Category Archives: Microplastics

The Story of Plastic…27th July…

35 Replies

Hello and welcome to my environmental posts…it has been two weeks since I watched the film “The story of Plastic” and attended the virtual Q & A session shortly afterward…

Both worthwhile as there was much I learned and it left me not only with answers but questions and concerns…

The story of plastic charts how the gas and oil industries have been very successful in manipulating the narrative…Who are the heroes and villains?

Not the consumer as manufacturers and packaging companies have always had us believing…they would like us to continue believing we are not doing enough or not doing it correctly..they are always urging governments to run community-funded re-cycling initiatives when there is no responsibility on them to sort the problem…

The industry has to be responsible… if something cannot be easily compostable or recycled it should not be made…the industry needs to produce packaging which can all be recycled or THEY should take the used packaging back or PAY and support the government to provide the correct recycling facilities.

For too long cash strapped communities and governments have had to pay…

The solution should be manufacturer led and not consumer-led…

Cleanups are all well and good but the problem does not go away they are NOT the solution…

Of the annual plastic production…

  • 32% is litter
  • 40% landfill
  • 14% incinerated
  • 14 % recycled
  • 2% effectively recycled

These figures are always changing...much has changed now that Asia as a whole has stopped taking the trash of the western world.

If you really look into those figures or more to the point the next step…

Landfill…as plastic degrades it releases toxic gases into the atmosphere…which means waste and climate change are all part of the same problem.

Incinerated plastic ...releases CO2 into the atmosphere…as well as toxins…

This is a better solution...

Recycled…some are part of the circular economy which is good but if it is downcycled it is made into something much worse…Can it be I ask…

When recycling is cleaned where does that water go?… Ask yourself as you diligently recycle DO you actually know what happens to your recycling? More to the point even those who collect your recycling don’t even know what happens to it when it leaves their depot…

Did you know and this is what shocked me…biscuit wrappers, crisp packets and those little single-use sachets which are sold everywhere in Asia and creeping into the western world which contain ketchup, spices, chilli, hair shampoo conditioner, powdered milk, coffee…you name and you can buy in a single portion…

I order in a pizza maybe twice a year...a treat for the grandkids…They give us enough ketchup, spices, and chilli to last the year with the order…

smart

These little sachets are multi-layer and these layers include paper, plastic, aluminum, (EPS), Polyvinyl-chloride, Polypropylene (PP); THEY are non-recyclable…

Currently, there are around 83 kinds of separation for plastic...That is crazy…as I said in the beginning manufacturers and packaging plants should not be allowed to produce anything which cannot easily be reused or recycled and not in thousands of years in a landfill…Years ago I saw the disaster for two homes which were built on or close to a landfill site…when an explosion occurred there was nothing left just a burnt gaping space…

What am I going to do?… I will not buy any more single portion sachets or accept any if I order pizza…

The effect on my household... it just means if I go away I will buy shampoo etc and then leave it for the next person …the same with suntan lotions no more single sachets for a weekend away…or I will take my own small containers if allowed by the airlines…there are many lovely little bamboo containers for sale here just right for shampoo and shower gel…Which means whatever the circumstances I can do without those small sachets as for biscuit wrappers and crisp packets…

I think many of us over the last few months have been making our own cookies and although crisps…may be harder for some to give up it can be done and think of the difference it will make to your waistline…SAY NO TO ANYTHING WHICH CANNOT BE RECYCLED.

Little Luke did…

Or write to the manufacturer…crisps used to have little blue paper bags of salt…it may have been damp sometimes but we coped…they also came in paper bags… we need to be more proactive especially if it is a product we like to buy…

Over the next few weeks, I will look at the consequences of fracking, plastic, and especially micro and nano plastics which are now being found increasingly in our food and water throughout the world.

Recent studies found plastic particles in 83% of tap water samples taken globally and 93% of bottled water.

I am not saying we don’t need plastic we do BUT..definitely no single-use plastic at all around the world and reuse wherever you can…The remainder of plastic needs to be fully recyclable within a reasonable timescale and not thousands of years…

Thank you for reading be well and stay safe xxx

About Carol Taylor: Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all stay safe and healthy xx

 

 

 

 

Recycling and Climate Change… 20th July 2020…

24 Replies

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of recycling and climate change news from around the world…

Since last Monday I have watched “The Story of Plastic“…Did any of you register and watch it?

