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As Thailand Is Banning Plastic Bags, These 30 People Have Come Up With Awesome And Unusual Alternatives
Pollution sucks. And while you might not think that buying a plastic bag contributes to it that much, it gets out of hand if all 7.5 billion of us do the same.
Thailand kicked off 2020 with a bang. Only it wasn't fireworks that caused it. The country started actively fighting its environmental problems, banning single-use plastic bags at some of the major stores. According to Reuters, it's a continuation of a campaign by the local government and retailers that brings Thailand closer towards a complete ban in 2021 in an attempt to reduce waste and debris in the surrounding areas. And it's brilliant.
What's really cool about it is the way shoppers are adapting to it. They're not whining on social media or anything. On the contrary, they're embracing the changes. Photos of Thais carrying their groceries in T-shirts, suitcases, buckets, and even ceramic pots have been going viral, and they perfectly capture how creative people get when it comes to something they're really passionate about.
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In part, public support for the campaign has been rising due to the increased risk to animals and the environment from such waste. For example, there were several incidents where animals including a deer and a baby dugong were found dead with plastic in their digestive systems last year."
Thailand was ranked sixth among the world’s top countries that dump waste into the sea,” Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-Archa told the media on Wednesday. “During the past five months, we were down to 10th ... thanks to the cooperation of the Thai people."
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The ministry stated that the country reduced the use of plastic bags by 2 billion (about 5,765 tonnes) during the first phase of the campaign last year. Reportedly, it really encouraged consumers to refuse plastic bags voluntarily.
Varawut said the biggest challenge is to get rid of the remaining 40% of plastic bags used at fresh markets and in rural areas, "It’s not going to be easy to change the way of thinking and behavior of those people."
#3
TheCakeIsAPie 6 years ago
Honestly the best part of this picture is the cashier like dude you gonna check out or...
Sarah Schmidt 6 years ago
Oh nice now he can bring home his completely in plastic wrapped groceries without using a plastic bag! Honestly, I'm terrified how politics make the smallest changes to show themselves as the saviors of the world while completely ignoring the big picture
Christina Uhlir 6 years ago
I agree Sarah; at the end, corrupt politicians will side with the companies which manufacture one-use, disposable wrappings and containers.
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Non-New-Toni-An 6 years ago
Banning plastic bags is good in one way but at the same time it makes life harder for all the poor ppl when it's the rich and powerful who are really to blame for harming the planet.
Christina Uhlir 6 years ago
We all are guilty of harming the planet by not paying attention, being irresponsible consumers and thus supporting the rich and powerful businesses who put their profits ahead of anything.
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Tami Bridges 6 years ago
my favorite thing in addition to the huge amount of paper products and chips...those pink flops though
Kevin Donegan 6 years ago
What's worse ... the plastic bags that all the grocery items would go into or all the plastic bottles and plastic bagging of the products themselves!!
#7
TheCakeIsAPie 6 years ago
I love it. Sure it is plastic, but it is very sturdy and can last for many years. That vs over a thousand bags, its a no brainer.
#18
M O'Connell 6 years ago
@glorytherainwing, it's probably for large bulky items which are light in weight. There's no point in using more reed than you really need to.
#19
TheCakeIsAPie 6 years ago
Thats actually for cooking rice (among other things). It may be small but it is durable. (Good if you are a local and pick up a few items every day)
#24
#29
#30
Add New Image
What do you think ?
lailyfnoor 6 years ago
Why don't use shopping bag? Reusable and can be carried everywhere, even sometimes fashionable
Dippin Dot 6 years ago
I think this post was meant to highlight the more unique solutions to the ban... not just a bunch of people with normal cloth bags that are commonly used everywhere.
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Sterrinatu 6 years ago (edited)
I'll never understand the negativity that comes from articles like this. While I agree this won't change the world but it's a step in the right direction. It surprises me how many people think they can't survive with out a plastic bag for their groceries. This pretty much proves if you take them away entirely people are capable of being creative and finding a way to make it work. I guess you just have to force them to learn to live without.
Helen Haley 6 years ago
Because most of us buy more than a suitcase of food at a time. Stocking up so you don't have to go to the grocery store constantly. Been that way since the advent of the refrigerator. We just can't conceive of a practical way to continue grocery shopping that doesn't make it so odious that we all DREAD grocery shopping. It wasn't a fun chore to begin with.
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Florencia Renedo 6 years ago
I am wondering how the street food vendors are handling this, since all carry-out food in Thailand is placed in little plastic bags...
Helen Haley 6 years ago
How do you conveniently carry around that many cloth bags? How big is your purse?
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Steve Cruz 6 years ago
When I walk to the store, I take a 3-wheel stroller I bought at a garage sale for $5. Pulled out all the pads and threw them away, I get smiles and waves from drivers who think I'm a good daddy (or granddaddy). When I'm at a crosswalk, cars frequently stop to let me cross.
