Page 47 - Plastics News February 2020

internAtionAL news

Buddhist monks are recycling South Australia set to ban single-

plastic bottles into robes use plastics statewide

he recycling temple of Wat Chak Daeng is one outh Australia is set to become the first state in
Tbright example of recycling for Thailand, one of five SAustralia to ban single-use plastics entirely after
countries that account for more than half of plastic in a trial provided positive results. It follows a six-week
the world’s oceans. The monks have crushed 40 tonnes consultation period earlier this year which garnered
(88,185 lb) of plastic over two years since starting the more than 3,500 responses, with an overwhelming
programme, aiming to curb plastic waste entering the majority in favour of "government intervention",
Environment Minister David Speirs said.The state
government confirmed it would introduce legislation
to ban such goods in coming months .Adelaide Lord
Mayor Sandy Verschoor said the trial had been a great
success, including in the city's Central Market. "There
are over nine million people a year coming through, if
we can reduce the plastics it will have huge impacts
for our waste management for the city," she said.
Minister for Environment David Speirs announced today
plastics could be banned as early as February next
year. "We will be preventing the ban of straws, plastic
Chao Phraya River, which flows south to the Gulf of
Thailand in the western Pacific Ocean. At this Buddhist cutlery at retail level but also restricting their use
temple south of Bangkok, a monk watches as a machine at community events," Mr Speirs said. Market traders
presses down on thousands of water bottles, before a who have already made the transition say it does
giant bale of crushed plastic rolls out with a thud. The come with a cost."There is initial outlay, something
plastic is destined to be recycled into polyester fibres, like a compostable bag, it does cost about four times
which will be made into fabric for saffron-coloured robes a normal one," one health food store owner said. But
for monks. Unlike most temples where people give monks overall, it has boosted business. "Customers are crying
alms like food and clothes, devotees ride bicycles here to out for it, it's not only a decision for the environment,
offer plastic bags and bottles in exchange for Phra Maha
Pranom’s blessings. “Donating one kilogram (2.2 lb) of
plastic bottles can help make a full set of monk robes,
which has a high return value, both in terms of money
and merits,” the monk says. The temple has produced at
least 800 sets of robes, with more in production stages.
Each set sells for between 2,000 baht ($65.79) and
5,000 baht ($164.47), to keep funding the project and
pay waste-sorting volunteers, many of whom are local
housewives, retirees and disabled persons. “Not only are
the monks making a concrete contribution to recycling, it's obviously a business decision as well. Shoppers were
but they are raising awareness in their communities,” said divided over plans for a statewide ban, with concerns it
Chever Voltmer, Director for Plastics Initiatives at Ocean could hit their pocket. But environment minister David
Conservancy. Thailand is the fifth highest contributor of Speirs said there were incentives such as grants to
plastic to the world’s oceans, according to a report by the lessen the blow to consumers. "The results are now in
U.S.-based group Ocean Conservancy. The list includes people want South Australia to push the boundaries and
three other Southeast Asian countries and China, the top
plastics polluter. play a leadership role in phasing out single use plastics."

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47 Februar y 2020 Plastics News