Let's Free Bali from Plastic Bag! NGOs in Bali and Hypermart invite public to reduce plastic bags
[Denpasar,
July 3, 2010] - In commemoration of International Plastic-Bag Free Day
(IPBFD) on July 3, 2010, four environmentally concerned organizations
are joining forces for a public campaign event in Bali on July 4, 2010.
Indonesia’s second largest retailer Hypermart is hosting the event,
which encourages the public to reduce single-use plastic bags by
bringing their own bags for shopping.
The groups involved included BALIFOKUS, Say No to Plastic, GUS
Foundation, and EcoBali, organisations with a focus on
environment-related issues, particularly plastic waste, recycling and
zero waste. The event will host an array of activities including slide
shows on the dangers of plastic bags, quizzes, a petition, letter
writing for the public to express their concerns which will later be
delivered to the Governor, and also a photo booth which captures
‘campaign ambassadors’ who refuse plastic bags.
"Distribution and use of single-use plastic bags reflects a throwaway
lifestyle and a lack of care for the environment. Plastic bags are made
from petroleum derivatives, therefore wasting plastic bags means wasting
natural resources. In addition to the aesthetic and health problems,
the waste from plastic bags harms the environment," said Yuyun Ismawati
from BALIFOKUS. "The use and distribution of plastic bags should be
banned."
Via the campaign the four groups reaffirmed their commitment to raise
public awareness about the dangers and disadvantages of plastic, to
invite the public to adopt wise shopping practices, to support
widespread behavior changes in the community and to encourage government
policy on the reduction and elimination of plastic bags.
The day of action, globally organized by the Catalan Foundation for
Waste Prevention and Responsible Consumption, Amigos de la Tierra,
Ecologistas de Catalunya and GAIA, is being carried out simultaneously
throughout the world in countries like Spain, Dubai, India, the
Philippines, Tanzania, and South Africa. Activities are planned
according to local needs and interests. In Kerala, India, for instance, a
formal coalition is being formed to push for a plastic-free zone.
Approximately 5000 tons of waste is generated in Bali each day. Fifteen
percent of this is plastic waste, ranging between 600 to 750 tons per
day (11-12% of the total volume of waste), or approximately the same
weight as 167 trucks.
"Each day supermarkets hand over thousands
of plastic bags to customers. These plastic bags are free, however the
cost of handling the waste generated and the subsequent impact on the
environment becomes the collective burden of the public. From the
thousands of tons of plastic bags that are distributed each year in
Bali, most ends up polluting our environment," said Alex Ryan from the
group Say No To Plastic.
Plastic bags are only used for 5-15 minutes, but take around 500-1000
years to break down. Plastic pollutes Bali’s beaches, damages coral
reefs and marine life, and negatively affects tourism in Bali.
Incinerating or burning plastics, particularly those containing PVC,
produces dioxin, a toxic which accumulates in the human body and thus
increases the risk of cancer.
A daily practice to reduce plastic waste is to use re-usable bags made
from cloth or another environmentally friendly material when shopping.
This concept has been applied by Hypermart Bali Galleria store
throughout the "Hypergreen" campaign since the end of 2009.
"Since November 2010, Hypermart has succeeded in reducing the quantity
and volume of plastic bags distributed by providing cardboard boxes and
reusable cloth bags to customers," said Ni Nyoman Erawati, Hypermart
Galleria Mall Store General Manager. "Response from customers thus far
has been positive as we have tried to get across that our effort is in
support conserving our shared environment."
The groups would like to see other retailers following the postive steps
that Hypermart has taken to increase awareness of consumers and
businesses so that plastic waste is significantly reduced. "Last week
the Governor of Bali announced plans to require supermarkets in Bali to
provide cloth bags and stop providing plastic bags. We strongly feel the
time has come to implement this progressive policy," added Alex Ryan.
"Why wait any longer?" The event represents a commitment from all
parties involved to work together to reduce the impact of plastic on the
environment and human health. Yuyun Ismawati added, "We want to make
this island free from plastic bags!"
For further information please contact:
Alex Ryan (Say No to Plastic), 081 353 011 989
Ririen (BALIFOKUS), 081 236 837 804
