7-Eleven stores to reduce the use of plastic bags

If you ever want to see Thailand’s one-use plastic problem in stark view, head on down to any convenience store and see how much plastic marches out the door with each customer. But that might be about to change…

Thai PBS reports that CP All Public Company, the sole operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand has announced its declaration of intention to reduce and, eventually, to end the use of single-use plastic bags at all the stores throughout the country.

“We chose the date – 7th day of the 11^th month – to announce our determination to reduce and end the use of plastic bags at 7-Eleven stores and invite all Thais to join our effort by reducing at least one plastic bag each which can help ease the global warming problem,” said Mr Thanin Buranamanit, managing director and chief executive officer of CP All.

He said that CP All had launched the “7 Go Green” project since 2010 with an intention to promote sustainable environment for communities, the society and the country through various projects under the concept of “joint creativity and sharing opportunities”.

He said, from now on, every customer who declines to accept plastic bags would be given a 10 point score if he/she made payment through 7 Value Card.

Thanin disclosed that the company had expanded its campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags to universities, hospitals and several tourist destination in cooperation with Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, national parks and environment organizations among others.

All 7-Eleven stores on islands popular for tourists such as Samui, Lanta, Phi-Phi, Yao Yai, Tao and Samet have stopped using small plastic bags except for hot food, plastic cap seals and plastic wrappings of plastic straws.

Check The Thaiger report on the plastic bag problem HERE.

SOURCE: Thai PBS