Phuket Environment | The Phuket News

Sustainably Yours: The importance of Phuket’s mangroves

Sunday 7 August 2022 12:30 PM

Mangrove forests are an overlooked attraction on Phuket. They are not places that you will find most tourists, who generally favour our sunny beaches and raucous nightlife, but with the recent announcement that the forests east of Phuket Town will be developed into an eco-tourist attraction, perhaps that will soon change.

Prize model for sustainability

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 24 July 2022 11:00 AM

The One Phuket Sustainability Fair & Lean On Me Live Fest 2 held at Phuket Boat Lagoon last month was a collaborative sustainability and charity event that helped to raise awareness of people in need and the environment.

Yanui underwater cleanup nets 100kg of trash

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 26 June 2022 11:58 AM

Before the storm weather blew in late this past week, Thai and foreign volunteers held an underwater cleanup at Yanui Beach that netted more than 100kg of trash and marine debris.

Sustainability: Music to our ears

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 26 June 2022 11:00 AM

Last Saturday (June 18) saw One Phuket stage the island’s first Sustainability Fair and second Lean On Me Live Fest at Phuket Boat Lagoon’s White House.

Green Thoughts: Selecting containers for your plants

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 19 June 2022 01:30 PM

Your choice of pots is as crucial as your choice of plants. Any professional horticulturalist will tell you that flexible black grow-bags are the cheapest plant containers available. They are light, durable and easy on the pocket. Substantial ones can even be buried in the soil wherein small palms and large shrubs can be contained and yet still draw on the surrounding nutrients and moisture.

Sustainably Yours: The Phuket Swapshop

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 12 June 2022 11:00 AM

You loved that new shirt when you tried it on in the store, but when you got it home, it was too long or too short, too bright or too drab, too snug or too loose. You wore it once or twice and then tossed it into the back of your closet of regrets.

