Plans afoot to curb plastic bag waste

The government, private sector and NGOs are discussing plans to levy a charge on the use of plastic carrier bags because of concerns about their negative environmental impact.

Research by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) showed that around 50% of Thais surveyed were willing to pay a fee for using plastic bags in department and convenience stores.

In their survey of 2,000 people nationwide, 88% of people said they were aware that plastic consumption affects global warming and 78% backed a complete ban on plastic bags.

Thailand’s industrial plastic industry is one of the only industries in which the country is a leading player in the global market, according to Vice Chairman of Thai Plastic Industries Association Surasak Luangaramsri.

“I believe if we get rid of small plastic bags and implement the use of larger bags with an excise tax, we would see at least a 30% reduction in overall use,” he added.

Representatives from various institutions and NGOs who were present at the seminar at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre urged the government to start drafting laws which will enforce an environmental tax on all sectors using plastic bags.

The current proposal plans to charge a fee of 1-2 baht, but it is still being researched and considered.

The research also showed that Thais aged between 15-65 years old who comprise around 47 million people of the total population use approximately three plastic bags a week. Therefore, plastic bag waste amounts to 7.3 billion bags per year.

“Because the problem is now regarded as a national and institutional flaw in our country, I believe a healthy start to reducing plastic bag use must come from the government sector. They can begin a culture of a plastic-free environment in its offices and schools,” said Pawin Talerngsri, a member of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

“During my lifetime, I saw the reaction when people were told they could not smoke indoors. A lot of smokers were agitated, but over time they conformed to this new way of life. We should expect the same with plastic bags,” he added.