Bizcuits  | The last straw

Leanda Lee

Recently we have seen some concerted single-use plastic and waste activism locally; and not before time. From a petition seeking a plastic-bag ban to “plogging”, individuals and groups have been raising the profile of the plight of our environment caused by waste in our economic system. Most disturbing has been the realisation that very little of any effect has been done about it.

The momentum has been visible on social media since the Plastic-Free July challenge this year with Macau joining the initiative started in Perth in 2011 which now galvanizes over 2 million people in 159 countries. Facebook groups like Macau Sustain Tips are starting to encourage individuals in their quest towards sustainable and zero-waste lifestyles.

Efforts like these are made difficult in an economic environment like Macau that remains largely unaware of the impact of our waste-ignorant business models. There are few viable alternatives to packaging and presenting goods that are both economically and environmentally sustainable – too many entities sacrifice one for the other, in both directions. Some of us curb our consumer choices or spend more money on the few and mostly artisan non-packaged options, while the majority sacrifice environmental sustainability for convenience or economic and financial reasons. Melding the two so that environmental sustainability is economically viable is the way forward but to do so requires some help from a higher authority.

As I finish writing this column 5,134 people have signed an ongoing on-line petition presented to the Government on 30th August by a group fronted by Annie Lao. This petition is in reaction to the State of the Environment of Macau 2017 report published by the Environmental Protection Bureau which revealed that Macau produces more solid waste (comprised of food and plastic) per capita than Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. It petitions the government for immediate action to “reduce waste and promote zero waste” by firstly “banning single use plastic and unnecessary plastic packaging at local supermarkets”; a jolly good start because it builds awareness by confronting the community with major behavioural shifts. It calls for the ban of single-use plastics – the ones that get thrown away after very little use. This would rebrand plastic as a resource, not a consumable.

Rather than recycling or incinerating, such waste can be stopped from entering the system in the first place. Recycling is not a panacea, but a moral hazard. We think we are doing the right thing by recycling but it is currently inefficient and resource-heavy and does not prompt a change in producer, supplier or consumer behaviour. The right thing is to change the paradigm of how and how much we consume.

The petition sought a response from the government by September 13th. As of midday yesterday, the government had not replied. The petitioning group argue that typhoon preparations may have taken precedence, but the typhoon is sure to bring to the surface the severity of our waste problem – all around us.

Such activism is not new. Cities and countries have banned plastic bags, straws, non-biodegradable take-away containers and even all single-use plastics.

One word of warning: Activism comes with its dangers. There is no-one so blinded than a newly minted ideological activist, as referred to in a letter to the editor this week telling the story of teen-age girls being berated for drinking with plastic straws. Emotion is a powerful tool in behavioural change but shame is far weaker than encouragement, understanding and the shock that comes from awareness of the outcomes of current behaviour. We only need 10 percent of our population to show by example how uplifting it is to live a cleaner, healthier and uncluttered life for others to become aware and change. This is where our Integrated Resorts – without resorting to green-washing – could genuinely lead the way, rather than bring us down. Kudos to MGM on their decision to replace single-use plastics. Lead on so that others shall follow!