Phuket retailers to charge for plastic bags from February

Phuket Energy Office chief Jirasuk Tummawetch said the slated December 5 launch date did not leave enough time to promote the project properly.

The scheme will see major retailers such as Central, Big C, TescoLotus, Makro, Supercheap and Jungceylon charge shoppers one baht for a plastic bag with a fivelitre capacity or less and two baht for larger bags.

Jirasuk spoke following a meeting to discuss the scheme at Provincial Hall yesterday. It was attended by new Phuket Vice Governor Teerayut Eimtrakul, Phuket Public Health Office deputy director Wiwat Seetamanotch and Nick Anthony, managing director of Indigo Real Estate, who came up with the idea.

"Vice Governor Teerayut commented that to launch the project on December 5 wouldn't leave enough time to promote the scheme to the island's residents," Mr Jirasuk said. "We agreed to postpone until February 14 to give us more time."

Jirasuk said one idea agreed on was to record Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisangop speaking in support of the scheme. The recording would be played on radio stations and on the shop floor of participating retailers.

Local organisations have also been asked to supply cloth bags to substitute for those made of plastic, he said.

Jirasak said Phuket Energy Office welcomed any comments regarding the project and invited anyone with suggestions to call the office on 076210178/9.

Nick Anthony described government support at local and national level as excellent.

Central Festival Phuket will host a public awareness campaign next Monday with 40 retailers setting up displays to promote the campaign and bring everybody on board, he said.

Central had also agreed to donate all proceeds from the sale of plastic bags to charity.

Anthony said he hoped a successful launch would be the first step in a reduction strategy that would eventually see retailers cut down on or eliminate the distribution of advertising circulars that also create substantial waste.

He is also working with environmental activist and sea kayak tourism pioneer John Gray to extend the plastic bag strategy to cover Phang Nga Bay as soon as possible.

Asked if major convenience store chains like 7Eleven were signed up for the initiative, he said the management of CP Group, which operates the chain on a franchise basis, were seriously considering the proposal.

7Eleven stores in China and other countries already charge for plastic bags, he said.

Anthony hoped support among retailers at all levels would be strong enough so that those not in the scheme would be boycotted by shoppers.

The delay in the launch was to allow stores time to prepare alternatives to plastic and educate the public, he said.

Anthony said one of the keys to success would be support from local administrative bodies to ensure all retailers in their areas, including small 'momandpop' shops, are aware of the campaign and take part in it.