The campaign against plastic bags has been launched in many communities
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| Despite the awareness of the hazard of plastic bags, many shoppers still use plastic bags. |
The campaign against plastic bags has been launched in many communities, focusing on women. However, the results are not satisfactory as expected.
Plastic bags are an environmental hazard which takes decades to break down. They are also a major eyesore. Easily carried by the wind, plastic bags hang in bushes and float on rivers.
Local women’s associations have made great effort to launch campaigns against the use of plastic bags helping raise public awareness of bad effects plastic bags can have on the environment.
Initiatives have been undertaken to change both sellers and shoppers’ habit of using plastic bags in everyday life. Most of the campaigns against plastic bags have taken place in rural areas while the urban population seems more likely to use plastic bags on a large-scale in their everyday life.
“In spite of the great effort and support of women’s associations, many shoppers still use plastic bags as they are convenient, water resistant, light and inexpensive,” said Nguyen Thi Hong Mai, Ninh Binh, Ninh Hoa Town .
It seems that most shoppers cannot get rid of the habit of using plastic bags. In addition, store clerks are often eager to hand out plastic bags for all kind of purchases.
Despite the awareness of the hazard of plastic bags, many still use plastic bags as they cannot find other kinds of environmentally friendly bags to replace.
Obviously, plastic bags are superfluous and avoidable most of the time. More public education in both rural and urban areas is required to reduce the consumption of plastic bags and raise awareness of the environment.
N.T
