Every year, on World Environment Day, we’re encouraged to do more for the planet. And this year’s theme? “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
But here’s the thing: long before “plastic-free” became a buzzword or an eco-movement, our local markets and street vendors were already living it. Without trying to be trendy. Without even thinking about it.
If you’ve ever visited a traditional market in Asia — whether in Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines — you know what I’m talking about.
Walk through a morning market (like a Thai talad nat), and you’ll see something beautiful:
Fresh vegetables bundled with banana leaves. Spices sold loose in little paper packets. Meat handed over in newspaper wrap or your own container.
Back then — and even now in many places — people brought their own baskets or tiffin boxes. There were no plastic-wrapped onions or shrink-wrapped herbs. Just fresh food, friendly vendors, and smart, simple packaging that didn’t end up in landfills.
It wasn’t called “zero-waste.”
It was just how things were done.
Now think about your favorite street food.
From sticky rice in banana leaves to grilled chicken on bamboo skewers — street food in Asia has always been low-waste without making a big deal out of it.
Many stalls serve drinks in glass bottles you return. Snacks are wrapped in leaves, not plastic bags. And reusable dishes are washed and used again and again.
We didn’t need a sustainability campaign to make it happen.
It’s just part of our culture.
Everyday Habits That Still Make a Difference
Even at home, a lot of us grew up with smart habits that naturally reduce waste:
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Keeping empty jars for sauces and spices
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Bringing lunch in a stackable pinto (metal tiffin)
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Refilling oil or soy sauce from the local shop
These aren’t new ideas. They’re just good, old ones we can bring back.
This World Environment Day, maybe we don’t need to search for the next big eco-trend. Maybe we just need to look back.
Our markets, our street vendors, our grandparents — they’ve been showing us how to live simply and sustainably for generations.
So next time you shop at a fresh market or grab street food wrapped in leaves, remember: you’re not just enjoying a meal — you’re part of a tradition that’s kind to the planet.
And maybe that’s the kind of “trend” we need more of.