Tips for recycling and reducing plastic use in Thailand

[handdrummer]

FFS, just ban them across the board, worldwide - people will soon find alternatives.

You would have to ban all manufacturing of non-disposable plastic. Without an alternative that's not a realistic goal. I still want to know how to dispose of wet garbage if one doesn't have a garden for composting? I've asked this question several times and never get an answer and until I do, I'll continue to use plastic bags.

I'm not going to do it for you. Google your question. There's an abundance of answers out there. Plastic was invented in around 1950 and didn't come into it's own until well into the 60's. I grew up without plastic as I'm sure many forum members did.
Excuses are easy. Try a positive approach!


Thanks, i hadn't thought of asking Google.

[STEVE G]

FFS, just ban them across the board, worldwide - people will soon find alternatives.

The reason that doesn't happen is because plastic comes from oil and the oil industry has more political money than the people trying to get rid of it.

[HHTel]

With more plastics piling into rivers and oceans, several of the world's biggest plastic chemical manufacturers are joining together in an industry-led effort to curb plastic waste. A group of nearly 30 global companies have committed more than $1 billion into developing programs and technologies to better minimize, manage and prevent plastic waste.

LyondellBasell of Houston, Chevron Phillips Chemical of The Woodlands, ExxonMobil of Irving as well as BASF, Shell Chemical, Dow and Procter and Gamble are among the two dozen companies forming a nonprofit called Alliance to End Plastic Waste, according to a joint announcement from the companies.

The goal is commit $1.5 billion over the next five years to fighting plastic waste; so far over $1 billion has been pledged with new members being added, an Alliance spokesperson said.

The alliance is unique in that it includes companies across the plastic value chain – from oil majors with hands in the petrochemical industry such as Total, Exxon, Shell and Chevron to consumer good household brands like Procter & Gamble to companies that collect and manage plastic waste.

However:

"This is a desperate attempt from corporate polluters to maintain the status quo on plastics. ... Make no mistake about it: plastics are a lifeline for the dying fossil fuel industry, and today's announcement goes to show how far companies will go to preserve it," said Graham Forbes, global plastics project leader for Greenpeace, a global environmental non-governmental organization.

Plastics producers are obviously nervous about the future!

https://www.chron.com/business/energy/a ... 532153.php

Here in Thailand, PTT are also putting in their 4 pennyworth:

PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC) recently featured an innovative exhibit of textiles made from plastic waste collected from the seas as part of the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” project at Bangkok Design Week 2018, in conjunction with the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (Public Organization) (OKMD) and the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC).

The “Waste Side Story by PTTGC” pavilion was an outstanding architectural showcase

[buksida]

TURN PLASTIC WASTE INTO ECO-BRICKS AT THE WORLD OCEANS DAY FAIR
Turn your plastic waste into something creative, rather than something environmentally destructive, this Saturday at the World Oceans Day Fair.

To celebrate World Oceans Day on June 6, Sang Foundation and partners have organised an environmentally friendly and family-friendly day of arts and crafts and educational workshops.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/even ... -day-fair/

I do this with all of our household plastic. There is a local school that uses the eco-bricks for projects. I'm sure something similar exists in Hua Hin, your local Trash Hero chapter will know.

[Dannie Boy]

Although not plastic, it’s very much about recycling an otherwise product that would take decades (or longer) to decompose - using old tyres in tarmac to resurface roads.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/indu ... ad-asphalt

[STEVE G]

Although not plastic, it’s very much about recycling an otherwise product that would take decades (or longer) to decompose - using old tyres in tarmac to resurface roads.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/indu ... ad-asphalt

There is a similar product that uses pellets made from old plastic as an additive to road surfaces.

[buksida]

For those that keep saying ... 'I cant live without it' ...

You Can Help Turn the Tide on Plastic. Here’s How.
Do these six pain-free things, and you’ll help reduce the impact plastic is having on oceans and other waterways around the world.

