Encouraging reports from the front line of the war on plastic

I was delighted to read that locals of the Klong Pak Pra wetland and the Thale Noi waterfowl sanctuary in Phatthalung have joined with Thaksin University researchers to create a unique tour package aimed at turning the area into a tourism hotspot.
The two nature reserves are located close to Talad Pa Pai Sang Sook (Bamboo Market of Happiness), a “green” market that’s sprouted from cooperation between Phatthalung’s eco-aware community and the Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade.
In the shade of the bamboo forest, visitors can buy delicious desserts and other specialities made from fresh local ingredients untainted by synthetic chemicals. Importantly, the food is packaged with locally available and biodegradable natural materials, meaning the environment is not burdened by polluting foam and plastic containers.
Dishes and desserts are wrapped in banana, lotus or pandanus leaf. Plastic cups and straws are replaced by two sizes of bamboo cylinder.
More great news: a network of 30 universities across the country has succeeded in reducing the number of single-use plastic bags, utensils and cups by 41 million pieces this year, with the cooperation of convenience stores, canteens and shops on university compounds.
Successes like these underscore that reducing the daily mountain of plastic waste is possible if consumers, producers, and private and state sectors join together for creative solutions anywhere and everywhere – tourist destinations, educational institutions, markets and so on. 
Sutipunt Bongsununt