Leo H 6 years ago
Funny ban plastic bags but plastic disposible diapers now loaded w human waste are okay for our landfills. Why not include plastic diapers
Whatshername 6 years ago
In our country these get recycled too. Even small villages have a diaper dumpster.
Load More Replies...
Patti Renwick Parrish 6 years ago
I wish the US would ban plastic bags. I see them blowing everywhere, littering our landscape. BRING BACK PAPER BAGS!
Glynis Lailann 6 years ago
Bravo! Local industry should step up and get the basket weavers to make shopping baskets. After all, their baskets, in all shapes and sizes, get exported the world over.
bill marsano 6 years ago
These are the "top 30" images? Re-edit, please. Most of these solutions are clumsy and unimaginative as well as likely to inconvenience everyone else in the store. The smart people used their roller suitcases or (plastic) shopping bags. Problem is that majority of people see plastic bags as single-use items and toss rather than re-use them. This wasteful shortsightedness has sparked the plastic-straw boycott, as well-intentioned movement that has, however, achieved terminal stupidity: people ADDING to waste by buying glass or stainless-steel straws, as if: (a) production of glass and steel had no eco downside; (b) it is possible to consume many drinks without straws; and (c) the original plastic straws they heedlessly threw into the trash couldn't have been re-used countless times after a simple rinse at the sink. The gag is that the glass and steel straws sell for up to $10 and have to be cleaned after use anyway.
Whatshername 6 years ago
My thoughts exactly. Until I read Dippin Dot's comment: "I think this post was meant to highlight the more unique solutions to the ban... not just a bunch of people with normal cloth bags that are commonly used everywhere."
Load More Replies...
furrybumkins 6 years ago
I would use a fishing net if I didn't have to consider how I'd get a full net of groceries on the bus.
Charlese Bonca 6 years ago
Oops not meant to post on here, meant to post on that disgusting girl who posted "wAnT mE tO bE yOuR mIsTrEsS!?"
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Bill 6 years ago
I'm stockpiling plastic shopping bags now so when the ban kicks in I will still have plastic bags for my groceries. (and bagging up the litterbox)
(づ´• ͜ʖ •)づ Ta Da 6 years ago
Plastic bags have been banned in the outer banks for a while. Since it is a beach town. You can buy a whole box of them cheap from Costco in other states or even off of the internet. I suggest buying the cheap compostable ones for cat litter off of Amazon. Doesn’t hurt the environment and easily disposes if animal biohazards. They are also seriously cheap you can even get them at dollar stores.
Load More Replies...
Zelda Blue 6 years ago
They are all very creative and found a way to work through the issue of no plastic bags. Kudos to them.
Lenka Smetanová 6 years ago
The Good thing is I have enough of that single use plastic bag at home to REUSED it for really long time
Everleigh 6 years ago
Here in California, they banned plastic bags awhile ago and they won't let you bring these things inside I don't believe. I would be shocked if they do! Lol! Maybe if you live like in the ghetto or somewhere like that! Lmao!
Laurel Crooks 6 years ago
California did not ban plastic bags. They just started charging for them. As for the rest of your comment, stop being racist.
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Carol Emory 6 years ago
So people are using whatever they can to stop using plastic shopping bags..Great. Now they need to get on companies to stop using plastic packaging, bottles and wrappers. We have a plastic bag recycling program here where the bags are melted down and used to make straps and ropes.
Russian Otaku 6 years ago
Really stupid AF title. Wow people are using a container to hold stuff! Amazing! Like wtf were you expecting? Anyhow the backdrop was more interesting
Concerned 6 years ago
Pain and Suffering for the Thais for no good reason. Most people reuse plastic bags which is better than recycling. Single use plastic is one of the greatest innovations to reduce disease through hygiene, requires 1/5 the energy to produce that paper does, strong, lightweight, and overall the best solution available.
Asia 6 years ago
Bored panda you do realise that the Thais are doing this ott to express their dismay with plastic ban? They are pissed that it is causing them inconvenience. Like, who cares about environment or pollution right? Give me my plastic cup with a plastic lid and plastic straw in a plastic bag and give it to me snappy because don't appreciate the inconvenience of carrying any reusable stuff :/
lailyfnoor 6 years ago
Why don't use shopping bag? Reusable and can be carried everywhere, even sometimes fashionable
Dippin Dot 6 years ago
I think this post was meant to highlight the more unique solutions to the ban... not just a bunch of people with normal cloth bags that are commonly used everywhere.
Load More Replies... Sterrinatu 6 years ago (edited)
I'll never understand the negativity that comes from articles like this. While I agree this won't change the world but it's a step in the right direction. It surprises me how many people think they can't survive with out a plastic bag for their groceries. This pretty much proves if you take them away entirely people are capable of being creative and finding a way to make it work. I guess you just have to force them to learn to live without.
