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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.

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."

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TheCakeIsAPie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly the best part of this picture is the cashier like dude you gonna check out or...

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TheCakeIsAPie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Bored Fox
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Finland we stopped using glass bottles over a decade ago because washing and transporting glass bottles was not envinronmentally friendly and also the broken glass bottles were a huge problem especially to the children and animals. It was much better idea to recycle plastic bottles. Over 90 % of the plastic bottles here in Finland are recycled because if you return the plastic bottles to a shop you will get some money back from them. Also the modern plastic bottles here are very thin plastic compared to the many imported plastic bottles. Nowadays only some alcohol bottles are glass here.

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Suzanne Haigh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh gosh, a brilliant invention, just like a basket my Grandma had, where di they all go?

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okpkpkp
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought a six-pack of beer years ago and they looked like those Coke bottles with about 20% of the liquid missing. Later I told the clerk and he didn't believe it until I went to the cooler and grabbed a bottle of the same beer and it was "light" as well. THEN he believed me.

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ilikeplants
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to use a handled basket like this to do all my produce shopping. I still have it. I should start using it again!!

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Francis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is not that strange. i live close to the border between switzerland and germany and a lot swiss are shopping that way in germany

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M O'Connell
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@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.

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TheCakeIsAPie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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)

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Canada crazy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

boiled pepsi foe dinner! (plastic is included for added flavour)

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Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.