BackPack Bob 🌴
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
new posts
How to Get From Koh Lanta to Khao...
Krabi Bus Terminal: Timetables Schedules and all the...
What is an SHA Plus Hotel in Thailand:...
Complete Beginners Guide: How I Learned To Ride...
Koh Jum: A Full Guide to Thailand’s Forgotten...
Phi Phi National Park (Hat Noppharat Thara Mu...
Thailands National Parks – A Detailed Guide For...
Koh Jum Beach Villas: The Best Places to...
Nong Khai Border Crossing: Crossing The Friendship Bridge...
Climbing Koh Pu Mountain in Thailand
BackPack Bob 🌴
Banner
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
0
South-East AsiaThailandTravel Resources

Ecotourism In Thailand: Sustainable Tips To Reduce Plastic Waste

by BackPackBOB 3 June 2020
FacebookTweetPinPrint

I have spent a lot of time travelling around Thailand over the years and there is so much I love about the country. The tourism industry in Thailand is huge. Thailand is the most visited country in south-east Asia and international arrivals and tourist visa approvals are growing year on year.

While tourism has massive benefits in creating jobs for native people and contributing to the growth of the economy. There is a darker side to tourism which is not often spoken about.

Awareness has been growing over the years which is a great thing, but to put it bluntly, like it or not, if you’re a tourist in Thailand. You are contributing to the problems, and yes, that includes me.

But there are some steps that you can take to reduce your carbon footprint, protect the environment and lessen your impact.

Contents Hide
1. Reduce Plastic Waste (And Help Clean Up)
2. Say No To Plastic Bags
3. Say No Plastic Straws
4. Say No Styrofoam Food Boxes
5. Say No To Plastic Water Bottles

Reduce Plastic Waste (And Help Clean Up)

For years Thailand has had an issue with plastic waste and it is estimated that from Thailand’s 23 coastal provinces, over one million tons end up in the oceans each year, a statistic which is frankly sickening.

thailand ecotourist sustainible travel thailand ethical travel thailand
Photo: The Thaiger

I believe the root cause of the issue lies with the lack of education. Head into a 7-11 to buy a bottle of water and you’ll leave with a plastic bottle, lid, and security seal. It will be put into a plastic bag and you’ll get a plastic straw or two thrown in, wrapped in a plastic wrapper.

Something which is unavoidable for most of us.

At some point, we will have to buy a bottle of water from a 7-11. And it can be difficult to explain to the staff you don’t need a bag- often tourists who can’t speak the lingo find it easier to accept what they’re given and dump the plastic in the bins right outside.

In order to fix the issue it is not only tourists who should be educated, but also locals. Even if you don’t speak the language, and don’t know how to turn down the plastic bag and straws. An easy way to get the message across is to hand the bag and the straws back. If everyone was to do this the message would be passed across pretty quickly.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, things might not be perfect. But they are heading in the right direction. Over the years I have lived in Thailand I have seen first-hand education taking effect through the form of social media campaigns, billboards and in other forms of media.

And it is important to note that Thailand is taking bold steps in the right direction. A campaign in 2018 helped advocate against the use of Styrofoam food boxes and educate food vendors about alternatives. In 2019 all single-use plastic was banned from National Parks. And in 2020 plastic bags were banned altogether.

Now, this is Thailand, and the plastic bag ban lasted maybe a month before things began to slip back to ‘normal’. But the bold move trended online creating a new craze where Thai’s used everyday items including, wheelbarrows, fishing nets, and even a washing line to haul their groceries home in.

It didn’t solve the problem, but what it did was create awareness and educate the masses. Taking a vital step in the right direction.

Thailand started 2020 with a major plastic bag ban so now Thais have made it a trend to put their shoppings in random things & i’m living for it LMFAO pic.twitter.com/7QtkMD1oax

— siam (@sihamese) January 4, 2020

Here are some useful tips that you can follow to reduce the amount of plastic waste you create when travelling in Thailand.

Say No To Plastic Bags

Lets be honest, most of the time you don’t need a plastic bag. If you’re buying a few items from the 7-11 you’ll probably be fine without. Buying a take away meal, you probably don’t need a plastic bag.