Tonight I am attending a zoom panel discussion and Q&A...I am looking forward to that as this film has raised many questions which I would like the answers to or know what the way forward is…

Briefly, it was the story of the birth of plastic and how far it has come…Did you know that plastic was once a waste product?

plastic-3577044_640

It is the story of how the oil & gas industry has been successful in manipulating the narrative…The story of how some plastics just cannot be recycled…It is the story of sachets which are multi-layers of different substances, plastic, aluminum, paper these 1 serving convenient little sachets cannot be recycled…

smart

These Sachets cannot be recycled

It is the story of the fact that recent studies found plastic particles in 83% of tap water samples globally and 93% of bottled water.

It is the story of crisp and biscuit wrappers that are also non-recyclable they are single-use and disposed of immediately…

For too long manufacturers have put the blame on consumers and the fact we don’t recycle enough…It is time that manufacturers were made to be responsible if it cannot be recycled then they should not be making it they should be responsible for the packaging of all goods and for that packaging to be fully recyclable.

For the next few weeks, I will be discussing all the aspects of this film and the Q & A session…

Now let’s look at what I have for you this week…

Glass bottles…I buy liquids in glass bottles under the assumption that glass is best…However, despite the cons, I am not saying you should ditch the glass…glass does not leach toxic chemicals, making it a great option for you to continually use and repurpose it. Use it to fill up a soy wax candle, for your bulk food shopping, keep leftovers in the fridge or to store your DIY cleaning products/beauty/skincare creams. I love glass …However…

Reuse as much as possible what you already have rather than buying new and if you have to dispose of glass, clean it properly, and ensure it is being properly recycled.

The cons could be behind the industry move to create a bottle that is made out of entirely sustainably-sourced pulp to meet food-safe standards and will be fully recyclable in standard waste streams.

The technology is going to open doors to a lot of other drinks companies, who up until now have only had glass bottle options for their packaging.

First out of the blocks is Johnnie Walker Whiskey…

My son’s first comment when I showed him the bottle was…That’s good if you drop it maybe it won’t break…I think the bottle looks really good …classy looking …

Children’s clothes and school uniforms are often items that are as good as new when the kids outgrow them…The department store John Lewis has hit on a great idea…

In a bid to encourage parents not to buy all new clothes, the department store is introducing new organic cotton labeling to its own-brand children’s coats.

This will allow parents to cross out names and write new ones.

John Lewis wanted to test the initiative with coats because these are usually the longest-wearing and most costly item for a parent to buy…What a good idea!

It seems that UK stores are coming up with some great ideas… Lidl has become the first supermarket in the UK to launch new packaging made from “ocean-bound plastic”.

The plastic will be collected from beaches in South East Asia, which – according to the retailer’s research – is where 80-90% of plastic packaging enters the ocean.

The plan will see discarded plastic picked up, recycled, and turned into a resin.

The plastic the retailer collects would have otherwise ended up in the ocean.

Now for some great animal news last week it was bees this week it is Beavers who are renowned for their dam building.

Beavers reintroduced to tackle flooding in Essex have given birth to two kits – the first time the animals have been born in the county since the Middle Ages that’s over 400 years.

Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK…They have now been reintroduced and have had two adorable little kits…it is all part of a river management project and they became the first pair to be brought to Essex in around 400 years.

A spokesman said:

The adult beaver pair, Woody and Willow, have been building dams since their arrival as part of a partnership project with the Environment Agency and others.

Spains Hall Estate manager Archie Ruggles-Brise described news of the beaver babies as “fantastic”.

“If they are anything like their parents, the two kits will become phenomenal dam builders, and we will be watching closely as they expand the wetland and provide even more protection against flood and drought, and provide homes for loads of other wildlife,” he said.

A public vote on Twitter is being held to help pick names for the kits.

How cute is that and such good news…Thank you, Tori, for providing this little gem.

On that note that is all for today…

Thank you for reading be well and stay safe xxx

About Carol Taylor: Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all stay safe and healthy xx

Recycling and Climate Change…1st June 2020…and Covid-19…

25 Replies

Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of recycling and climate change news from around the world. Covid-19 is still dominating the news… many countries now are relaxing their quarantines and already some are seeing an increase in new cases I am guessing it is not over yet…But we soldier on…

Israeli researchers have come up with a brilliant new prototype for a self-cleaning face mask which can kill pathogens—such as COVID-19—simply by drawing power from a smartphone charger

Since announcing the success of their innovative device this week, a Technion spokesperson told reporters that the researchers have already filed a patent application for the mask with the aim of making it commercially available in the United States for just $1.

