A Piece of waste from Ourselves

I was surprised to learn from friends who have travelled to Europe that many hotels there don't provide single-use toothbrushes or toothpaste and that guests need to bring their own. This was surprising because the hotels I’ve visited always provide these items.

I always use my own personal items when travelling and rarely use single-use items, so it wasn’t a problem for me. However, I did wonder why wealthy European countries would skimp on such minor items.

When shopping at supermarkets abroad, I noticed they don't provide plastic bags for free. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention, but I soon realized that every customer brought their own bags. At the checkout counter, they would scan the items and place them in their own bags. Cashiers don’t bag items; they simply scan and push them to the customer.

One day, I forgot to bring a bag and ended up buying more items than planned. Struggling to carry everything, I noticed paper bags near the entrance. Assuming they were free, I took one. At checkout, I was charged 30 cents for the bag. It was a valuable lesson: nothing is free.

These countries are committed to reducing plastic bag usage. This might explain the lack of single-use items in hotel rooms. Their emphasis on reducing disposable waste extends to things like shower caps, which are often not provided either.

In the past, travellers used to carry their personal toiletries. As hotels competed to offer better services, they started providing these items. Knowing that they were easily available, people began to expect them. Some even take them home if not used.

In reality, personal toiletries should be just that—personal. We might think, "What difference does one small item make?" But these small items collectively add significant waste to our planet.

If everyone thought, "I don't have to do it; others will," the problem would never be solved. 

Initially, I thought proper waste disposal was enough. But now I realize that as responsible individuals, we need to minimize the waste we generate. By doing so, we can contribute to saving our planet.

Please make sure that our environment is not destroyed by our actions.
-May Thoon Khit-