With knock-offs of the famous ‘I am not a plastic bag’ tote becoming the latest fashion trend in Bangkok, the days of getting a plastic bag for every item bought at 7/11 may soon be a thing of the past. But while this conservation fad will hopefully cut down on unnecessary waste, there’s one job plastic bags will still have to perform. Rather than serve their iced-tea or orange soda in plastic cups, sidewalk drink vendors in Bangkok often opt instead for using a plastic bag. They scoop in some ice, pour in the drink, and insert a straw. And while it may not be terribly stylish, it is actually less wasteful than buying your drink in an individual aluminum can or a plastic bottle.