Helen Haley 6 years ago
Because most of us buy more than a suitcase of food at a time. Stocking up so you don't have to go to the grocery store constantly. Been that way since the advent of the refrigerator. We just can't conceive of a practical way to continue grocery shopping that doesn't make it so odious that we all DREAD grocery shopping. It wasn't a fun chore to begin with.
Load More Replies... Florencia Renedo 6 years ago
I am wondering how the street food vendors are handling this, since all carry-out food in Thailand is placed in little plastic bags...
Helen Haley 6 years ago
How do you conveniently carry around that many cloth bags? How big is your purse?
Load More Replies... Steve Cruz 6 years ago
When I walk to the store, I take a 3-wheel stroller I bought at a garage sale for $5. Pulled out all the pads and threw them away, I get smiles and waves from drivers who think I'm a good daddy (or granddaddy). When I'm at a crosswalk, cars frequently stop to let me cross.
Leo H 6 years ago
Funny ban plastic bags but plastic disposible diapers now loaded w human waste are okay for our landfills. Why not include plastic diapers
Whatshername 6 years ago
In our country these get recycled too. Even small villages have a diaper dumpster.
Load More Replies... Patti Renwick Parrish 6 years ago
I wish the US would ban plastic bags. I see them blowing everywhere, littering our landscape. BRING BACK PAPER BAGS!
Glynis Lailann 6 years ago
Bravo! Local industry should step up and get the basket weavers to make shopping baskets. After all, their baskets, in all shapes and sizes, get exported the world over.
bill marsano 6 years ago
These are the "top 30" images? Re-edit, please. Most of these solutions are clumsy and unimaginative as well as likely to inconvenience everyone else in the store. The smart people used their roller suitcases or (plastic) shopping bags. Problem is that majority of people see plastic bags as single-use items and toss rather than re-use them. This wasteful shortsightedness has sparked the plastic-straw boycott, as well-intentioned movement that has, however, achieved terminal stupidity: people ADDING to waste by buying glass or stainless-steel straws, as if: (a) production of glass and steel had no eco downside; (b) it is possible to consume many drinks without straws; and (c) the original plastic straws they heedlessly threw into the trash couldn't have been re-used countless times after a simple rinse at the sink. The gag is that the glass and steel straws sell for up to $10 and have to be cleaned after use anyway.
Whatshername 6 years ago
My thoughts exactly. Until I read Dippin Dot's comment: "I think this post was meant to highlight the more unique solutions to the ban... not just a bunch of people with normal cloth bags that are commonly used everywhere."
Load More Replies... furrybumkins 6 years ago
I would use a fishing net if I didn't have to consider how I'd get a full net of groceries on the bus.
Charlese Bonca 6 years ago
Oops not meant to post on here, meant to post on that disgusting girl who posted "wAnT mE tO bE yOuR mIsTrEsS!?"
Load More Replies... Bill 6 years ago
I'm stockpiling plastic shopping bags now so when the ban kicks in I will still have plastic bags for my groceries. (and bagging up the litterbox)
(づ´• ͜ʖ •)づ Ta Da 6 years ago
Plastic bags have been banned in the outer banks for a while. Since it is a beach town. You can buy a whole box of them cheap from Costco in other states or even off of the internet. I suggest buying the cheap compostable ones for cat litter off of Amazon. Doesn’t hurt the environment and easily disposes if animal biohazards. They are also seriously cheap you can even get them at dollar stores.
Load More Replies... Zelda Blue 6 years ago
They are all very creative and found a way to work through the issue of no plastic bags. Kudos to them.
Lenka Smetanová 6 years ago
The Good thing is I have enough of that single use plastic bag at home to REUSED it for really long time
Everleigh 6 years ago
Here in California, they banned plastic bags awhile ago and they won't let you bring these things inside I don't believe. I would be shocked if they do! Lol! Maybe if you live like in the ghetto or somewhere like that! Lmao!
Laurel Crooks 6 years ago
California did not ban plastic bags. They just started charging for them. As for the rest of your comment, stop being racist.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 6 years ago
So people are using whatever they can to stop using plastic shopping bags..Great. Now they need to get on companies to stop using plastic packaging, bottles and wrappers. We have a plastic bag recycling program here where the bags are melted down and used to make straps and ropes.
Russian Otaku 6 years ago
Really stupid AF title. Wow people are using a container to hold stuff! Amazing! Like wtf were you expecting? Anyhow the backdrop was more interesting
Concerned 6 years ago
Pain and Suffering for the Thais for no good reason. Most people reuse plastic bags which is better than recycling. Single use plastic is one of the greatest innovations to reduce disease through hygiene, requires 1/5 the energy to produce that paper does, strong, lightweight, and overall the best solution available.
Asia 6 years ago
Bored panda you do realise that the Thais are doing this ott to express their dismay with plastic ban? They are pissed that it is causing them inconvenience. Like, who cares about environment or pollution right? Give me my plastic cup with a plastic lid and plastic straw in a plastic bag and give it to me snappy because don't appreciate the inconvenience of carrying any reusable stuff :/
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