Letter from Faye Chiam (Ms), Straits Times Forum 19 Jun 08;
I REFER to the recent debate on plastic bags, as highlighted in last Friday's article, 'Plastic bags: Ban or not to ban?'.
While I fully support the movement to reduce plastic bag usage, I feel we are missing the real elephant in the living room - ourselves.
After all, the problem is not plastic bags. The problem is our wasteful consumption patterns.
Bringing your own is a simple, effective way to reduce waste. While not entirely a solution, it is definitely a way to lessen the problem.
In fact, why stop at bags? There is no reason why one should not be able to bring your own mug to purchase your morning coffee or your own container to purchase take-out food.
Every effort counts when it comes to protecting the environment and it starts from changing some of the very tenets of our lifestyle and culture.
