By Mike Puia
Gizo
MUNDA, another big township in the Western province, is leading the way in the province’s plan to ban plastic as of July.
Most market venders in Munda are selling baskets for shopping that are weaved using coconut leaves.
At present, the use of plastic for shopping in shops and in markets is very high in the province. Apart from Asian shops, locals also buy plastics and re-sell them in small retail stores and in markets.
With a ban on plastic now coming up in the province, some people have commended the initiative as well as the practice done by Munda market vendors.
Perry, a Munda resident, told Island Sun Gizo that a ban will not be a surprise for their vendors.
He said the use of shopping baskets produced using tree leaves is good as they are environment friendly.
The young Munda resident said the ban will be an additional benefit for women in Munda who are into traditional basket weaving.
When announcing his province’s plastic ban plan, Premier Wayne Maepioh said his administration is aggressively pursuing it.
Maepioh said his administration is conscious about the environment of the province therefore the need to impose such restriction.
He said the plastic-free campaign has now reached its phase two for implementation.
The ban will cover shopping bags in markets and shops and ice-block plastics.
Maepioh also noted the ban would give the women of the province a lucrative business opportunity to tap into.
Munda vendors appear to have been enjoying home-basket weaving for shopping purpose.
