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You have to watch this!

I came across this video from miss ene’s and spent 20 minutes watching and listening to every word that Annie Leonard said. This video looks at “the underside of our production and consumption patterns and exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues.”

“From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view…”

You will be horrified to find out that we are all “programmed” to shop for 99% of the STUFF that we don’t need.

By who and why…watch the video.

I started to recycle stuff when I was living in Australia (because every family in my neighbourhood did so). Every house was given 2 bins – the normal trash bin and the recycle bin. I divided my trash every evening into 2 bins. And the recycle truck came every fortnight to collect it.

It was so convenient that people can’t find excuse not to do so.

I was so glad when Singapore finally launches its “Bring Your Own Bag Day BYOBD)” campaign. But people are still complaining for being so inconvenient and hence, take more plastic bags when they could.

Tell you what I witnessed at the supermarket during the BYOB day. (“During the BYOBD, shoppers who do not bring their own shopping bags can purchase reusable bags available at the participating supermarkets or donate 10 cents for each plastic bag taken at the checkout counters.”)

Simple right? But no. When I was choosing oranges at the supermarket, I saw a few aunties pulling and tearing those little plastic bags (for weighting fruits and vegs). They thought the whole world has stopped producing PLASTIC BAGS!

So being me and myself, I asked:”Auntie, why do you need so many bags??”

She quickly stuffed those crumpled plastic bags into her BIG plastic bag and left.

Amazing, wasn’t it?

The saddest thing is, some people are even willing to pay for the plastic bag for convenience. sake. “Aiyah…10 cents per plastic bag only mah…GIVE LOH!”

These people have forgotten why we have BYOB day at the first place. Very very sad indeed. Read this.

Recycle has become a big word now. But if you think by saving ONE plastic bag a day is enough, THINK AGAIN. May be you can do more by helping the environment and change the consumption patterns.

I don’t think I have done enough either. But you know what, I am going to start today and make a different, regardless how small it is.

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