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3. What is the general feedback from the community?
The most common feedback we have received is that they have found it extremely challenging to eliminate this waste from their daily lives. Plastic products, especially these few types, are so deeply connected with all aspects of our lifestyles that very often people receive these plastics in their transations without even asking for it.
Plastic bottles in companies, both for clients as well as staff consumption is a big issue. Some users informed us that their companies have no water filters or water cans – they solely rely on small bottled water for their supply which we believe is extremely careless.
Take for example a straw. People may order a drink or a cocktail, but the straw comes almost naturally with it, unasked. In order to avoid it people have to emphasize to the waiter several times to not give them a straw, while ordering their drink.
Another example is the disposable cup. While placing an order in places like Wagas (most commonly complained location) people have requested to not be served in a disposable cup and be served in regular, reusable cups. However, either they still get served in disposable cups or are told that there is no other option. So people either not buy a beverage, or drink them in a disposable. Some resist, but quite a few give up (considering we are facing some serious summer in Shanghai).
4. Many people may embrace the idea but feel reluctant to change their lifestyle and hard stick to the idea,
as plastic has been a part
for
their life and it does cause inconvenience in some cases. How are you going to approach
these audience
? What suggestion do you have?
We are aware that most of the people, unfortunately, still find it difficult to replace plastic cups and bottles with the reusable containers as it has already become part of their daily routine to be served with branded plastic packaging.
However, we believe that, if we spread the message of how a big impact every individual is able to make just by changing these simple habits, it may lead to a significant number of responses. The more people become involved in this campaign and share it with their friends, the greater awareness shall be achieved.
A point that we would like to highlight here is that unlike most other campaigns we previously implemented, this campaign is particularly challenging. Our focus is not on the final number of pledge we receive but on encouraging people to try to be less dependant on such common plastics in their lives.
To us, pledging and failing is okay. NOT trying is not. The former shows that people truly care, and want to try.
Only when you try do you realize the gravity of a problem.
The Following are how we are encouraging the campaign followers to reduce these plastics:
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Carry a cloth bag and buy fruits and vegetables from the local wet market instead of going to the supermarkets (since supermarkets veggies and fruits come heavily packaged).
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Instead of having to buy coffee in a disposable cup every day, we suggest bringing a reusable coffee mug.
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Replace plastic bottles with a reusable bottle and carry and refill whenever we see a water dispenser.
Finally, we can avoid plastic straws by using our lips or reusable stainless steel straws and by telling to the restaurants and cafes in Chinese that we don’t need them.
We have also developed some simple visuals for people to keep on their phones and show to whoever they are purchasing stuff from.
