even if they do have replacements, expect a price rise across the board to get the money back for a more expensive replacement.

As far as replacements, what do you think was used prior to the plastic revolution? 

These products are available in the market place

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=paper+packaging+bags&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjnl-W_g9vhAhVWdXAKHcLrB6YQsAR6BAgJEAE

And were always there prior to Oil companies "lobbying" which made plastic more available. same as paper/waxed straws food containers either cardboard or foil.

One of my pet hates.

Would it not be wonderful if they actually meant it?  

[Longcut]

Hey, don't forget this one!

[KKr]

Excellent Initiative, I love it.
guess the recycling facilities are stressed out as it is so the less plastic the better !
 

..https://www.globalresearch.ca/us-plastic-waste-exports-to-developing-countries-causing-environmental-problems-at-home-and-abroad/5657145

 

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed. 

[Eligius]

I see, according to the article, that the 'roadmap' is being invoked.

Right - we all know from long experience how accurate and reliable THAT will be!!

 

[nervona81732]

An alternative to plastics has been created some time ago. Just as strong and resilient as plastics

but BIG OIL petrochemical industry doesn't like competition. That alternative was/is HEMP. Biodegradable in a month after use. And the legalities of the raw material. Go figure why there is another continent floating around the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas.

[remobb]

I have just been to Bali and they have already banned plastic bags. Why can't Thailand follow suit?

 

ACT NOW!

[ZeVonderBearz]

50 minutes ago, Bipolar said:

Seriously, this is simply stupid. Another manner in which Thailand is bending over to farang influence. Plastics are not the problem, it is the way that it is disposed. I like to see how the locals start disposing their rubbish and waste without plastic bags and most juristic maids will have a tough time cleaning the common areas. Maybe what I will do, is whenever I see a farang, simply discard my dirt at them! These so called climate friendly hypocrites. I really hate it when Asian countries are subjected to farang rules....if these farangs do not like anything, please do not stay in Asia...go back to where you came from.

What a comment haha. Does every thread have to contain a fool like you telling people to leave, really? This time you shouldn't be going home if you don't like Thailand but the entire continent of Asia! Have you been to all of Asia then and can reliably inform us all that each and every Asian, from the east of the Bosporus to the most eastern shore of Russia, uses 8 plastic bags a day amongst other items of single use plastics? 

[toenail]

I don’t want to be a pessimist but for a country that is unable to stop farmers around Changmai from burning their fields (annually), unable to control reckless drivers on the road, or enforce building codes this “declaration” is only words and will see no action. 

[rwill]

When I was younger there were no plastic grocery bags.  Only paper ones.  Why not go back?

[seancbk]

1 hour ago, chrisinth said:

I don't think I have ever used 8 plastic bags in a day. With the exception of any weekend shopping, not even in a week.

 

 

 

 

You probably don't shop everyday in the wet markets where you see housewives with 10+ plastic bags of veggies, fruit and ready cooked food.   You also know they sell drinks in plastic bags each with a plastic straw.
 

 

[Paul Henry]

More wishfull thinking from the beaurocracy. If my memory serves me right bottle cap seals were to finish last year. What happened to that Government decision.OPPS sorry we forgot to make it happen!

[Sonhia]

Much the same as no plastic seal around the neck of a water bottle cap! 

 

More talk... No action as usual... Dribble... 

[moonseeker]

Just copy a first world country... 

Oppssss, but this won't the culture of i don't care.. 

. MS>