 By the time you’ve read this article, over 205 billion plastic bags will have been consumed worldwide this year, according to grassroots group ReusableBags.com.
The same group’s online resource suggests that between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are consumed annually worldwide with billions of them ending up as litter. Other references suggest as many as five trillion plastic bags per year are consumed worldwide, so perhaps the true figure lies somewhere in between.
I wonder how many readers have been shopping and then suddenly realized – with pangs of guilt - that they’ve forgotten to take a reusable bag? Such a faux pas might mean – with a sense of guilt - having to pick up some plastic bags after all. Can you imagine a world with plastic bags? Is it very far away?
There are several reasons why plastic bags are deemed highly offensive to mankind. A significant quantity of oil is used in the manufacturing process, while the production process itself consumes other forms of energy and resources, such as electricity and water.
When tossed into the wild, it’s said that plastic bags can entrap wildlife or marine life, although some scientists have recently begun questioning this claim. There’s no doubt, however, that they contribute hugely to the waste held in landfills.
The worldwide response
In light of a heightened level of understanding among the general populace worldwide regarding environmental issues, many countries, particularly more developed countries, are beginning to use legislation to try and make an impact and bring about positive changes.
In California, for example, legislation imposed a 25% tax on plastic bags, while a hugely-successful ‘PlasTax’ in the Republic of Ireland means that consumers there have been getting charged the equivalent of about US$0.20 (about 6.50 baht) per plastic bag since 2002.
It’s estimated that the imposition of the tax resulted in a 90% drop in consumption. In other words, Ireland now uses about a billion fewer plastic bags per year than before the tax was introduced. Similar legislation was introduced in Scotland and is under discussion for the rest of the UK.
In Australia, about 90% of retailers have signed up for the government’s voluntary program to reduce plastic bag usage. Even within Asia, some positive initiatives have been rolled out to improve the situation.
In Taiwan, for example, convenience stores, restaurants, and supermarkets must now charge their customers for plastic bags and utensils. This move has already led to a reduction in usage.
China’s recent decision to ban free plastic bags is expected to result in a potential saving of 37 million barrels of oil. Not only is the country being hailed for such a bold move by civic groups in the US, it clearly offers business and economic benefits. The ban will become effective on June 1, and the government’s new legislation means that companies breaking the law face fines and possible forfeiture of goods.
The environmental effects
One of the most dramatic impacts of heavy plastic bag usage, according to international environmental group Planet Ark, is on marine life. About 100,000 whales, seals, turtles, and other marine animals are said to be killed worldwide every year by plastic bags thrown away as garbage.
When it comes to litter, the results of humanity’s disregard for others is plain to see. ReusableBags.com estimates that the main culprit, single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), will accumulate and potentially remain in a non-degradable state for up to 1,000 years.
People in China refer to plastic bags seen blowing around the streets as “white pollution”.
Tables turning
The first plastic bags (for sandwiches) were introduced to the United States in 1957. Department stores began using them in greater quantities during the late 1970s and they became more or less the norm in supermarket chains by the early 1980s. But now we can expect plastic bag usage to drop significantly, assuming successful policies, like the PlasTax in Ireland, become more common.
Although some manufacturers have taken proactive stances by vowing to work with retailers to promote more recycling, efforts to “put off the inevitable” these days are likely to fall on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, large department stores in the kingdom have already introduced various promotions aimed at encouraging a reduction in plastic bag usage. Central Department Store, for example, offered consumers who refuse to accept a plastic bag during a shopping trip at its stores a 5% discount if using a Central credit card to pay for goods.
Other outlets offer alternatives, such as canvas, cloth, or reusable synthetic bags as a way of promoting a reduction in plastic bag usage.
|
|
 Does promoting an alternative bag work?
While the government and private sectors have largely promoted the use of plastic bags, the public seems to be slowly considering alternative ways of carrying home shopping, such as the reusable bags of various shapes and styles just mentioned.
“Two hundred baht, please,” a shop assistant said, as she tucked my new canvas bag into another plastic bag. And it’s not unusual in Bangkok to see someone carrying a reusable bag containing lots of items packed in small plastic bags!
And while many countries seem to be making real efforts these days to discourage plastic bag usage, I get the feeling that to make a significant positive impact; it’s people who will really need to change their habits.
Behind every piece of trash carelessly tossed into the public domain, a person is responsible for putting it there. So from this perspective, governments and other stakeholders really need to educate the populace to not litter in the first place.
Just say ‘no’
While the imposition of a charge for plastic bags may prove inconvenient for shoppers, the public should understand that the usage of free plastic bags is environmentally irresponsible. And when it comes to making sacrifices, naturally there’s no gain without some pain.
A round of applause
Countries that have already banned or taken action to discourage the use of free plastic bags include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Italy, Rwanda, South Africa, and Taiwan. The state of Mumbai in India has banned free plastic bags. |
|
Lifestyle
Whether it's traversing the relatively cosmopolitan “urban free-for-all” that is Bangkok, with its trendy malls, urban wellness centers and posh fitness centers, or perhaps traversing the wild trails outside city limits, explore activities to suit your lifestyle.
contact 
sitemap
advertise with us
