Early this the morning I went out to get our weekly groceries. Too late I realized that I had
forgotten my small backpack. It is not too big but it is perfect to carry the
heavier stuff. Equally important is the fact that I get fewer plastic bags. No
matter what you buy, it all goes in tiny, flimsy plastic bags. It is pretty ‘normal’
to come home with 10 to 15 of them. We try to re-use them for trash but still
it is just way too much. A few years ago I was visiting a friend South-East of
Manila and I was happily surprised to see that the municipality had banned the
plastic bags. How nice would it be if all cities followed this example? How
nice would it be if there are fewer plastic bags wandering through the streets?
It is not only a Philippine issue of course. It is a worldwide problem. In
San Fernando, I saw this poster last year:
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| attitude... and education.. |
That is
right. It is a matter of attitude. However, not only for civilians. Communities
and companies should come up with good examples. Several years ago I did a
training in (honey) beekeeping. In the end there was a celebration with
speeches and of course we all got a certificate. In one of the speeches, we were
told that taking care of the environment was very important. Then we got our
afternoon drinks and snacks. Served on…Styrofoam plates! My friend who attended
this ceremony said in a loud voice that he did not understand how people can
talk about the importance of a healthy environment and then uses food that is
served on one of the biggest enemies for the environment. Yes, he was very right.
No one can argue with that. Our planet looks so beautiful and what do we do? Pollute
it with our trash! Can you imagine all the plastic bags and wrappers that are
here in Chocolate hills? Tons of tourists go there to see the beauty of it and
many of them just throw their trash. I really don’t get it.
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| Chocolate hills in Bohol |
Now, this the morning after shopping I got home with -of course- many plastics. We put all
the stuff where it belongs and I felt like making iced-tea with the new taste I
purchased. While the water came to a boil I opened the box and could not
believe what I saw. Every teabag was wrapped in plastic. I can’t help but wonder
why? It is such a waste of material and the world can do without it. The same
goes of course for the vegetables we can buy in supermarkets. Why do they all
have to be packed in plastic? First of all, leaves can’t ‘breathe’ anymore and
will start rotting faster. Second, we come home and just throw the plastic. I
really can’t see what good it does.
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| Each tea bag in it's own wrapper. |
Later today
I will look for the company that wrapped my tea bags and I will send an email.
But if it will help?
Love the ones you’re with and be
loved in return.
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