local response
The reception from the residents of San Pedro has been well received. The older population remembers a time when single-use plastic was not a problem. Plastic in this area was not introduced until loaves of bread were sold in plastic bags. Until then, traditional baskets, plates, and banana leaves were used to transport goods to and from the local market. For them, the change is welcomed.
Children are taught in school to sort trash and to not litter. After speaking to parents, it has become clear that this message must be enforced at home. Kids say they understand why they are making a change and know how to sort their trash. They encourage their friends to take appropriate actions with their trash when they can.
Children are taught in school to sort trash and to not litter. After speaking to parents, it has become clear that this message must be enforced at home. Kids say they understand why they are making a change and know how to sort their trash. They encourage their friends to take appropriate actions with their trash when they can.
Alternative methods are being used to carry items. While traditional textiles are very expensive, reusable plastic bags make it easy to carry items to and from the market. Woven baskets are also used to hold food when possible. It is typically bigger fruits and vegetables that are transported in baskets or containers. Smaller items, like berries or nuts, still seem hard to figure out how to transport in smaller quantities. Trash is also sorted and picked up on different days. There are different days for organic and non-compostable trash.
Still, there are still some people who use single-use plastics when they should not be. In some cases, stores do still have plastic bags, but very few. This is because some people, locals and visitors, ask for them. In other cases, it is still too expensive to buy biodegradable bags, cups, or utensils. There are very few people who actively disapprove of the ban on single-use plastic.