BEATING PLASTIC POLLUTION

Central Group has a feast of activities lined up for the public to commemorate World Environment Day 2018 on Tuesday with events through June 7. This year the theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution — If You Can’t Reuse, Refuse It”, with activities from 10am-8pm, at EDEN Zone, 1st floor, CentralWorld. Under the theme “CHANGE!: Change Your Behaviour, Change Your Mind”, participants will be encouraged to refuse plastic bags under the No Bag Day campaign, and instead use environment friendly material shopping bags. Objectives for this event is to focus on creating consciousness, changing behaviour and improving the public’s concern on the impact made from single-use plastic products. Central Group, which hopes to emphasise its commitment on sustainable conservation of environmental resources, has collaborated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), to bring this weeklong event with various knowledge-integrated exhibitions and activities for public participation. During the three-day event, activities available include informative exhibition booths from government and private organisations on how to better safeguard depleting environmental resources. There will also be an exhibition by Thai artist and environmentalist, Alex Rendell. Also on offer will be a thrilling interactive virtual reality tunnel of a submarine where you get to explore the deep ocean, art installation of used plastic bags by Chulalongkorn University students and a workshop run by The Cave to create handicrafts, such as handbags and scarves from fishery trawls to reduce the impact of coastal waste. To top it off, test your knowledge at the quiz and games booth for a chance to win rewards and souvenirs. Exhibition booths operated by the BMA highlight issues such as solid waste, plastic waste, think before disposing, where does waste go, save the Earth, stop using plastic, what to use instead of plastic, and the BMA’s waste disposal management process. Exhibition booths operated by partners will cover diverse subjects, some of which include the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, which supports the use of tap water over plastic bottled water; Ampolfood, products from UHT milk box; institute of packaging, plastic packaging is raw material for other products and the Thailand Environmental Institute, whose collaborative project between the government, business sector and public showcases sustainable management of waste and plastic. In attendance during the week will be the likes of Dr Thorn Thamrongnawasawat, an expert in marine environment, Dr Kwanruedee Chotichanataweewong, director of the Environmental Strategy Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand and others.