That being said, the team has not yet commented on whether the mask will be made available in Europe.

But what about the climate how has the coronavirus slashed carbon emissions? What news will this new month reveal?

My hopes for the future include a cleaner world… I do want to see communities, and caring for your neighbour becoming the new norm…WORKING TOGETHER INSTEAD OF WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER…Can we make this happen? Are we willing to make a stand? Personally, I would love to see lessons learnt ..realistically I have my doubts…

Plastic is still in the news…we are using far too much…

How shocking is this? A team of German-Swiss researchers has found that microscopic particles of plastic are falling out of the sky with snow in the Arctic. Researchers collected snow samples from the Svalbard islands using a low-tech method – a dessert spoon and a flask. They found more than 10,000 of them per litre of melted snow.

What if we didn’t have plastic?

Interesting…What would you rather?

Toilet paper shortages...Forests decimated to make our toilet paper…Do we really need it!

Asians rarely use toilet paper all houses are equipped with bum guns as we call them…

I myself absolutely dislike seeing dirty waterways…This river has a legal identity and if you pollute the river it can sue you…

In 2017, the Whanganui in New Zealand was granted legal rights. Like corporations, which have legal rights in many countries, this river is a rights-bearing entity whose rights can be enforced by local communities and individuals in court. Locals are starting to reap the benefits of this new legislation.

Have you heard of Metro Farms? Vegetables are grown under L.E.D. lighting…

Do you grow your own? By saving and swapping seeds you can preserve agricultural heritage.

However, not everything will take root or bear fruit…At the moment I am sprouting a sweet potato the leaves are growing quite quickly we will see whether I get sweet

potatoes …If I seed white potatoes I do get potatoes from them so we will see…

sweet potato seedling

I know we were all getting excited that this lockdown was having a positive effect and yes it is in many areas but we still need to be aware and this article is a very good one…I also watched their podcast which was interesting as Zeke Hausfather talked about the effect aerosols have…Personally, I don’t use aerosols at all now and haven’t done for a few years…Do I miss them actually no most things last longer…But do they make a difference for the good??? Or was I correct to stop using them???

 

That’s all for this week…we are in our rainy season now so hot steamy days and stormy nights so everything is growing super quick…

Thank you for reading be well and stay safe xxx

About Carol Taylor: Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all stay safe and healthy xx

Recycling and Climate change…The Good …No!… the Great News…

33 Replies

Yes, you read it right it is not the good BUT the great news today…

If England had a Prime Minister like Jacinda Arden ( New Zealand) I would happily use my proxy vote and vote for her…To me, she is what a prime minister should be…Jacinda Ardern’s landmark climate legislation has passed in New Zealand parliament, with historic cross-party support, 

A heart map held by a hand

It is those words cross-party support…which gladden my heart …Politicians everywhere on important issues should be working together across the parties and we certainly do not see enough of that…

This blog is not political as you know...Jacinda Arden deserved a mention…She was decisive about the TERRIBLE shooting AND guns and plastic got short shift as well…

Germany has unveiled a zero-emissions train…

 

Ikea…To use mushroom packaging…     That Will Decompose in a Garden Within Weeks

And it’s not the only big companies turning to this fungi packaging it is gaining momentum …

 

Although not without its critics...Sweden has a state-of-the-art waste collection system with recycling stations located no more than 300 metres from residential areas. There are also pipelines under roads that vacuum garbage which is sent by households to the stations.

The waste collection system helps to get rid of the smell of rubbish from neighbourhoods thanks to the use of underground deposits, it also means the rubbish does not occupy any space at street level.

It also boasts nearly zero percent of waste…a system so successful it is importing waste.

This is good news...Pilot plant to recover rare earths using Hydrogen…

Global Science Award for Removing microplastics from the sea goes to Irish teenager…

Here’s how he does it…

I love how young people are taking an interest and doing something about the world’s problems…Kudos to them…

All of the garbage trucks in Toronto, Canada will soon be powered by the biogas produced from the very trash they collect.

Toronto is set to be one of the first cities in North America to launch such an initiative, thanks to its newly-constructed Dufferin Solid Waste Management Facility.

