Regional News
Thailand’s Retailers to Stop Handing Out Single Use Plastic Bags
A campaign like this shows that Thailand, which is ranked sixth in the world for generating sea waste, is attempting to reduce plastic waste.
BANGKOK – The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and 43 private shopping stores have announced “ Everyday Say No to Plastic Bags” campaign.
Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said that under the campaign, 43 shops will stop giving plastic bags to customers. They will persuade shoppers to switch to cloth bags.
Giant retailers, plastic manufacturing titans, and department stores reached an agreement on Friday to stop handing out single-use plastic bags. As of January 1st, 2020 stores will no longer offer single-use plastic bags.
Under the roadmap to manage plastic garbage between 2018 – 2030, the government aims to reduce single-use plastics and to reuse 100% of plastic waste by 2027.
The retailers have vowed to stop giving out single-use plastic bags to customers starting January.
Thailand, which is ranked sixth in the world for generating sea waste, is attempting to reduce plastic waste.
It is estimated that Thais use 45 billion single-use plastic bags per year.
Of this number, 13.5 billion — about 30% — is generated from department stores and 24-hour convenience stores.
While another 30% of plastic waste comes from mom-and-pop shops, street vendors and markets.
The environment minister said cooperation from these retail titans can help to reduce single-use plastic usage by 30%.
Styrofoam food packages and single-use plastic items, including lightweight plastic bags, straws and cups will also be banned as on 2022.
The ban is part of the government’s roadmap on plastic management for the 2018-2030 period.
The master plan also sets a goal to have all plastic materials and waste in Thailand recycled by 2030.
In a related development, the environmental ministry said it is drafting a law that would govern the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic waste and materials.
If adopted, this item of legislation will become the first law on waste reuse and recycling.
Part of the law will require garbage producers to bear responsibility in separating waste into different groups for recycling.
Source, TNT, Bangkok Post
