The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.116)

but she is caught in a dilemma as it upsets her to read in the media about marine life being endangered by plastic waste. “We often have customers who request for a mere few pieces of tofu to be packed into a large plastic bag, but refusing them is not an option, let alone urging them to bring along their own containers. Some regard it as an inconvenience, while others claim that they tend to forget to pick up a container on their way out. I think it comes down to individual will,” quipped Lisa. Leading the change Since post-World War II, plastic bags have become widely used in homes and the retail industry. The easy availability of plastic bags has, however, led to excessive use without considering the impact of their inability to decompose naturally on the environment. The Selangor Government launched the “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign in 2010 and enforced a ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in 2017 as part of its environmentally-conscious initiatives. The directives were music to Bee Lai’s ears as she has cultivated the habit of bringing her own eco-friendly bag and reusable food containers everywhere she goes over a decade ago. This practice has been emulated by her three daughters, much to her relief. “Carrying around food containers may seem troublesome at first, but it gradually becomes second nature. It saves me the trouble of cleaning or disposing of used plastic bags. On second thought, are plastic bags really as convenient as we perceive?” mused Bee Lai as she transferred her container of tofu into the refrigerator. A cursory glance revealed that the contents of Bee Lai’s refrigerator are neatly organized in containers of varying sizes. “I always encourage my friends to bring along their own food containers, but they find it a bother. I would try to persuade them otherwise; it’s as easy as bringing the packed food home and putting them into the refrigerator,” she added with a smile. Bee Lai’s routine of utilizing reusable containers is, in fact, an environmentally- conscious practice disguised as a habit of convenience, rooted in her concern for the environment. She spares no effort in adopting environmentally-friendly practices and actively seeks to reduce the use of plastic, as evident in her refusal to use the plastic straws provided at restaurants. Tackling environmental issues at the source The 21st centuryhas seen the advent of rapid technological advances and fast food culture, giving rise to increased demand for disposable packaging and a growing trend towards online retailing. E-commerce platforms have gained traction across the digital sphere in the past few decades, resulting in a surge in the production of goods and by extension, a staggering amount of packaging materials ending up as waste, taking a further toll on the environment. In light of this worrying phenomenon, Bee Lai is mindful of the impact of her lifestyle choices on the environment. She refrains from purchasing goods with excessive packaging, opting for fresh produce instead and insisting on packing them into reusable containers. As calls for environmental conservation become more pertinent than ever, Bee Lai believes that efforts TZU CHI 116 23 Pulling the Plug on Plastics