In 2016, France became the first country in the world to ban plastic cutlery and Morocco has banned plastic bags. Also the European Union requires an 80% reduction in plastic bags by 2019. While countries are promoting plastic-free lifestyle, on the other side of the world, Mongolia has increased its plastic consumption.

According to a study carried out in 2013, Mongolia imports around 55, 9 million plastic bags every year. We should notice here that the number we mentioned doesn’t include unregistered, illegal importation and products that have already packed in with plastics. Since we live in a country with no recycling factories in full operations, we have no choice but disposing garbage by burying it at a landfill site.

In Mongolia there are three landfill sites called Narangiin enger, Ulaan chuluut and Tsgaaan davaa. Our garbage including plastic bags we threw away take 10 to 1000 years to decompose in the soil.

Also as you know, plastic bags are made from oil. That is why it is important to understand that every time we buy or throw away a plastic bag, we are not only leaving the bag to decompose for 1000 years in the soil but also wasting our non-renewable resource.

Considering all the cons plastic has, we should use reusable bags such as tote bags made from cotton or high density polyethylene (HDPE). But, the most important thing to remember is to make sure to use them carefully and a long period of time.