I have been rapidly learning more and more about the prevalence of single-use plastic in Thailand, and decided to write about it here because I'm so excited to get involved in a reusable bag project there. BUT I'd like to caveat this post by saying that America has this problem too, and the American lifestyle over the past two centuries has contributed so heavily to environmental destruction around the world that it's almost unfathomable. My goal in this post is not to single out Thailand, to shame them, or to put any blame on their culture, but instead of use it as an eye-opening example of how deeply single-use plastic can be entwined with a culture and how devastating the effects can be... and therefore how much impact can be made when a change is made.
Thailand's Toxic Problem with Single-Use Plastic It’s no secret that Thailand has a plastic problem. Take a walk outside in any province and it won’t be long before encountering plastic littering the pavement, tangled in greenery, or being washed upon the shore. With more consumers becoming aware of the environmental impacts of plastic, as well as the growing focus on green business, where does Thailand measure in the pursuit of more eco-conscious behaviors? Thailand’s Reliance on Single-Use Plastic Plastic use in Thailand has largely become a matter of convenience. From laundry detergent and school supplies to a single pack of gum, items purchased in stores are automatically placed into plastic bags at check-out in order to be carried easily. With how uncommon it is to see paper or reusable tote bags at the cashier’s station, the default becomes to bag purchases in plastic. Even when items are small, there’s almost an expectation of receiving a purchase bagged and handed over to be easily carried away. The convenience factor extends beyond in store purchases. Drinks ordered at restaurants are often served in plastic cups, presumably to reduce time spent washing dishes. When drinks are ordered for take-away, they’re not only provided in a plastic to-go cup, but are often handed over with a plastic carrying strap so that consumers can easily hold their drink with just a finger. In addition to the convenience factor, the cost effectiveness of using plastic is another driving force behind the mass consumption of plastic in Thailand. Plastic bags and styrofoam are the typical materials used for packaging take-away food because their costs are low. Making the shift from the affordability of single-use plastic toward more expensive reusable materials can hinder some of the progress toward becoming a more eco-friendly country as a whole because ultimately cost often outweighs other considerations. Where Does it All Go? Though drastically reducing the amount of single-use plastic produced and used in Thailand is the main solution to addressing the harmful environmental impact, the second best option would be to ensure that plastic waste is properly managed. Of Thailand’s nearly 2500 waste management centers, “only 466 of them manage waste accordingly” (Ocharoenchai). With 1.03 million tons of plastic waste generated per year (Styllis), the amount mismanaged is alarming. By not properly disposing of waste, single-use plastics are simply left to deteriorate over time, negatively impacting the environment in the process. That often means that single-use plastics find their way to the ocean, green spaces, or various streets and communal spaces throughout the country where they leak harmful pollutants into the ground or waters. A popular method of disposing of waste in Thailand is burning the materials outdoors. Though simply burning plastic is a convenient method of disposal that also reduces the eye-sore of seeing it littering the ground, the toxins released from burning plastics are some of the most dangerous emissions to the environment and human health. The Future is Green Despite Thailand’s current state of affairs regarding single-use plastic, the future does hold opportunities for change. Perhaps due in part to much of the media focus on the trash littering the world’s oceans, or the recent death of a whale who washed up on Thailand’s shores filled with more than 80 plastic bags, the government has started to implement changes around the handling of plastic. (Update: after writing this article, a ban prohibiting visitors from “taking plastic carrier bags, foam boxes, cups, and containers into all of Thailand’s 150+ national parks” was enacted in June of this year (Williams) in an effort to curtail the reliance on single-use plastics and other waste.) The move to reduce single-use plastic has extended beyond government practices as well. One of Thailand’s major supermarket chains, Tesco Lotus, created a 'Green Bag Green Point' campaign. For each bag saved, a customer can earn one Green Clubcard point, encouraging customers to opt for a reusable bag or bring their own instead (“Thailand Fights Addiction”). Similarly, the island of Koh Tao is moving toward being plastic free. The first 7-Eleven just rid themselves of plastic bags, and several diving centers, restaurants and other businesses are following suit (van den Berg). If Thailand hopes to decrease its plastic consumption over the next few years, there will need to be more policies with tangible consequences for using plastic, as well as a greater focus on educating the public about the harms of using and disposing of single-use plastic. With more awareness to how problematic plastic waste can truly be, as well a greater appreciation for all that the environment does, Thailand stands a huge chance in changing the climate around single-use plastic. SOURCES Ocharoenchai, Nanticha. “Producer Responsibility: the Key to Solving Thailand’s Plastic Crisis.” Greenpeace, Greenpeace, 14 June 2017, http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/blog/producer-responsibility-the-key-to-solving-th/blog/59748/ Styllis, George. “Thailand Falling Behind in Global Battle with Plastic Waste.” Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei, 5 June 2018, https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thailand-falling-behind-in-global-battle-with-plastic-waste. “Thailand Fights Addiction to Plastic Bags.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 28 June 2010, www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/28/thailand-plastic-bags. van den Berg, Marcel. “First 7-Eleven Goes Plastic Bag Free on Koh Tao in Thailand!” Sairee Cottage Diving IDC, Diving Instructor Courses on Koh Tao Island, 8 Sept. 2018, www.idckohtaothailand.com/7-eleven-plastic-bag-free-koh-tao-thailand/. Williams, Sarah. “Thailand's National Parks Ban Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 16 June 2018, www.theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/thailands-national-parks-ban-plastic-bags-and-styrofoam-containers/.
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