Starting in March 2020, the city’s fleet of garbage trucks will collect all of the organic waste and food scraps from the Toronto Green Bins and bring them to the facility for processing.

How encouraging is that?

I love that around the world much is going on to minimise rubbish and clean up the world …I do think we all need to take part though and learn just how and what can be recycled as many things are made from a mixture of various types of plastics which then means they need specialist recycling. I am much more aware when I buy something now as to its composition so that in the event it will need recycling at some stage I know where and how…or even if it can be recycled.

Lots of good news today…Please share your good news stories we would love to hear them…xx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there are now regular columns on my blog this year. It is important that we are mindful of the world we live in…We all need to be aware of our own homes carbon footprints…where does our food come from? How far does it travel…Simple to do but if we all did it…Not only would we support local businesses but reduce our carbon footprint…

green foot prints eco system

 

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a creative week ahead xx

CarolCooks2…Weekly roundup…Health, Recipes, and plenty of Christmas cheer! …Week ending 17th Nov 2019…

25 Replies

Welcome to this week’s roundup and do I have some goodies for you…Lots of things going on in the world …The election in the UK is gathering momentum…There have been floods and lots of rain around the world, snow so many lovely images which I love seeing from the warm…haha…Loy Krathong is over for this year a lovely Thai Festival one of my favourites… which dates back 6,000 years…It is a beautiful festival I mean water, candles, flowers and beautiful girls however as ancient as it is I am pleased that certain things as in the making of the Krathong are being changed.

This is our little grandaughter with her Krathong made from banana leaves and fresh flowers…Isn’t it pretty?

So without any more ado let’s see what has been going on this week in my blogging world?

Monday… Recycling and environmental News…

Here in Thailand, the government means business and they have said a resounding NO!

In an effort to minimize plastic waste, Thailand will be curbing the use of plastic bags at shopping malls and department stores nationwide, from January of 2020.

This will be the first step for Thailand to eradicate any single-use plastic by 2021.

Photo credit: European Parliament on Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Already you can see the signs the bags are disappearing faster than the speed of light here…

Sweden… well my admiration knows no bounds have no recycling waste…More on this tomorrow…It is impressive what they have achieved…

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/11/11/recycling-and-environmental-news-11th-nov-2019time-to-say-no-to-plastic-bags/

Tuesday…Time for mistletoe and wine it’s Christmas time…

I love that song..made famous by Sir. Cliff Richard…

gingerbread-men-3084961_640

For a few weeks, Tuesdays will be devoted to everything Christmas…So please let’s have your recipes, pictures of your decorated houses and porches, gingerbread houses, Christmas jumpers/sweaters, homemade fudge or other sweeties anything Christmassy…

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/11/12/mistletoe-and-wine-christmas-time/

Wednesday…Whimsical Wednesday with Carol…

I was feeling rather lonely last Wednesday…NO COMMENTS…Then the lovely Pete kindly sent me a message …comments were disabled…How, when, where I hadn’t a clue but a Happiness engineer sorted it out for me so please if you wanted to comment and couldn’t it isn’t too late I would love to hear from you…Thank you, Pete, once again…

This is an example of what I really love about the blogging world someone is always ready to help…You all rock xxx

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/11/13/whimsical-wednesday-with-carol-18/

Also on Wednesday this week, I was over at Sally’s…

Where Sally discussed what the mineral Manganese provides and how we can increase manganese in our diets if we need to …The recipes which are tried and tested in my kitchen at home include ingredients which contain manganese…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/11/13/smorgasbord-health-column-cook-from-scratch-to-prevent-nutritional-deficiencies-with-sally-cronin-and-carol-taylor-minerals-manganese/

Thursday…Christmas… Mistletoe and Wine and all things good …

The first of my Christmas posts…You can expect tried and tested recipes which were passed down from my mum, recipes I have been gifted by friends and family from all over the world and which are now our family favourites.

