Plastic Bags and Poverty

The debate to save the environment continues all over the world. An item that many of us have used for years and perhaps continue to use without due regard is the plastic bag.

The plastic bag has contributed to poverty amongst the women I work with in unexpected ways. How, I hear you ask? Well imagine this.. in developed countries when we think about assests, to most of us it's the homes we own, valuable jewellery etc in some developing countries especially in rural areas, their assets are goats, cows, sheep and other live stock. These are what people trade to send children to school, buy anti malaria tablets etc.

Imagine therefore if you will a situation where a family wakes up and their prized goat is dead because it swallowed a plastic bag that was carelessly disposed of! I have seen this with my own eyes and the despair in people's eyes when they realised what had happened

Some governments such as the Ugandan government have realised the effect of plastic bags on the environment and outlawed them last year and incredible whilst in some circles this was welcomed in others their was outrage. I continue to follow this with interest

If you provide handouts/training materials/goodie bags as part of your events have you considered using a natural bag?