In a world that can seem overwhelmed by potentially eternal plastic waste, are biodegradables the ultimate solution? Probably not. But it’s complicated. The industry is still debating what “biodegradable” actually means. And some plastics made of fossil fuels will biodegrade, while some plant-based “bioplastics” won’t.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/maga ... pollution/

[HHTel]

It doesn't seem to matter how much info is available and published on almost every media, people here seem quite oblivious of it all. A little like Trump and his inauguration crowds and lately his 'No Protests' speech. Most large stores have signs. I don't believe anyone can say that they don't know anything of the consequences. Still it's ignored.

The authorities have stated that they are hoping to reduce single use plastic by 2022. No hurry there then.

I hope I can see some positive action in this country but I doubt I'll be alive to see it.

[handdrummer]

In the National Geographic article they deal mainly with industrial plastic production and when they talk a
bout individual solutions all they say is don't do it.

As per an op's suggestion to look up solutions on google, they talk about disposable plastic bags. Where can you buy those in Hua Hin. Mostly I read about the problem and not much about the solution on an individual level. So, I still want to know what replaces a plastic bag for wet garbage? I could wrap it in newspaper and carry it, dripping, 2 blocks to the overflowing trash container but that doesn't seem very practical. Maybe there isn't a solution, as yet, for this 3rd. world country. All, non-smarmy and non-vituperative, suggestions welcome.

[Big Boy]

I'll probably get shouted down for this, but we have biodegradable bags that we buy at Makro. We use them with the poop scooper when walking the dogs. They look and feel the same, so I've no idea if they're really biodegradable, but it gives me a clearer conscience.

[HHTel]

The truth is that there is no such thing as a truly biodegradable. If it goes into landfill or water then it doesn't biodegrade. To degrade it needs temperature, air and water. Leave it in the sun and it will eventually break up.

There are also compostable bags which are different again to 'biodegradable' bags and should be kept separate.

As has been said, the only real answer is to ban them. But alternatives have to be available. We managed before the 60's!

[Big Boy]

We managed before the 60's!

Dogs crapped anywhere back then, and we never had to worry about loading poop scoops.

[MDMK]

BBC1 is currently airing a series on reducing plastic waste. Last night's episode was about wet wipes. I had no idea these things are generally around 85% plastic/non-biodegradable. I knew not to flush them as they block drains and cause the "fat berg" thingies in the sewers, so all this time I have been putting them in the paper recycling box . I must get through in excess of a 2000 wet wipes in a year, if not more. And the really stupid thing is, an alternative to wet wipes is easy.... a facecloth and a bit of water! I just genuinely didn't know they were an environmental nightmare.

According to the Guardian: it's estimated the UK alone uses around 10 million of these things a day. The Marine Conservation Society said that during its annual beach clean last year, it found an average of 12 wet wipes per 100 metres of beach cleaned – a leap of more than 300% compared with 10 years previously.

I read somewhere else that parts of the River Thames has a new riverbed made of.... wet wipes. (not confined to the Thames or London, rivers all over Europe now have wet wipes layers on their riverbeds).

One more item removed from my shopping list.

[HHTel]

Yes, I've been following that documentary series. Last night was a real eye opener. I, and i guess most others, never realised that 'wet wipes' was mostly plastic.

Recommended viewing.

Incidentally, wet wipes when I was a kid was mother's spit on a handkerchief!

[MDMK]

Recommended viewing.

It definitely is. Aside from the wet wipes, the bit about the the plastic fibres shed by polyester/synthetic clothing??? It kind of irks me that here I am, happily thinking I am doing my bit for the environment, but could do soooo much better if only I was more aware. So I am very happy with programs like this.

Mods, Hope it's ok to share this tip on this thread?

They gave a tip on the last program, those spray bottles with kitchen & bathroom cleaners. Get an empty one, chuck some sliced lemon/lime or orange in it (I just grated the skin off 2 limes), fill it with 50/50 vinegar and water and add a fair pinch of baking soda. I added a few drops of citrus essential oil to cover the vinegar smell. Well I tried it out yesterday and it works a treat as an all purpose cleaner in the kitchen and bathroom. It even got the greasy/ burned on crap off my induction hob after cooking (and I am a messy cook, lol) and it leaves everything as it should with a nice streak-free gleam. I think if it cost 10p a bottle that would be on the high side. Compared to €3 (ish) for Ajax/Dettol/Vim/Flash spray cleaners. And no more plastic spray bottles.