People get creative following Thailand's single-use plastic ban
Hey, you've got to carry your groceries somehow.
It's the latest step in a government-led campaign to reduce waste.
Officials were prompted to initiate the ban, in part, by public awareness campaigns about the risks plastic waste poses to the environment.
“Thailand was ranked sixth among the world’s top countries that dumps waste into the sea,” Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-Archa told reporters January 1 after handing out reusable bags on the first day the ban went into effect.
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“During the past five months, we were down to 10th … thanks to the cooperation of the Thai people.”
According to the ministry, Thailand reduced its plastic bag output by 5,765 tonnes in 2019.
And now that plastic bags aren't being offered at major retailers, people are finding creative ways to transport their goods, including wheelbarrows, laundry baskets, rice cookers, luggage, and ... giant pylons.
Check it out:
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN COMING TO CANADA
In June 2019, it was announced that the Trudeau government plans to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021.
Prohibited items are likely to include plastic straws, cotton swabs, drink stirrers, plates, cutlery, and balloon sticks, in addition to plastic bags and certain types of fast-food containers.
VIDEO: ARE CANADIANS WILLING TO PAY FOR A SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN?
Thumbnail image courtesy: Unsplash/Arnel Hasanovic