Giant retailers, plastic manufacturing firms and supermarkets in Thailand have reached an agreement to stop supplying single-use plastic bags to customers from early 2010.

Giant retailers, plastic manufacturing titans, and department stores in Thailand have reached an agreement to stop handing out single-use plastic bags to customers starting early next year. (Source: bangkokpost.com)

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said this cooperation will help Thailand leave the list of major generators of waste and sea garbage.

The ministry invited a dozen of partners to join its campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.

The partners that represent giant retailers, major super markets, plastic manufacturers and trade associations pledged to stop giving out disposable plastic bags to customers from January, 2020.

It is estimated that Thais use 45 billion single-use plastic bags per year, of which 13.5 billion (about 30 percent) is generated from supermarkets and convenient stores.

Warawut said the environment minister said this cooperation can help to reduce single-use plastic usage by 30%. 

The ministry said it is drafting a law on reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic materials and waste. If it is adopted, this legislation will become the first law on waste reuse and recycling in Thailand.

(Source: VNA)