Campaign to cut plastic use continues

BANGKOK, September 15 (TNA) -- A trial run of a plastic bag usage reduction campaign in Thailand continues on Tuesday and will expand to two days a month starting on September 30. The campaign was launched on August 15 helping reduce nearly two million plastic bags, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment said. Sermyot Somman, deputy head of Environmental Quality Promotion Department, said 16 department and convenient stores participating in the campaign did not give plastic bags to shoppers on the 15th while customers were requested to bring cloth bags. The campaign for plastic bag reduction received positive response from both stores and customers as the number of plastic bags given out in one day drastically lowered. Begining on September 30, therefore, the campaign would be expanded to two days a month at convenience stores and supermarkets, Mr Sermyot said. The expansion is a result of an agreement by the Department and private businesses ahead of a plan to introduce a law requiring customers to pay for plastic bags. Thai authorities report that 7,000 tons of plastic and foam waste are generated in Thailand each day. (TNA)