Buying a packet of gum and having it bagged could soon be a thing of the past, as 22 stores in Phuket have joined Phuket Provincial Office’s ‘No plastic bag’ campaign to commemorate the King’s birthday on 5 December.

Phuket provincial is also planning to organise a ‘big cleaning day’ event on 04 December which will include different cleaning type activities depending on the different venues.
According to Mr Kirasak Thammavej, an officer from Phuket Provincial Energy Office, plastic waste makes up more than 20% of the total amount of waste. He believes that if people were to use cloth bags instead of plastic bags, waste could be reduced by at least 5,000 tonnes per year.

“The ‘reduce plastic bags’ project will not be a success if we do not have the cooperation from each superstore, minimart, and all related organisations,” he said. “All stores that participate will then be able to use the trademark that identifies them as an energy saving superstore.”

One such store that will be participating in the campaign is Central Festival; Wilaiporn Pitmanaree, marketing and leasing consultant, said, “I think this policy will help people to save their environment and resources. The government should have good public relations to promote this policy to the people.”

However it remains to be seen how receptive the people of Phuket will be to this initiative, especially while a small charge may be applied if customers wish to use a cloth bag.

The cloth bags come in many different styles and colours and customers are even urged to bring their own.

Fashion conscious 24-year-old, Apichaya Kongthap is a fan of the cloth bags and said, “I usually go shopping in superstores and I like the cloth bag. The plastic bag is nice but if I have my own style it is better; I really like it. It is also easy to take it anywhere I want.