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Topic: Work group - Plastic bag fee (Read 1719 times)
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Roland
Newbie
Posts: 3
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members
Charly - charly@blackboard-dahab.com
Work Group: PLASTIC BAG FEE
Need to find out…
-Is plastic bag fee practised anywhere in Egypt? Has it been tried any places before? Experience?
-Statistics: Reduced use of plastic bags? Other relevant statistics?
-Necessary with a local law?
-How can it be managed practically?
-How much?
-Production of cotton bags: Cost/ profit to the project
-Other relevant information?
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« Last Edit: December 08, 2007, 01:07:46 AM by Klaus »
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Charly
Newbie
Posts: 4
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Hello  Thanks everybody! Its great to get the ball rolling.
I Have found a couple of really interesting articles talking about Plastic bags, why they're are a problem and advice about what we can do about this problem. I'm gathering some of the most interesting and helpful information to bring to the meeting on Friday, if anyone would like to see this website before...
www.planetark.com/campaignspage.cfm/newsid/7/story.htm
Lots of great advice here!
See you Friday, in shallah
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 BagBird.jpg (33.55 KB, 200x275 - viewed 422 times.)
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Charly
Newbie
Posts: 4
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Hello again
So, after the first meeting I started my research into Plastic Bags (PBs). There is so much information available on the internet and I spent hours reading horror stories where in the marine environment, PB litter is lethal, killing thousands of whales, turtles and other sea life every year. The facts are scary. After an animal is killed by PBs its body decomposes and the plastic is released back into the environment where it can kill again. And it can take up to 1000 years for the bag to decompose.
And of course, plastic bags sucked against fence or rock in the desert, all over the floor, and floating around the sky is so ugly. Which we all know.
So what shall we do about it?
Plastic Bag Tax
I learnt that some countries have already applied a tax to plastic bags and it has proven to drastically reduce usage. Since March 2002, Ireland has reduced its plastic check-out bag usage by 90% by adding a 9 pence sales tax which the consumer pays.
But eventually the bag will still be discarded. And then although reduced, we still have a problem.
Is it possible to make Dahab Plastic Bag Free? (No Plastic Bags in our Town)We can try. I was shocked by how many other places in the world have achieved this goal…
Bangladesh, West Bengal, Tanzania, Rwanda, Pakistan, South Africa, Mumbai, Somalia, Botswana, Uganda, Kenya, Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Papa New Guinea, Bhutan.
All have an Outright Ban on plastic Bags. I need to find out how effective the bans are, are these places truly 'plastic bag free'? Is it a law, how is it governed?
Suitable Alternatives to PBs
Re-useable Cotton Bag
Paper Bag
Biodegradable plastic Bag – Can we get these in Egypt?
Cardboard Box – from the stock of supermarkets
 any other ideas
I'm obviously still at the beginning of my research. But it did make me feel it could be possible.
So before our next meeting my mini plan is to…
A) Research success in going Plastic Bag free, and how to implement it successfully.
B) Compile a list of independent retailers that use Plastic Bags in Dahab.
C) Make an example Cotton tote bag
I'm aware that when I use a plastic bag, there's a high chance it could end up in the sea, or in the mountains, or in the stomach of a goat. I never throw rubbish on the floor, but I don’t watch every PB I use for 1000 years to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere it shouldn’t. So I'm partly responsible about these problems.
I would love it if Dahab was free from ugly plastic bags.
What does anybody else think? If anyone has more information or advice or can offer any practical help please do!
I look forward to the next meeting, Happy Christmas
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« Last Edit: December 16, 2007, 09:12:07 PM by Charly »
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whitehawk
Newbie
Posts: 22
DJ White Hawk
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Yes Yes , and Hi
Yep The PB Outright Ban would be the best, but it still is not the total solution!
Go in the supermarket and look, what do you see? Almost all the products are packed in some kind of plastic! PBs I would suggest, it would only be about 20 - 30 % of the plastics. Kill the plastic age its enuff!
