BANANAS: Stores in Thailand are using banana leaves as packaging to avoid using plastic packaging.
By Kate Di Guglielmo, Staff Writer
It has become popular to use metal or reusable straws in an attempt to save the turtles, but has anyone heard of using banana leaves to package items in order to avoid plastic usage? In Thailand, stores are starting to use banana leaves to hold and store packaged items. Many may think this is unnecessary because many Americans already use reusable bags to avoid using plastic. However, even while using reusable bags, food is still constantly packaged into plastic wrapping. From thin to thick bags, plastic is still being used in stores nationwide.
Although this may be the first time one has heard of the usage of banana leaves, it is not a new idea. Thousands of years ago in India and the Philippines, organic materials were used to hold items and package them together. The size of the banana leafs makes it easy to use and to fold into what is convenient. Filipinos also use bamboo to tie the leaves together if they cannot be folded.
Among banana leaves, fruits and other leaves are used as natural packaging as well. This can include mango leaves, pandan leaves, and coconut palm leaves. This certain type of packaging can reduce billions of pieces of plastic from contaminating the planet. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, there is information displaying that by 2050, there will be twelve billion tons of plastic in the world. By using compostable packaging, people can stop contaminating the world with plastic and reverse the effects plastic has had on the environment. Animals, fish, and even the earth can be saved by using this simple method.
Many have invested in this idea in order to help the environment, including the Philipine Government. The Philipine Government is investing thousands of dollars into new banana packing services in Davao del Norte to help the environment heal.
Should the United States become as devoted as the Philipine Government and invest money in order to help save the environment? Or, should the United States take other precautions to help the environment? So far, this type of natural packaging hasn’t been used in the United States. However, using leaves has become a popular alternative and may catch on. In the United States, many states have started charging extra money for bags. Helping the environment has been a motivation for humans to start using reusable sources, including all wide varieties of leaves and other natural products.