During the weekend, I went to the mall to meet up with some of my friends. As I was walking around the mall, I stumbled upon a big bucket where you can put your plastic shopping bags in to recycle. A good thing is, I did not have any plastic bags with me as I have started using reusable bags when I go shopping and/or stuff them in my handbag. I did, however walked towards the bucket to see how much people have recycled their plastic bags.

I was very sad to discover that the bucket was empty. Out of all of the people who pass by, carrying a lot of plastic bags with them, none even bothered to look at the bucket. They just ignored it. I understand that they may need those plastic bags to carry the products they have purchased but, they could have used a reusable bag or stuffed all of their things into one big plastic bag, in this way, they would at least reduce the amount of plastic bags used (but still not advised to do so). 

Bali has a plastic issue. Everywhere you go, you will see plastic. Wether it is plastic bags, or plastic bottles, or plastic food wrapping, everything is plastic. My friends and I often take walks in the mangrove forest but, the view has been destroyed due to the numerous amounts of plastic trash being thrown everywhere. This not only creates visual pollution, it also creates danger towards the animals that lives around the mangrove forest. 

A large part of the people in Bali do not realize how important it is to stop using plastic bags. Fortunately, a group called Bye Bye Plastic Bags are working on a project to make Bali plastic free. The founder of the team is a personal friend of mine and they have gotten the attention of the governor of Bali. In fact, the governor has agreed to help out. 

Hopefully in the near future, Bali will be plastic bags free. We have to start small to do big so I have encouraged my friends into minimizing their use of plastic bags and to bring their own reusable water bottle around.