Green Energy

6. Anti-plastic bag drive gains momentum
May 24, 2010 Bangkok Post
Pitsinee Jitpleecheep
May 24, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Retailers of all sizes are being asked to co-operate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on its new environmental programme to reduce the usage of plastic bags in Bangkok.
Porntep Techapaibul, a BMA deputy governor, said the capital generated about 10,000 tonnes of garbage per day. Of the total, up to 1,800 tonnes are plastic bags, the use of which rises by about 20% a year. The BMA has to allocate about 600 million baht to get rid of such garbage each year.
Given high concern about global warming, the BMA will encourage residents to take part in the 'Krungthep Yim Sod Sai Rai Tung Plastic' campaign, under the slogan under 'No Bag No Baht'. A pilot project started at the Chatuchak weekend market last week.
The campaign will expand to another eight markets owned by the BMA including Sanam Luang II, Prachachuen and Min Buri to test consumer response.
Under the campaign, customers who buy goods at shops at nine BMA markets will receive a one-baht discount for every 100 baht they pay if they bring fabric bags. At the same time, shoppers have to pay one baht per plastic bag. The measure will be enforced officially from Environment Day on June 5.
Proceeds from the "bag tax" will be used to help solve global warming problems or produce recycled bags.
Apart from the markets, the BMA also negotiated with leading retailers such as The Mall Group, Central Department Store, Tesco Lotus and Home Pro to join the campaign. Tesco Lotus and Home Pro are already taking part and more retailers are expected to join over the next two to three months.
"We hope the campaign will help gradually change the behaviour of Bangkokians and cap usage of plastic bags in Bangkok at 1,800 tonnes per day. However, if anything changes and the usage of plastic bags is more than 1,800 tonnes per day, we will consider some tax measures or increase household garbage collection fees to 360 baht per year from 240 baht currently," Mr Porntep said.
Newstex ID: KRTB-0199-45332329