Sustainably Yours: Make money and be more sustainable

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 15 May 2022 02:00 PM

In 2019 Phuket saw around 9 million passenger arrivals, in 2021 we saw just over 900,000, a 90% decline. Most experts predict that the industry won’t recover until 2024 or later.  The pandemic has changed the world, and as we come out of Test & Go and look toward the future, we should consider whether we want to return to business as usual or change how things are done.  B-Corporations  The term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was coined by Economist Howard Bowen in his book Social Responsibilities of the Businessmen’, published in 1953. He defined it as, “The obligations of businessmen to pursue those policies which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society.” The main problem with CSR is that it lacks transparency and accountability.  In 2006 a new iteration of CSR was introduced called B-Corporations with the lofty goal of transforming the economic system by changing how business is done. Instead of focusing on the single-minded drive for profits, a B-Corporation has a triple bottom line that also considers their environmental impact and the community they serve. The main difference to CSR is that to become a B-Corporation there is a lengthy certification process and the businesses are regularly audited to ensure they are meeting standards. Some well-known businesses that are B-Corporations include The Body Shop, AllBirds, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Patagonia. They are just a few of the 4,850 B-Corporations located in 79 countries in over 150 different industries.  While most local businesses are not B-Corporations there are still things that they can do to lower their environmental impact, while saving money. 1. Offer vegan/vegetarian options on your menu ‒ A single burger uses the same amount of water as two months of showering. Studies show that 50% of Americans are trying to reduce their meat consumption and over one-third of Europeans are, too. Having plant-based menu options just makes good business sense. If you are not sure where to start, local chef Jamie Raftery, who was trained at Michelin-star restaurants, shares some of his plant-based recipes on his website Holistic Chef Academy.   2. Use soapnuts ‒ These are grown sustainably, inexpensive to buy, don’t use palm oils (which cause deforestation), are hypo-allergenic, don’t leave a perfumey smell and are actually berries, so they are okay for people with nut allergies. You can use them to do your laundry, for cleansers, hand soaps, shaving cream, dishwasher soap, body wash and shampoo. Not only will you cut down on your use of palm oil, but you will also reduce plastic waste while supporting the Indigenous Hill Tribes in Northern Thailand that grow them. 3. Compost and recycle ‒ Even during the pandemic Phuket’s waste collection has been operating beyond capacity. Overall the waste has gone down, but the lack of visitors has been made up for this with an increase in plastic trash from takeaway containers, plastic masks and hand sanitiser bottles. Studies show that between 40-60% of household waste is organic and almost 20% is recyclable. When you combine the two you can reduce your household waste by as much as 80%. Composting also reduces the need for pesticides and fertilisers and reduces water usage. 4. Use drip irrigation ‒ Although it may not seem like it in the middle of the rainy season, Thailand is becoming increasingly water-stressed because of increasing temperatures, drier dry seasons and the fact that it is one of the world’s largest rice producers. Drip irrigation is a strategy that reduces water use by about 70% by watering only the roots. Although commercial systems are available you can also DIY it.  5. Collect rainwater ‒ This can range from a simple barrel to a more complex system that integrates with your irrigation and plumbing. This water can be used to flush toilets or water the garden. Not only does this help to alleviate the burden on groundwater, but it can also reduce the amount of pollution from pesticides, fertilisers and car oil that is washed into the ocean by stormwater runoff.      6. Give out branded water bottles ‒ Almost 1 million plastic bottles are used per minute, which translates to about 62 bottles for every person on the planet per year. Plastic bottles are a scourge on our beaches. A simple way to ensure that your guests are not part of the problem is to give them a branded reusable water bottle. You can then make filtered water freely available. 7. Switch to LED lightbulbs ‒ These last more than twice as long as fluorescent lights, 25 times longer than regular incandescent ones and use 90% less energy than convention bulbs. LED light bulbs are also safer as they emit very little heat and are cool to the touch. 8. Plant flowers and plants that are pollinator-friendly ‒ One-third of our food supply is pollinated by bees, bats and birds. Most plants rely on animal pollinators for reproduction, but about 30% of plant-pollinator networks have been completely lost, which translates to the disappearance of food, bees, plants, trees and a loss of biodiversity. The main culprits driving declines are habitat loss and pesticide use. One way you can help is to plant pollinator-friendly native plant species.  9. Change your gas burners to electric ‒ Gas stoves are not well-vented and can exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma, COVID or even allergies. They also leak methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than CO2, even when turned off. These can be replaced with inexpensive induction burners and you will save on your monthly gas bill. 10. Check your tyre pressure every two weeks ‒ Your tires will naturally deflate by 2-3 PSI per month. For every 10% decrease in tyre pressure your fuel consumption increases by 2%. Multiply this across several vehicles driving every day and it can add up. Improperly inflated tires also affect your ability to brake and wear out your tyres and engine more quickly. Palmer Owyoung is an environmental activist working with the Kamala Green Club and the Global Sustainability Hub.  

Phuket marks National Tree Day

Phuket Life / Environment

Friday 13 May 2022 05:13 PM

PHUKET: Phuket officials today (May 13) marked National Tree Day with the distribution of more nearly 2,000 trees to be planted in the protected forest area on Khao Toh Sae in Rassada.

PWA plants trees to honour King Rama IX

Phuket Life / Environment

Wednesday 11 May 2022 10:20 AM

PHUKET: The Phuket office of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) organised a tree-planting activity at its office in Kathu to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and inspire love of nature among staff and broader community.

Green Thoughts: Top pot plants for shade

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 17 April 2022 02:00 PM

It’s a big generalisation, but on balance, the majority of potted plants available in the tropics enjoy a degree of shade. I am thinking of varieties of nephrolepis such as Boston, maidenhair, or bird’s nest ferns, variegated dieffenbachias, aglaonemas ‒ now available in striking reddish shades ‒ philodendrons, purple and green dracaenas, hymenocallis or spider lilies, spathiphyllum, the vast array of bromeliads. The list goes on. Go to any garden centre in Phuket and these fellows will be cosseted in a shaded area, usually under green netting, along with phalaenopsis orchids and an abundant supply of mosquitoes.

