The Mall Group claims lead in bid to cut use of plastic bags
The Mall Group is pushing its green credentials as the first department store and supermarket operator in Thailand to stop providing plastic bags for free.
The initiative coincided with International Plastic Bag Free Day, held on Wednesday. The retailer is promoting the move under the concept of “Go Green Every Day”.
The Mall Group is encouraging customers to bring their own shopping bags. If needed, customers can donate Bt1 for each plastic shopping bag they request; the money goes towards WWF Thailand’s efforts to curb the use of disposable plastic. The initiative has been rolled out at every branch of The Mall, The Emporium, The EmQuartier, Paragon Department Store, BluPort Hua Hin, Gourmet Market and Home Fresh Mart.
Voralak Tulaphorn, chief marketing officer of The Mall Group Co., Ltd. said: “Due to the plastic waste crisis in Thailand, which sees over 2 million tons of plastic waste and half of that in the ocean, Thailand is ranked sixth in the world for releasing the most trash into the ocean. This impacts the marine ecosystem and humans directly and indirectly. As reported by the journal of Environmental Science and Technology, there are plastic particles in food, water and air, so over 102,000 pieces of 250 grams of micro plastic enter the human body - an average of 5 grams per week or the size of a credit card.”
The Mall Group is the first retailer in Thailand to join the UNEP’s Climate Neutral Network.
“The Green Every Day project is a measure to reduce plastic bag usage in Thailand and within the retail industry in Thailand. The campaign started on July 3 to coincide with International Plastic Bag Free Day,” Voralak said.
“Customers who do not require plastic bags will receive extra loyalty scheme points, with up to 100 points at Gourmet Market, Home Fresh Mart and department stores.”