  • If you’re a woman: “mai dorng sai tung ka” = No plastic bag, please.
  • If you’re a man: “mai dorng sai tung krap” = No plastic bag, please.

But in the few situations where you do need a bag, perhaps you’re stocking up on a few groceries or buying more beers than you can comfertably carry then bring your own reusable bag. Even if you don’t have a ‘dedicated’ reusable bag for shopping, most of us travel with some sort of day pack which can double up as a shopping bag.

And were not all perfect, there will be some situation where we need a bag and plastic is the only choice. So if you can, try to recycle. I’ll admit recycling isn’t always easy in Thailand, in some tourist destination you will find recycling bins.

But you can think outside the box if there aren’t any recycle bins around. Next time you drop off your laundry, use the plastic bag and get a second use out of it.

Say No Plastic Straws

I can’t stand reusable straws. They’re difficult to clean, unhygienic and unnecessary. It is much easier to go without using a straw at all. Most of the time you don’t need one. But in some cases (cold drinks, sensitive teeth) a straw can be nice.

And in Thailand there is a new option, you don’t have to use plastic and you don’t have to use reusable. More and more bars, even-more so in the southern regions are adapting and adopting the Bamboo Straw. Bamboo grows naturally all over the country and is an incredibly useful plant. The smaller cuts are hollow and mother natures straws.

The best part is when you’re done, they are bio-degradable. But a word of warning with the bamboo straws! They are grown, not manufactured. No straw is the exact same diameter. A thinner straw is what we are probably used to, but if you end up with a girthy bamboo straw, you might find your drinks going down quicker than you’d anticipated!

Say No Styrofoam Food Boxes

100 years, is how long it takes for a foam food container to degrade. Sixty-one million pieces of foam were used in 2018, EACH DAY. The good news is that figure is dropping. There was once a time where you’d have no choice. Any time you brought take out food in Thailand and that includes snacks you’d buy in the markets, yep, it would be served in a styrofoam box.

However, most food vendors are getting on board and switching to biodegradable food packaging and it’s bamboo to the rescue once again. A private founded biodegradable food packaging company has taken the nation by storm. In 2020 it is estimated that 78% of food vendors have made the switch to bamboo-based packaging.

The new take out containers are usually lined with a banana leaf. And in landfill can degrade within six weeks. Much better than 100 years.

Here’s how you can help the situation improve. Boycott any food vendors who are still using Styrofoam. In 2020 there is no excuse not to make the switch. Biodegradable food packaging has reached costs which are on-par with Styrofoam.

Enquire about the food packaging before you order, chances are once the remaining few vendors notice that there sales are taking a hit because of their Styrofoam food containers- that will be enough encouragement for them to also switch.

Say No To Plastic Water Bottles

It is easier said than done. Tap water is not safe to drink in Thailand and bottled water seems like the only the answer. Local people have drinking water delivered to them in reusable barrels. Once the barrel is empty it’s taken back to be refilled. But tourists don’t have this luxury. So how can you avoid using plastic water bottles in Thailand?

I’ll be honest it is a tough one to pull off in Thailand and there will be times where you don’t have a choice. But getting a reusable water bottle is a great start, and that’s the easy part. The difficult part is finding sources of safe drinking water to fill up. In cities stopping by tourist orientated business, bars, travel agents etc. The staff here will usually be happy to fill your bottle, and might charge 10 Baht or so.

But it is much easier in places like Phi Phi Island or Koh Lipe Island where designated bottle refill stations are scattered around the islands. The stations are paid for the charity Trash Hero, and local business support the charity by keeping a machine on their premises and providing free, clean drinking water.

Learn more about Trash Hero, and how you can help here.

FacebookTweetPinPrint
2
FacebookTwitterPinterestRedditWhatsappLINEEmail

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

BackPackBOB

Hi I’m Robb. But you can call me Backpack Bob. Welcome to my site. I started this travel blog in March 2020. Literally the worst time to be travelling. Haha. But the pandemic didn’t stop me. I managed to visit 5 countries during lockdowns, (sorry, not sorry), and I kept on writing. I’ve done a lot in my 27 years on this earth. My life has been a crazy ride. People often tell me I should write a book about it. I’m banned from two countries. I’ve worked in four continents. I started my own business in Thailand at 21. And I left on my first international solo adventure at 19, with less than $100. I’ll share the reality about travel and living overseas, without the drama. The highs, the lows and why and travel is so import, incredible and unique in a world after the coronavirus. I hope that I can inspire others to travel with an open mind and live your life to its full potential. Peace and Love. ✌️

previous post
Here’s How To Travel From Koh Yao To Phi Phi Island (And Vice-Versa)
next post
Ibiza House Phi Phi Island Review (Everything You Need To Know)

related posts

Krabi Night Market Guide: Mouth-Watering Weekend...

