It was banned in Australia about 30 yrs ago as food containers.

Agree, but the biggest problem is plastic bags.

7-11 and even Mom and Pop shops....please stop the plastic

7-11 could really make a great marketing strategy out of stopping the use of plastic...please do it

Thailand is becoming a rubbish dump.....so sad

Someone bought land with garbage on it? No problem, just buy few trucks with dirt and cover it, the Thai way

Seen it many times...

I force my wife to buy bio degradable bags for her shop.

But it takes two to tango. Duh! if they are banned and unavailable then problem solved. Silly little country with silly little people

Exactly. Why try to control the action of millions when a ban would involve controlling a few factories.

I doubt doubt the stuff is profitable to.ship, so just stop making it.

I was in Manilla a few months back, And everything was in paper, fast foods, grocery etc...

Felt weird carring a paper bag,like the old days.

It can be done, but the Thai officials don't care, lazy, too busy shafting the next guy.

The big issue here is one of litter everywhere and styrofoam is part of the problem.

It's quite shocking how much litter is in Thailand. I don't believe that Thai's don't care, I suspect that they have lived with it all their lives and accept it as inevitable.

Remember some years ago (may be quite a number of years now) they replaced all drink and food containers at the Danish Roskilde (music) Festival with organic container – think made of potatoes and you could actually eat the container, and if deposed as litter it would disappear in nature within reasonable time.

Just a quick Google-search find this:

“BagasseWare unbleached bowls are made from bagasse the fibrous pulp that remains after the juice is extracted from sugarcane. Great for hot or cold foods, grease-resistant, microwave-safe, and 100% compostable.”

-at: http://biomasspackagingstore.com/Deli-take-out-soup-food-containers.aspx

"Sugarcane remains" there should be plenty of in Thailand...

And another for packing our fragile stuff:

“Growing a Replacement for Styrofoam”

-at: http://organicconnectmag.com/growing-a-replacement-for-styrofoam/

Cannot be that difficult, and Thailand seems to have all potentials to grow and create a new industry...

I think Harvard Medical School "DISAGREES" with this article and all the fear mongering going on. Time to stop the Urban Legends. Here's the "facts" and not hearsay.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_081606.htm

That is only one side. What about the RUBBISH factor? that is truly just as concerning. AND as for HARVARD? that was the HEALTH news section which OFTEN has different opinions and they quote ONE DOCTOR not a consensus.

The view MEDICALLY on plastic and Styrofoam is IT IS BEST avoided. No need to consult Google. I am a Doctor and that is what I am trained in. CHEMICALS in = CONCERN. Plastics are a concern and we still DO NOT KNOW the full effects of these products but we do know they lead to certain CANCERS.

To the contrary, we do know the long term effects. Poly expanded foam has been around for decades. Certain "release " agents used to separate the plastic from the molds caused most of the trouble. Those issues have been resolved. And as a "Doctor" you know that every frigging thing on this planet we come in contact with can cause some form of cancer or disease. Too much or to little will kill you. Petroleum products just being one of them.

But I do agree with the problem of "Trash" being a major concern here and the rest of the world too for that matter. Look at all the garbage floating out in the ocean.

I agree with you. I have worked with styrene for 40 years and according to the latest reports in the British Medical Journal and EU reports there is no correlation between styrene and cancer.

My field is Water & Waste treatment and recycling and therefore I have considerable experience dealing with toxic materials.

Personally I don't trust doctors who say they are "experts". I lost a two week old son and nearly lost my life four times in the past, due to Doctors not being up to date on the latest in treatments for bacterial infections and toxicology.

I helped write the Bangkok Solid Waste Master Plan. AIT say that styrofoam cannot be recycled so they don't do it here. However, Styrofoam can be recycled very easily. All that is needed is a conveyor belt feed to a rotating knife/chopper and then a press/extruder. It is not allowed to be reused for food containers for psychological reasons, but can be reused for many other uses including packaging. I used to work with a Vietnamese Company that mines plastic from old landfills and turns them into pipes, conduits, furniture, paving tiles and a host of other uses. The benefit is that it reduces the demand for oil. The technology is popular in Vietnam and China.

New recycling centres are proposed, following the fires on current tips, let us hope that this time they are run correctly. They will also need to force Thais to put their rubbish in the right bins as they could not care less about separation at source. They put hazardous waste, dry waste, wet(green waste) and non-recyclables all in the same bins if they don't just throw it over their shoulders.

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by Estrada

I think the Thai prime minister is made of styrofoam

Lovely wit and gave me a good chuckle

Thanks!

Well it means nothing to me.

As always an army of people start say "Ban it".... This is often the wrong way. Plastic 6, Styrofoam, is well to recycle. And as you see some people here going trough the bins looking for water bottles the same they can do for plastic 6. But on this moment there is no recycle plant in Thailand that can do this on a environmental way.

