TODAY, the Department of Tourism (DOT) was supposed to launch the first Philippine Shopping Festival across the country for the whole month of March to shore up sagging tourism receipts due to the COVID-19 scare. But it called it off due to, well, the virus scare.
Of course, all shoppers must bear in mind precautionary measures to thwart the spread of COVID-19. But to this we add: DOT must also campaign for reusable shopping bags. DOT should encourage consumers and retailers to ditch the wasteful plastic bag habit in line with the government’s thrust toward sustainable tourism.
In developing our tourism industry, we must strike a balance between economic opportunities and social responsibilities. We must ensure that any development in the tourism industry must not be undertaken at the expense of the environment, the tourists, and the host communities.
With the well-being of Mother Nature in mind, the department’s promotional campaign should give due emphasis to the environmental benefits of reusable bags that will encourage more shoppers, locals and foreigners, into proudly bringing their own bags whenever they shop. Instead of single-use plastic bags or paper bags, consumers should be reminded and rewarded for carrying reusable bags with them. This will help in reducing the environmental and climate impact of single-use bags, particularly the myriad of problems associated with their unrestrained production, consumption and disposal.
The use of bayong and other hand-woven bags made of native materials such as palm, pandan and water hyacinth, as well as DIY (do it yourself) tote bags from old clothes, katsa and fabric scraps, should be actively promoted and supported. The promotion of reusable bags will also help local government units (LGUs) as this will translate to decreased volume of plastic use and waste.
As shopping malls are also popular for dining, DOT should also use the nationwide sale to encourage a shift from disposables to reusables by restaurants, food courts, and other food and beverage vendors. It should amplify the call for food business to rethink disposable and phase in reusable foodware substitutes, for tourists to bring their own water bottles, and for everyone to take responsibility for their discards.
Yes, eco-friendly shopping is possible.