Phuket Rajabhat University launches ‘Andaman Biodiversity’ learning centre

Phuket Life / Environment

Monday 4 April 2022 10:41 AM

PHUKET: Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) has opened its ‘Andaman Biodiversity Museum’ learning centre, which is open to the public.

Green Thoughts: Army of Ants ‒ Low Life among the Formicidae

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 3 April 2022 02:00 PM

Last night I was woken by a burning sensation. It started on my right bicep, then I felt another irritation on my forearm. Finally, my wrist. Mystified, I went into the bathroom, where something dropped off me and fell to the tiled floor. The culprit was a large red ant. I squashed it unceremoniously and watched as a microscopic fellow ant, maybe one millimetre long and a hundredth its size, danced round the now lifeless corpse and – lo and behold – began carrying and dragging it to some unknown destination.

Green Thoughts: Top picks for container gardening

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 13 March 2022 02:00 PM

Why bother with potted plants if you have a proper garden? After all, container plants are labour-intensive, need frequent watering, and will eventually get root-bound and need repotting. True, true and true again. But what if you live in a condominium with a cramped balcony, or rent a shophouse with only a concrete parking space at the front of the property? Why not put plants in pots and create a mini-garden. Hey presto… Lots of Thais do.

Plastic bottles top 1.4mn items of beach litter collected

Phuket Life / Environment

Monday 7 March 2022 05:42 PM

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has reported that 1,427,831 pieces of beach litter were collected throughout 2021, with plastic bottles the most common item of trash found on the sands.

Sustainably Yours: Building a Sustainable Phuket - Part 2

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 27 February 2022 02:00 PM

Last week, in Part 1 of this special report, we talked about improving environmental education, public transportation, creating walking spaces and adding wind and solar to build a sustainable Phuket. This week, we talk about fixing the food system, improving waste management and job skills.

Sustainably Yours: Building a Sustainable Phuket

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 20 February 2022 02:00 PM

As we enter the third year of COVID-19, cities around the world are starting to reinvent themselves, looking for ways to reduce their waste, lower their carbon footprints and become more sustainable. We should take some of these lessons and apply them to Phuket, because the current system of mass tourism, on an island with limited resources, is not a sustainable business model.

Year of the disappearing tiger

Phuket Life / Environment

Saturday 5 February 2022 02:00 PM

The 2022 Lunar New Year, which began on Tuesday (Feb 1), marked new beginnings for many citizens throughout the Asean region, celebrating this holiday as we welcome the Year of the Tiger.

‘Licence to Clean’ launched to keep Phuket beaches clear of trash

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 30 January 2022 02:00 PM

Last Sunday (Jan 23) marked a historic day for Phuket, when Thai non-profit organisation Oceans For All launched its eco-friendly catamaran ‒ itself made from 100% recyclable materials ‒ to rid Phuket’s shores of plastic.

Sustainably Yours: Plant-based menus good for business

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 16 January 2022 02:00 PM

It’s that time again for New Year’s resolutions, promises that we make ourselves to change the way we live our lives. According to a survey from 2021, the number one resolution is to exercise more, number two was to lose weight, and number four was to eat healthier.

Good Vibrations: The Joy of Gardens – and Gardening

Phuket Life / Environment

Sunday 9 January 2022 01:30 PM

If you write about gardening for a publication, you will encounter two different kinds of readers. A few, and fortunately they are few and far between, ask for help, often with no please or thank you, and lack the courtesy to write back after you have spent time in addressing their queries. Fortunately, the commonality of gardeners is a happy one, and the majority of correspondents are genuine enthusiasts, generous in their response to any advice. They reinforce my conviction that gardening is a beneficial and life-enhancing activity, not only for our floral charges , but also for those of us who cherish them.

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