I see here stories from Cha Am and Hua Hin, but the same problem is everywhere in Thailand. The hole coast of Thailand is filled with dirt. For this reason we left the beach of Bang Sean.

Thailand just have to step up education, then people will see it, find solutions for it. Ban things or give fines did never stop people from doing things.

I was in Manilla a few months back, And everything was in paper, fast foods, grocery etc...

Felt weird carring a paper bag,like the old days.

It can be done, but the Thai officials don't care, lazy, too busy shafting the next guy.

it can certainly be done but then we get the accusations of being tree murdering, climate change denying Neanderthals by the green brethren.

Not to worry, The southern Muslims will create a problem using styrofoam and laws will be passed.

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by IAMHERE

The only way that they will be able to reduce the use of Styrofoam other than ban it is to come up with another container that is biodegradable and costs less!

I remember many years ago in the US when the grocery stores gave you a choice of bags at checkout "plastic or paper" now it's hard to even find a suitable paper bag!

And they asked how you would like to pay...plastc or paper. Now it's all just plastic..

The only way that they will be able to reduce the use of Styrofoam other than ban it is to come up with another container that is biodegradable and costs less!

I remember many years ago in the US when the grocery stores gave you a choice of bags at checkout "plastic or paper" now it's hard to even find a suitable paper bag!

. San Francisco outlawed Styrofoam, now comes in a corrugated type cardboard, biodegradable also banned plastic bags...

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by Dannyboy666

The only way that they will be able to reduce the use of Styrofoam other than ban it is to come up with another container that is biodegradable and costs less!

I remember many years ago in the US when the grocery stores gave you a choice of bags at checkout "plastic or paper" now it's hard to even find a suitable paper bag!

And they asked how you would like to pay...plastc or paper. Now it's all just plastic..

. It's 10 cents a bag now for paper in San Francisco...

By law, the Thai Royal Family are above politics. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

A post and a reply has been removed.

As always an army of people start say "Ban it".... This is often the wrong way. Plastic 6, Styrofoam, is well to recycle. And as you see some people here going trough the bins looking for water bottles the same they can do for plastic 6. But on this moment there is no recycle plant in Thailand that can do this on a environmental way.

I see here stories from Cha Am and Hua Hin, but the same problem is everywhere in Thailand. The hole coast of Thailand is filled with dirt. For this reason we left the beach of Bang Sean.

Thailand just have to step up education, then people will see it, find solutions for it. Ban things or give fines did never stop people from doing things.

There is no such thing like "recycle". It's always a downcycle.

To prevent, ban such a rubbish thing would be more effective than to collect, transport and downcycle.

I live right next to beach. There is not one square foot of pure, clean sand. Plastic, styrofoam, rubber and more sh*t everywhere. Is this the world we want to hand over to our children and grandchildren and all following generations ?

When we're already at it, why don't we conclude the more serious issues such as Aspartame and other GMOs in food, sauces and what not. Furthermore, high concentration of fluoride in toothpaste and water... These are more sickening then styrofoam.

Gentlemen: If you are already aware you want a get-away snack, then avoid these stalls or let them put it in plastic bags. I bet the most of you moaning about this particular subject are conveniently brushing your teeth with sodium fluoride every morning.

By law, the Thai Royal Family are above politics. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

A post and a reply has been removed.

. OK understood, but meant with a Great Deal of Respect...

I think the Thai prime minister is made of styrofoam

Lovely wit and gave me a good chuckle

Thanks!

Well it means nothing to me.

Oooohh Vienna!

The only way that they will be able to reduce the use of Styrofoam other than ban it is to come up with another container that is biodegradable and costs less!

I remember many years ago in the US when the grocery stores gave you a choice of bags at checkout "plastic or paper" now it's hard to even find a suitable paper bag!

When I was in China recently, I noticed two things about plastic bags;

1) If you didn't bring a bag, then you had to pay for one.

2) All the bags had a rubbery feel to them, and I was told that the new mixture helps them break down more rapidly.

A plus here in Chiang Mai is that Rimpings bags are all biodegradable.

Polystyrene packaging beads have been replaced in many countries by beads based on corn starch. You can't tell the difference until they are wet, and they dissolve.

When we're already at it, why don't we conclude the more serious issues such as Aspartame and other GMOs in food, sauces and what not. Furthermore, high concentration of fluoride in toothpaste and water... These are more sickening then styrofoam.

Gentlemen: If you are already aware you want a get-away snack, then avoid these stalls or let them put it in plastic bags. I bet the most of you moaning about this particular subject are conveniently brushing your teeth with sodium fluoride every morning.

I always brush with my Tinfoil hat on, so I think I'm immune...55555555

As always an army of people start say "Ban it".... This is often the wrong way. Plastic 6, Styrofoam, is well to recycle. And as you see some people here going trough the bins looking for water bottles the same they can do for plastic 6. But on this moment there is no recycle plant in Thailand that can do this on a environmental way.