Plastic Packaging has a long shelf life, but its not healthy. Moldy foods!!!
moldy bacteria is encouraged and it can be slightly toxic and all the other preservatives
Fresh bread in a cotton bag or plastic bag? think!
no mold in cotton bag heheh stick to fresh food...
Cairo was once some years back chosen by the world as the best trash recyclers(not the cleanest city though).
Might be a bit primitive but it makes money.
So where does Dahab's trash go?
It goes to Nuweiba, some of it sorted for better value, but anyway all goes to Cairo.
So my idea, I think would be some kind of careful windproof collecting and transporting system, so nothing gets littered on the way. You should see sometimes when it really gets windy, trash is flying out from those trucks uncontrollably.
So an important fact is the collecting system, where are the bins, where is the trash system? is it only on the promenade? What about the rest of the town?
Trash is put in weak trash bags that often tear as you move the bag. Or dogs tear it open , scavenging the food, and don forget the goats and camels go for it too! So maybe some really tough animal proof trash bags?!? For some bedoiuns its the only source for the animals.So there.
The organic waste separated (put it in a use plastic bag heheh) and should be collected by goats and camels Bedouin's truck.
So they can have plenty of fodder. But all this is not so feasible..They can help themselves going to restaurants and hotels to collect the bulkier stuff before the source dumps it in the trash.
The trash system has to be a tight closed system!
The plastic bag fee is not going work, because 'they' will cheat.
Bust the ones who litter! Fine or Jail! Swiss style....
Get some extra cops specially for the trash litterers, like the car park cops...
Enuff Said
cheers and keep dahab clean once it got cleaned well!
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« Last Edit: February 13, 2008, 03:29:11 PM by whitehawk »
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whitehawk
Newbie
Posts: 22
DJ White Hawk
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Some Stickers and propaganda
Plastic Bags - Just say "No!"
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Klaus
Administrator
Sr. Member
Posts: 488
let's bring the paradise back to dahab ...
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here s the latest ssdm plastic bag ban news ...
From: SSDM Chairman Zeyad M. ELBassel
Dear friends and colleagues,
On Sunday the 17th of Feb. 2008; SSDM organized a brain storming session.
Attached you will find a summery of the ideas and suggestions that we received.
In addition, you will also find the outcome of the brain storming session and the plan of action for getting started.
SSDM will host a follow up meeting on the 4th of March 2008 at 11 AM to follow up, make correction and keep rolling.
If you wish to attend the meeting, please call Doaa - SSDM office manager - to confirm your attendance.
I would like to thank all of you for sharing your ideas, experiences and suggestions with SSDM.
Your feed back and input is highly appreciated.
Best wishes
Sincerely,
Zeyad M. ELBassel
Chairman
chairman@southsinai.org
Plastic Bag Campaign
Aim: To reduce and ultimately ban the use of plastic bags throughout the South Sinai
Issues: Plastic bags are used at all retail outlets in Egypt, and many times when it is unnecessary. Customers rarely say “no” to the bags and staff members behind the counters are unaware of the environmental concerns. They use bags even when someone is just buying a bar of chocolate.
Elements:
* Educate staff at retail shops on the environmental effects of plastic bags and how to ask the customer “do you really need a plastic bag?”
* Encourage customers to bring their own carrying bag, trolley, canvas bags, pliable boxes, re-usable durable plastic bags when they shop;
* Sell both large and small SSDM made reusable canvas bags for people to use when shopping;
* Sell SSDM made back bags.
* Sell palm trees leaves baskets (Fayoum products)
* Print awareness posters to put up in retail shops;
* Get hotels to provide each tourist (1 per room?) with a re-usable shopping bag with the campaign logo/ motto that the tourists can use during his stay in Sinai;
* After a transition period (a year?), then the hotels can make them available in the hotel for sale. The hotels can also inform tourists that there is a plastic ban in Sinai and that guests can purchase re-usable bags in the gift shop’
* Get larger grocery stores to sponsor reusable canvas bags. They would sell these to customers as an option at the check out counters (instead of paying for plastic bags EGP 13/kgs);
* Possibly compensate customers who bring their own bags;
* All funds raised from the sale of the bags will go towards this campaign.
