Summer has officially arrived and the days are long warm and ‘we are living in the best place, at the best time and we better appreciate it’, says Clare, my wife and compass who steers me along the winding road, making sure I don’t stray and fall down too often. Walking along the sea shore this time of year is always a pleasure but I had things on my mind I needed to air out with my reliable friend who was already in his customary place at our watering hole by the harbour. He looked at me over the rim of his reading glasses, away from his smart phone, like a teenager caught out. I got right to the point. ‘

Did you know Camp that the Philippines are responsible for 35% of plastic waste in the oceans, three times more tonnage than the next in line: India and twice as much as all the rest of the world.’

            ‘No, I didn’t. Should I be surprised? Garbage awareness and recycling are acquired traits and need to be taught from an early age.’

‘Exactly. It’s called social responsibility and if everyone throws their garbage into the rivers and lakes and out the car window then that becomes the accepted norm.’

‘As in: Why should I recycle my empty pop bottle if the car in front of me just tossed out a bag full of McDonalds containers?’

            ‘Yes, most of the roadside garbage originates at fast food outlets but I have to say that here in Canada we’re shamed if we so much as drop a bottle cap in the gutter. Garbage management and recycling are ingrained and littering is fined and not tolerated by the general public.’

            ‘Going back to plastic in the oceans, these are staggering statistics. The Philippines, which is an archipelago of over 7000 islands with a coastline of 36’000 km – almost the circumference of the planet – has 4820 plastic emitting rivers and is responsible for over 35% of the ocean’s plastic waste. Over 75% of the accumulated plastic in the oceans comes from mismanaged waste in Asian countries. That’s not a prejudice but a sad fact.’

            ‘So much food in Asia, from Vietnam to Thailand to India is takeaway in containers. The amount of food packaging garbage is staggering.’  

            ‘Which brings me to plastic bags. There are a lot of myths out there about the humble plastic bag like people have been made to believe that paper bags are a better environmental choice than plastic when in fact paper bags require many times more energy to produce than plastic. They pollute more air and water and weigh ten times as much per bag which translates into more fuel for transport,’ I pointed out.

            ‘I do know that plastic bags are a by-product of the oil refining process and that natural gas is the source of most plastic bags. Isn’t it Ireland that taxed plastic grocery bags? How successful was that?’ Camp said.

            ‘I tell you. Checkout plastic bags declined but sales of packaged plastic bags went up 400%, resulting in a net gain of plastic bags going to landfills. Most people reuse plastic grocery bags at least once for other purposes, unlike special use bags. Also, plastic recycling is actually a very simple, cost and energy efficient process and is turned mostly into other refuse and new plastic bags.’

            ‘You sound like you would like grocery stores to hand out plastic bags again.’

            ‘Yes, I do. I miss my grocery plastic bags. Now I have to buy special garbage bags which come packaged in a carboard box. They are one-time use bags, heavier and expensive.’

            ‘What about those canvas or polypropylene bags which everyone from the grocery to the liquor stores sells for a dollar? Aren’t they better for shopping?’

            ‘I suppose but most of these heavyweight bags are made in the far east and shipped halfway around the world to our stores and they weigh ten times as much as your old plastic bag. Think about that carbon footprint.’

            ‘What about restaurants and pubs. Do they really recycle or does most of it end up in the bin and the landfill?’

            ‘Let’s ask Vicky. She would know.’

            ‘Our takeaway containers are made from corn starch, not plastic or styrofoam and we recycle our beer, wine and liquor bottles. They all have refundable deposits on them. From 5 to 10 cents. That adds up and kegs are reused,’ she said, switching our empty mugs for some fresh pints.

            ‘Looks like the pub is a full recycle facility. We’re doing our part.’