Trash

There is so much use of single-use packaging in Phnom Penh. Many people love the packaging and the more layers the better, which makes sense for some things because it could leak and all, but I don't see the use of plastic and memory foams slowing down anytime soon, which is concerning.

What got me to think about this a bit more specifically was an interaction with a vendor. As usual, I brought my reusable lunch box to buy lunch (a bit more about where to buy the reusable in a bit). It looks like the photo below. The box itself doesn't get too hot, even if you put hot soup in it. It is made to be safe to contain both hot and cold food. I was buying cold food anyway.

After she put the food in, I closed the lid, and she then asked if I wanted a plastic bag. I said: no, thank you. And she asked: Why not?

I know the question was innocent and maybe caring because she might not want me to spill things, but I also wonder if she realises that it's good that I don't take the plastic bag because it means one less plastic bag is used, and one less plastic bag in trash/landfill.

That got me reflecting as I was eating the lunch that maybe people don't realise how their consumption pattern affects the environment directly.

I then wonder how other countries change their citizens' way of thinking regarding trash to encourage recycling, reusing, and reducing their use in general. Maybe we need some policy in place from the government to encourage or put a limit on the use of plastic and encourage reusable products instead? I will need to do more research on this. Maybe during my grad school. :)

A bit more about the reusable products - I also linked the picture above with the source of where you can buy this from.

This is their link for your review: https://onlyoneplanetkh.com/, and you can browse all the reusable products here: https://onlyoneplanetkh.com/reusables/. (They didn't sponsor this blog post, I just think they do great work and you can support them too).

Cheers to less trash! Join me in consuming fewer plastics/single-used packaging products.

P.S. You might get a weird look/stare at first as you hand these reusable products to the vendor. But don't get discouraged, they will get used to it. They might even give you a discount because you are not using their package. (Speaking from experience. *wink wink*)