I see here stories from Cha Am and Hua Hin, but the same problem is everywhere in Thailand. The hole coast of Thailand is filled with dirt. For this reason we left the beach of Bang Sean.

Thailand just have to step up education, then people will see it, find solutions for it. Ban things or give fines did never stop people from doing things.

There is no such thing like "recycle". It's always a downcycle.

To prevent, ban such a rubbish thing would be more effective than to collect, transport and downcycle.

I live right next to beach. There is not one square foot of pure, clean sand. Plastic, styrofoam, rubber and more sh*t everywhere. Is this the world we want to hand over to our children and grandchildren and all following generations ?

Since you live near the beach, perhaps you should start picking up some of the rubbish...lead by example...you never know you might start a trend that others may follow. Or just whine on line and hope the problem goes away all by itself.

The only way that they will be able to reduce the use of Styrofoam other than ban it is to come up with another container that is biodegradable and costs less!

I remember many years ago in the US when the grocery stores gave you a choice of bags at checkout "plastic or paper" now it's hard to even find a suitable paper bag!

wife got somewhere a nice blue bag, - here in Thailand - that says on it NO PLASTIC, SAVE THE WORLD....

all that, on an obviously plastic bag. TiT!

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by tingtong

I think Harvard Medical School "DISAGREES" with this article and all the fear mongering going on. Time to stop the Urban Legends. Here's the "facts" and not hearsay.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_081606.htm

I never understood in my life why the most of the people understand what means MICKEY MOUSE , but never es. Nano or Micro ! 55555

Probably it is because of the television.

I always try to tell those people, that the - Television is the Armchair of the Fantasy - and the Fantasy is the - Mother of the Creativity

Stop looking stupid TV-programs and go out to meet nice people eating Khao Soy Gay in a safe plastic box, heated up in the Microwaf. 5555!

But I know already what most of the people are doing this night - after or before, probably instead: Looking TV

EPS is recyclable but that may be beyond the Thailand Hub of Technology.

I think Harvard Medical School "DISAGREES" with this article and all the fear mongering going on. Time to stop the Urban Legends. Here's the "facts" and not hearsay.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_081606.htm

I never understood in my life why the most of the people understand what means MICKEY MOUSE , but never es. Nano or Micro ! 55555

Probably it is because of the television.

I always try to tell those people, that the - Television is the Armchair of the Fantasy - and the Fantasy is the - Mother of the Creativity

Stop looking stupid TV-programs and go out to meet nice people eating Khao Soy Gay in a safe plastic box, heated up in the Microwaf. 5555!

But I know already what most of the people are doing this night - after or before, probably instead: Looking TV

The drugs have kicked in in? Have great night!!

As always an army of people start say "Ban it".... This is often the wrong way. Plastic 6, Styrofoam, is well to recycle. And as you see some people here going trough the bins looking for water bottles the same they can do for plastic 6. But on this moment there is no recycle plant in Thailand that can do this on a environmental way.

I see here stories from Cha Am and Hua Hin, but the same problem is everywhere in Thailand. The hole coast of Thailand is filled with dirt. For this reason we left the beach of Bang Sean.

Thailand just have to step up education, then people will see it, find solutions for it. Ban things or give fines did never stop people from doing things.

There is no such thing like "recycle". It's always a downcycle.

To prevent, ban such a rubbish thing would be more effective than to collect, transport and downcycle.

I live right next to beach. There is not one square foot of pure, clean sand. Plastic, styrofoam, rubber and more sh*t everywhere. Is this the world we want to hand over to our children and grandchildren and all following generations ?

Since you live near the beach, perhaps you should start picking up some of the rubbish...lead by example...you never know you might start a trend that others may follow. Or just whine on line and hope the problem goes away all by itself.

. Yeah, I used to do that in Newport Beach CA for Kharma and exercise, I never saw anybody else, but it felt good to be doing it, I would watch people from Riverside bring their Taco Bell crap and sit there and eat and just get up and walk away, Appalling... But maybe Thailand is Different or Same Same...

Polystyrene packaging beads have been replaced in many countries by beads based on corn starch. You can't tell the difference until they are wet, and they dissolve.

And they're edible too! I like to demonstrate this to my students in Earth science class. You should see the looks on their faces when I start munching on packing material that they assume is "toxic" Styrofoam.

Edited November 2, 201411 yr by attrayant

Polystyrene packaging beads have been replaced in many countries by beads based on corn starch. You can't tell the difference until they are wet, and they dissolve.

And they're edible too! I like to demonstrate this to my students in Earth science class. You should see the looks on their faces when I start munching on packing material that they assume is "toxic" Styrofoam.

...and very water soluble, as I discovered when I put a couple of litres of the things on top of a heated water bath in the lab.! My first experience of them.