Plan of Action:
* Contact other NGO’s and civil local entities for ideas, help and coordination,
* Estimated budget, fund raising ideas and financial policy,
* Designing and manufacturing of canvas bags with logo, an attractive design and motto
* Designing and printing awareness posters and handouts
* Recruit sponsors; DC, retails shops, Vodafone, EEAA, others
* Creating education packages or small talks to give to management/staff at retail shops in the Old Market, Hay El Nour, Rowayssat and Hadaba.
* Promote the campaign through community meetings, schools, hotels and correspondence with retail shop management
* Talk about the campaign and educate your family, friends and colleagues
* Get the governorate involved
SSDM Brain storming session.
On Sunday the 17th of Feb. 2008
In spite of the harsh facts and the potential difficulties; SSDM decided to go ahead with the project.
The main aspects of the project will include:
1. Preparation for the project launch,
2. Marketing the project to stack holders ( Education is the change of behavior),
3. Contact potential Sponsors ( DC, local businesses, hotels, travel agencies, etc)
4. Continuity and persistence is the key to success
5. SSDM role; organization, coordination, financing the project launch, follow up, etc
6. Role of participating community organizations, community members and volunteer
7. Getting tourists arriving to South Sinai involved; introduce the project packet (refuse plastic bags, use reusable bags flyer in a SSDM canvas bag)
8. Municipality role
The approved plan of action for the first step (Preparation for the project launch) includes the following points:
o SSDM board members and general members strongly adapt the idea of using reusable bags, canvas bags and baskets for shopping
o SSDM will contact the city Mayor and get more info about:
+ the a new garbage collecting company to start beginning of March
+ what about adapting the segregation system and home garbage collection ( concept attached)
+ Will SSDM get any support from the city mayor in the project?
- SSDM will acquire quotations for the “SSDM Shopping Bag”
o John kean, Peter Bossert and SSDM will get designs that reflects Sinai, environment and initiative for the following:
+ The campaign logo and motto
+ The attractive print/design on the bag
+ The posters and the handouts
o All participants, volunteers, association members, and community members will spread the word; promote the idea of using canvas bags and reusable bags, baskets during shopping among friends, colleagues and family. ( everyone of us can start doing this as of today)
o When we get the above quotations, SSDM treasurer will prepare the estimated budget and get it approved by the board
o The Bags are to be produced – Doaa (SSDM) will follow up the production and the printing quality
o SSDM, and John Kean will prepare a “Marketing package” that include:
+ The SSDM reusable nice designed canvas shopping bag
+ The poster and the hand out
+ The wall certificate that will be given to retail shop that is participating as a mean of recognition
o Volunteers are to be registered with SSDM and to be assigned to “market” the “Marketing package” with the retail stores:
+ Diving centers and water sports operations (SSDM contacts)
+ METRO, 24/7, Sheikh Abdalla, DAHAB ( personal approach and SSDM contacts)
+ HOTEL (SSDM contacts and SWC)
+ Tour operators (SSDM, CDWS, and personal contacts)
+ Residencial areas – Hadaba, Hay ELNOUR, Rowayssat, Aida, Delta, etc.
SSDM will host a follow up meeting on the 4th of March 2008 at 11 AM to follow up, make necessary corrections and collect feed back.
I would like to thank all of you for sharing your ideas, experiences and suggestions with SSDM.
Your feed back and input is highly appreciated; meanwhile, start by yourself, family, friends and colleagues; use reusable bags…………..
Best wishes
Sincerely,
Zeyad M. ELBassel
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***happy are those who dream dreams
and are ready to pay the price
to make them come true ***
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whitehawk
Newbie
Posts: 22
DJ White Hawk
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 um this is not related directly to plastic bags, but its the the plastic age that we are in and thats really disturbing...
this video is about the albatross dying from eating plastic thinking it was fish!
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iVjue0R5tHQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/iVjue0R5tHQ</a>]]>
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« Last Edit: February 27, 2008, 04:45:59 PM by Klaus »
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... well done !
