by Swing Swing, 20 November 2007

Every Tuesday is “No Plastic Bag Day” in Hong Kong.

More than 1,400 retails outlets including supermarkets, shops, garments retailers, pet stores have joined an environment protection campaign know as “No Plastic Bag Day”.

People ‘must’ bring their own shopping bags every Tuesday. If they want a plastic bag on Tuesday, they need to donate $0.5 to a charity (OXFAM).

Some people criticize NO PLASTIC TUESDAYS because only one day a week cannot help the environment too much. But I think it is a good start to remind people the importance of environment protection.

In past years, plastic bags are promoted as convenient products. It needs time to change people’ habit, not to depend on plastic bags but instead to bring along their own bags.

People should know that most plastic bags are non-biodegradable. They split into harmful toxic substances that leech into the ground, and infiltrate into the food chain.

I carry a large bag when I go out. My bag is large enough to put newspaper, books and snacks, that I might buy during the day. When we were young, we used to bring a container when we go to buy congee or noodles for the corner shops. And we bring our own lunchboxes that keep our meals hot – even soups and rice. It’s healthier AND good for the environment.

My mother had a large bamboo basket for carrying the groceries such as vegetables, meat and fish, whenever she went shopping in the market.

We didn’t have plastic bags back when I was young, but we still had a very happy time. They used straw, like string, to tie the foods together for easy carrying.

So, I say, let’s all try to do a little bit to protect our planet earth, our home:

1. Say “NO!” to the plastic bags. Bring along your own bags shopping.

2. Keep some bags scrunched up small in your bag preparing for extra shopping.

3. IF you drive to buy groceries, keep a large carton box in your trunk for carrying the groceries, so that groceries can be loaded from the trolley of supermarket cart directly to the carton box inside your car.

4. If necessary, bring along your own containers when you buy fast food, or take away left overs: e.g. a reusable container for coffee or hot dishes.

Can we live without plastic bag?
YES! Why not?

Links:
Can we live without plastic bag?
http://ecostudio.com.au/green-eco-news-/can-we-live-without-plastic-bags...

Say no to plastic bag
http://www.noplasticbags.org.au/home/default.aspx

CLICK HERE: Do your part, contact this Hong Kong based Plastic Recycler to pick up collected plastic waste in bulk [recommend the "Plastic Process" and "Education" pages] ...