SOME Phuket officials remain uncertain about the wisdom of the plan to charge for plastic bags in retail outlets from next month and would prefer to see greater education and public awareness first.

To begin a ''Green Revolution'' by telling people out shopping that they now have to pay for items they once received for free is to take a bold leap into the unknown.

The vast majority of people on Phuket are unaware of the campaign against plastic bags, yet it begins in less than a month.

''Green'' education will start for many at the checkout counter, when they unexpectedly find they have to pay two baht per plastic bag for the privilege of saving Planet Phuket.

There have been a few billboards, but no radio spots, no television advertising, no publicity in the Thai press and most importantly, no distribution of separate bins for wet and dry rubbish.

These are all elements that have usually been part of ''green'' campaigns in other countries before bans on plastic bags.

Retailers now holding back may be reluctant to join the campaign because of the lack of public understanding and awareness. They may be right.

In Phuketwan's experience lately, on Phuket there has been little promotion of the need to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

We have not seen that slogan displayed prominently anywhere in the Thai language. We haven't seen a lot of it in English, either.

While a top-down marketing campaign is set to swing into action, education and change on environmental issues stand the best chance of success with a bottom-up approach.

This should most sensibly begin in schools, and be followed by the island-wide provision of separate bins for wet and dry rubbish. What are people who are used to throwing out rubbish in plastic bags expected to do now?

Phuketwan would also recommend bussing community groups and students to the Saphan Hin dump to gain a full understanding of the scale of the problem, and the need for change.

Once people understand the need for change, change should come more readily . . . and without needless conflict at the island's checkout counters.

As Vice Governor Treerayut Eamtakul pointed out at a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday, it's not essential to have all retail outlets ban plastic bags to the same deadline.

''This is just the start,'' he said.

At the meeting were representatives from Big C, Ocean, Central Festival, Robinson, Jungceylon, Public Health, the Energy office, the Community Development office, Phuket Provincial PR, and ''Keep Phuket Green'' campaigners.

The efforts being made on Phuket deserve widespread public support. The problem is, the reasons why the public need to support a greener Phuket have yet to be properly explained to them.

As a result, we expect there will be considerable delays at the checkouts in stores throughout Phuket from the middle of next month.

Staff will be attempting to explain how shoppers are helping to save Phuket by paying for the plastic bags that they once got for free. We suspect that in some cases, this may take a little time.

''Keep Phuket Green'' is a worthwhile campaign that should be beginning right now in Phuket's schools, the best venues for winning real grassroots support.

''Give more information,'' Khun Treerayut told yesterday's gathering. We couldn't agree more.

To that end, here's today's update from the no-plastic bags campaign:

KEEP PHUKET GREEN
Saturday February 13, Sunday February 14

We had a good meeting yesterday with the Vice Governor arranging the ''Green Day'' on February 14 which will be hosted by the Governor.

It will be a two, possibly three-day event starting on Saturday Feb 13 opposite Starbucks in CENTRAL FESTIVAL. There will be around 80 displays, highlighting Eco Phuket, Green products, Green companies, Government initiatives, local university and school sustainability projects, plus games for the family.

Darasamuth school will put on a Tommy The Turtle play, highlighting how plastic bags end up in Turtles tummies. There will be a series of talks on such topics as Phukets waste crisis, the islands sustainability and marine responsibility in Protecting the Andaman region and we look forward to displays from all the retailers is showcasing their Bio-D products, reusable bags etc.

MOU
We have 95 percent of major retailers signed MOUs to start charging for plastic bags, and await 7/11, Tesco Lotus and Carrefour to join the campaign.

Carrefour have said that they will join if Tesco Lotus sign up. We have attempted to contact Sir Terry Leahy [head of Tesco in Britain] in London to get direct feedback on their position, given his interest in West Sands.

The project won the ''Green developer'' runner up at the recent Thailand Property Awards and promote their green practices. Tesco Lotus should show corporate responsibility by joining and supporting this MOU.

There has been direct contact with CP All Directors in Bangkok, the franchise owner of 7/11 in Thailand and we await feedback. There are very strong advocates within the board to join the campaign and we are both hopefull and positive that 7/11 will be an active supporter of the campaign.

PHUKET WASTE CRISIS
Phuket is in a waste crisis, and this initiative is the first that will bring the concepts of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Be Responsible into the islands residents and publics lives. With over 500 tonnes daily of waste, that will increase to 800 tonnes within 10 years the problem needs addressing quickly.

The Government will initiate waste reduction programs in Government offices, Schools, Hospitals and has an initial PR plan to inform the Island, which is supported by both the Tessaban and Or Bor Jor. Signs have started going up advising the public about the plastic bag strategy.

PLASTIC BAG REVENUES
Retailers may keep the revenues from the bags, or donate to charitable causes as has been initiated by CENTRAL Group in a very positive move. We expect other retailers to follow their lead.

It is important to note also that retailers are being asked to start providing Bio-D bags.

WEBSITE
A website is being launched, KeepPhuketGreen.com that will highlight the waste crisis in Phuket, provide detailed research on similar International campaigns, inform residents on the Government plans and provide information on how to split your waste at home and at work, minimising how much gets thrown out.

CURBSIDE RECYCLING
Over time, as residents split waste we can tackle efficient curb side recycling that is the most effective way to reduce overall volume. In New Zealand for example 95 percent of residents now have access to curb side recycling. Phuket as a small island can do this.

The future of a ''Green'' Phuket pivots on all residents, shop keepers, businesses and tourists taking waste management seriously, and as residents, with a voice, spread the word and let others know and importantly walk the walk.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and act Responsibly