Christmas Treats and Traditions 23rd Nov

Traditions there are many Christmas traditions practiced from around the world and I will be bringing you some of those and anyone who wishes to contribute with a guest post of their own on a special Thanksgiving dish or tradition then you would be very welcome so please share…  I know my friends across the pond and my rellies celebrate Thanksgiving on the 28th of November and have turkey and lots of other goodies …

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/11/14/christmas-mistletoe-and-wine-and-all-things-good/

Friday…Christmas …In my house…

This week I posted some Christmas cheer and trivia but starting next Friday my sample Christmas menus…I will be featuring more plant-based menus as I know many people are changing and cooking with more vegetables, lentil/beans all of which I love but the menfolk here not so much…so there will also be some recipes with fish or chicken…

victorian-christmas

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/11/15/christmas-in-my-house-traditions-treats-and-a-touch-of-trivia/

Saturday…There wasn’t a post this week as I was busy cooking and trying out a new ingredient I found called cowslip creeper…It is an edible flower very pretty and it tasted lovely…It grows in South East Asia, China, and India…I will share this recipe next week…

smart
smart

 

Here are just a couple of images to tempt you…I am nice …haha…The farmers market were selling big bags of produce and I brought a lovely big bag of fennel so looking for new recipes using fennel…

If you are experiencing wildfires or flooding then please stay safe…

Thank you for reading have a great weekend xx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and well being.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there are now regular columns on my blog this year. It is important that we are mindful of the world we live in…

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all are having a relaxing weekend xx

 

Recycling and environmental news 11th Nov 2019…Time to say no to plastic bags…

28 Replies

Once again a very warm welcome to this week’s recycling and environmental news where I post about the good, the bad and the ugly…and …said very quietly Christmas…I would also like to extend my thanks to all of you who support and comment on these posts. I know how passionate many of you are about not only the environment but recycling, our food chain, and manufacture…

circular recycling the world and a green leaf

I do try very hard to keep these posts as upbeat as I can as no one wants to read doom and gloom all the time, HOWEVER…I do think we all need to be aware of what goes on around us we cannot continue to bury our heads and live in our own little bubbles while child labour deforestation, climate change, chemicals in our food chain, animal testing, fracking, starvation, food waste, etc, etc merrily goes on…

Much of it is endemic I have come to believe and unless governments and manufacturers take a stand it won’t happen and we all know why?

We as individuals and consumers need to take a stand many won’t …sheep…But I fervently hope many will…warriors…One and all we all have a part we can play…Mums, dads, grandparents human or animal we all should educate and protect our young.

 

I am not downhearted I am in this for the long game…

Many countries are paying lip service to plastic, child labour and the like…Targets are set with a deadline I see targets for 2025, 2030, 2050 …That does not hearten me…I know some things take time…Not so here…2020…

I woke up to this headline…

No More Plastic Bags In Thailand From 2020

If you’re planning to go shopping in Thailand, you should probably bring a shopping bag with you!

An example of this was when I went shopping the other day and was told at the till( I always take my bags) “No more bags madam”

Me…Is that just for today?

Cashier…No madam forever…

Me…Big smile…Great News!

In an effort to minimize plastic waste, Thailand will be curbing the use of plastic bags at shopping malls and department stores nationwide, from the beginning of 2020.

This will be the first step for Thailand to eradicate any single-use plastic by 2021.

Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Warawut Silpa-Archa said that the country needs to reduce its sea waste.

She told Thai newspaper, Khaosod English that it’s time for Thailand to start thinking about the environment.

So far, at least 43 shopping malls and department stores will be participating in the program.

If you’re thinking of going to Thailand next year, it’s probably best for you to bring your own shopping bags… just in case.

Next step…The Thai government is also working on a 6-year plan to ban other types of plastics including cap seals, oxo-degradable plastics, microbeads, styrofoam packaging, straws and cups.

I witnessed this yesterday when wandering among the Krathong sellers stalls…Not a sign of styrofoam all-natural products from the banana tree.

The banana, unlike many trees, although technically classed as a herb, only produces fruit once and then new trees shoot up from its base to produce fruit and the cycle continues…Instead of dumping the waste the stems and the leaves are used…Circular recycling is done simply…

Another simple idea...For me, simple ideas are the best…

Precious Plastics…They are one to watch…

Closer to home…Well not in miles but a reader of this blog Is Steve Tanham…He is making eco-bricks with his plastic and what a great idea it is something we could all do…the kids could do…So pop over to Steve’s blog say hello to him and see how he does it!

steve tanham standing on his eco brick

Thank you, Steve, for sharing this with us…x

Lots of good news today…Please share your good news stories…xx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there are now regular columns on my blog this year. It is important that we are mindful of the world we live in…We all need to be aware of our home’s carbon footprints…where does our food come from? How far does it travel…Simple to do but if we all did it…Not only would we support local businesses but reduce our carbon footprint…

green foot prints eco system

 

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a creative week ahead xx