3 May 2020

Krabi Emerald Pool And Hot Springs...

27 May 2020

How to Get to Koh Jum...

16 January 2023

Top 15 Phi Phi Island Hotels:...

18 May 2020

Flights To Bali: 3 Top Tips...

3 November 2020

Maya Bay Phi Phi Island: All...

17 May 2020

Should You Travel To Thailand (Coronavirus)...

28 June 2020

What is an SHA Plus Hotel...

2 February 2023

Slow Boat To Laos: Chiang Mai...

26 May 2020

2023 Pileh Lagoon Review – Phi...

9 January 2023

About Me

About Me

Hi I’m Robb. But you can call me Backpack Bob. Welcome to my site. I started this travel blog in March 2020. Literally the worst time to be travelling. Haha. But the pandemic didn’t stop me. I managed to visit 5 countries during lockdowns, (sorry, not sorry), and I kept on writing.

I’ve done a lot in my 27 years on this earth. My life has been a crazy ride. People often tell me I should write a book about it. I've met some incredible people. I’m banned from two countries. I’ve worked in four continents. I started my own business in Thailand at 21. And I left on my first international solo adventure at 19, with less than $100.

I’ll share the reality about travel and living overseas, without the drama. The highs, the lows and why and travel is so import, incredible and unique in a world after the coronavirus. I hope that I can inspire others to travel with an open mind and live your life to its full potential. Peace and Love. ✌️

P.S You can support this site and save money by using this link to book cheap hotels and flights 🥰 : (Book with TRIP.com)

Search My Travel Blog

backpack bobs travel blog top post 75 best travel movies to ispire travel
thailand tourist visa
Phi Phi Island Travel Guide Info

Connect With Me

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email Reddit
Facebook

Latest And Hottest Posts

  • How to Get From Koh Lanta to Khao Sok: Fast Cheap and Easy

    6 February 2023
  • Krabi Bus Terminal: Timetables Schedules and all the Bus Routes

    4 February 2023
  • What is an SHA Plus Hotel in Thailand: What SHA Means and Does it Matter

    2 February 2023
  • Complete Beginners Guide: How I Learned To Ride a Scooter in Thailand (Honda Click) 🛵

    30 January 2023
  • Koh Jum: A Full Guide to Thailand’s Forgotten Island

    28 January 2023

BOOK CHEAP TRAVEL IN ASIA 🔽

klook banner thailand is calling
300x250
300*250
Phi Phi Island Tour Banner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Reddit
Footer Logo
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

DOGE: DKzFay5rWEwEL3XQPkgfTdGaaZRxV5nAyY
BTC: 3Me2N4HNCN42CfLsZkrL5H9BVxHQY3rmry
ETH: 0x7372f12D0416e06533783d30f82e3268f286560f

BOOK ACCOMODATION:
BOOKING
AGODA
TRIP
HOSTELWORLD

©2012-2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BACKPACK BOB.

You are welcome to use any photos which I publish on my blog, for free. Providing that credit is given in the form of a link to this website. 💙📸 Contact me for full resolution images. or check out my profile on Shutterstock.

BackPack Bob 🌴
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
DOGE: DKzFay5rWEwEL3XQPkgfTdGaaZRxV5nAyY
BTC: 3Me2N4HNCN42CfLsZkrL5H9BVxHQY3rmry
ETH: 0x7372f12D0416e06533783d30f82e3268f286560f

BOOK ACCOMODATION:
BOOKING
AGODA
TRIP
HOSTELWORLD

©2012-2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BACKPACK BOB.

You are welcome to use any photos which I publish on my blog, for free. Providing that credit is given in the form of a link to this website. 💙📸 Contact me for full resolution images. or check out my profile on Shutterstock.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.