Forty-three of Thailand’s biggest department and convenience stores will stop using plastic bags starting Jan. 1, according to the Thai government.
It may have taken everyone’s beloved dugong dying of plastic consumption to stir action over the country’s dangerous plastic habit, but the announcement – though light on details – could signal big measures on the horizon. This week two government environmental agencies met with dozens of large private retailers to discuss plans to stop selling and using plastic bags – except for hot items – in stores nationwide.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Warawut Silpa-archa said it would greatly reduce plastic use in Thailand. His aims for the kingdom to be completely plastic-free by 2021. Which stores and whether the list would include 7-Eleven, that most-frequented fixture of daily life and unnecessary bags, were not mentioned.
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The Plastics Institute Of Thailand estimates that Thailand produces 5.5 million plastic beads a year just for packaging purposes. However, only 5% of that trash is recycled. The rest finds its way to landfills or the ocean.
“Though most plastic can be recycled, our system of garbage collection and management is so terrible that our plastic trash doesn’t reach the recycling process as much as it should,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia Director Tara Buakamsri told Coconuts Bangkok in a recent interview.
Read our deep dive into Thailand’s plastic addiction and watch our short video about the 2-hectare Koh Lan landfill to learn more.
Related:
Baby Mariam’s death to be a wake-up call for environmental, wildlife conservation
Planet Plastic: Thai citizens suffer from plastic addiction and poor waste management (Video)
Koh Lan, Pattaya | Thailand’s Trash Island | Planet Plastic | Coconuts TV
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