- Title: Thai supermarkets join effort to reduce plastic waste
- Date: 1st January 2020
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (JANUARY 1, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS THAI NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER VARAWUT SILPA-ARCHA, HANDING OUT CLOTH BAGS TO SHOPPERS IN TESCO LOTUS DEPARTMENT STORE VARAVUT WALKING / OFFICIALS HOLDING SIGNS READING (English and Chinese): EVERYDAY SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS" VARAVUT HANDING OUT BAGS TO SHOPPERS CASHIER STAFF WORKING SHOPPERS STANDING AT CASHIER COUNTERS VARIOUS CASHIER STAFF PUTTING GOODS IN A SHOPPER'S NON-PLASTIC BAGS VARIOUS OF SHOPPER OPENING UP REUSED PLASTIC BAG, STAFF PUTTING GOODS IN IT HANDS PACKING GOODS INTO REUSED PLASTIC BAG SHOPPERS STANDING AT CASHIER COUNTER (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT VARAWUT SILPA-ARCHA, SAYING: "Thailand was ranked at number sixth among the world's top countries that dumps waste into the sea. During the past five months, we were down to the 10th of the rank. Within just five to six months we managed to come down by up to four ranks, thanks to the cooperation of the Thai people." SIGNS READING (English and Chinese): EVERYDAY SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS" OFFICIALS STANDING FOR PHOTO (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT VARAWUT SILPA-ARCHA, SAYING: "The most challenging is the last 40 per cent (of plastic bag users) at fresh markets and locals in rural areas. It's not going to be easy to change the way of thinking and behaviour of those people." SHOPPERS AT CASHIER COUNTERS GOODS BEING PUTTING IN PLASTIC BAG / CUSTOMER PAYING FOR PLASTIC BAG CUSTOMER WITH CHARGEABLE PLASTIC BAG AT COUNTER GOODS BEING PACKED IN CHARGEABLE PLASTIC BAG (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) SHOPPER WHO DID NOT BRING BAG, PORNSAWAN PIBOONTHAEW, SAYING: "I know (about the plastic ban), but I didn't intend to do shopping today. I was just going to bring my child for a stroll and then suddenly decided to come and buy something. So we have to buy the (plastic) bag." BAGS CONTAINING GOODS IN SHOPPING CART (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) SHOPPER WHO PREPARED CLOTH BAGS, SUPANNEE BURUT-THONG, SAYING: "At first, I was not used to it (bringing shopping bags) because sometimes I just came with my bare hands and forgot about it. When I remember, I will carry it along." PEOPLE AT CASHIER COUNTERS / SHOPPER PUSHING CART AWAY
- Embargoed: 15th January 2020 10:56
- Keywords: Thailand bring your own bags plastic bags ban plastic ban shoppers supermarkets
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA001BUCAVYF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Thailand began the year on Wednesday (January 1) with a ban on single-use plastic bags at major stores, continuing a campaign launched by the government and retailers towards a complete ban in 2021 to reduce waste and debris in the sea.
Public awareness of the risk to animals and the environment from such waste was raised last year in a series of incidents where animals including a deer and a baby dugong were found dead with plastics in their digestive systems.
"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 after handing out reusable bags to the public.
The ministry says the country reduced the use of plastic bags by 2 billion, or about 5,765 tonnes last year, in the first phase of a campaign that encourages consumers to voluntarily refuse plastic bags from stores. Varawut said the most challenging aspect would be the last 40% of plastic bag used at fresh markets and in rural areas.
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