CP All Plc. is collaborating with the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to pilot a program promoting reducing the use of plastic bags.
According to Sakol Tinagul, deputy director-general of the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, the use of plastic bags has a severe impact on the environment due to the bags being very difficult to degrade in nature. He said the problem with plastic bag stemmed from overuse and inappropriate disposal, and litter made up of plastic bags can now be seen everywhere. A sizable amount of trash can be avoided by reusing plastic bags, as well as reducing and refusing their use.
CP All and OBEC have shifted their focus onto the younger generation, instilling a new value on plastic bags and trash reduction.
Banyat Kamnoonwatana, an assistant vice president at CP All, indicated that the company has been cooperating with the DEQP to encourage people to use fewer plastic bags. The campaign was first attempted in its own convenience stores where customers were encouraged to turn down plastic bags for small items as well as cut back on the number of bags used to carry items from the store. The effort was then expanded in the form of a youth-centered project that promoted the reduction of plastic the use of bags at various schools. Most recently, the company has entered into collaboration with Yupparaj Wittayalai School in Chiang Mai. The company aims to forge more collaborations with schools nationwide in support of this worthy cause.
Voravat Tantranont, executive director of CHOICE Mini Store, said Chiang Mai is an important tourism destination and the province accommodates a large number of tourists. In order to keep the province clean and beautiful, he urges vendors, tourists and locals to refuse plastic bags if possible.
Meanwhile Phanida Wichaidit, director of the OBEC’s work group on special projects, explained that the OBEC has a policy to encourage Thai youths to reduce plastic bag usage. The agency has until today continued to support this endeavor amid efforts to reform education. Emphasis has been placed on the improvement of students’ quality of education and environment.
CP All’s volunteer club has also been collaborating with Chiang Mai City Hall to encourage merchants, locals and tourists in the vicinity of Warorot Market and elsewhere in the province to reduce the use of plastic bags.
