Eco-Friendly Yangon: An Economically, Environmentally, & Socially Responsibility Setting

Eco-Friendly Yangon: An Economically, Environmentally, & Socially Responsibility Setting

Sustainability is a growing concern across the globe, and Myanmar is without exception. With the rising amount of tourism, budding businesses are actively backing this new-found theme of sustainability. There are considerable expansions taking place to create an eco-friendly, economically, environmentally, and socially responsible, setting. Importantly, there is still a good deal of contributions to be made by visitors.

While visiting the ever-developing city of Yangon, I was lucky to have three friends who currently reside there. Through my unofficial tour guides, I’ve gotten to experience firsthand, what is being done to promote such actions. It truly begins with community outreach projects that lead to interactions from local businesses.

Supporters and Their Contributions

The hospitality industry has set the stage in my search eco-friendly outputs in Myanmar. 57 Below, a catering company with 4 well-known restaurants, are doing their part and doing it justly. At Union Bar and Grill, (located at 42 Strand Road Botahtaung, Yangon) there is no shortage of creativity in their commitment to aid in improving sustainability. Pioneer mixologist, and globally renowned Bar and Spirit Ambassador Jen Queen, has taken the hospitality scene by storm. With an innovated designed, she has developed a groundbreaking no waste cocktail menu, appropriately named “Get Trashed”. There are 5 wildly clever recipes using the method of upcycling with ingredients, that would otherwise be discarded. For those of you who don’t know the bar business can be quite wasteful; they have found a way to reduce waste, thus supporting a healthier Planet.

Upcycling is being used by business all over the world. This is the process by which items that would normally be considered trash are reused to make different, but useful products. For example, Union Bar and Grill dehydrates unused limes, lemons, oranges, pineapple, and other fruits. Thus, creating delicious fruit chips to go in a uniquely crafted cocktail. Fresh squeezed coconut milk provides coconut meat to transform into edible chips as well. My personal favorite cocktail was the delicious and refreshing “Hittin’ Skins”, with white rum, coriander stem sherbet, mango pulp tepache, and a dehydrated pineapple chip.

This process is being utilized at each of their locations as well. Additional contribution stents from a different section of their cocktail menu called, “Pour Your Heart Out”. For each of these poured, they will donate 1,500 MMK (about 1 USD every drink) to a local charity of choice. In the last quarter (3 months in 2018) 472.72 USD was donated to Alley Garden Project at Doh Eain. This specific project was developed to create unpolluted, restored spaces, out of otherwise hazardous alleyways. These areas are now safe localities whereabouts communities can gather, and children can play safely. Find out more about this and how you can get involved here. Also, 57 Below has stopped using plastic straws all together; its bamboo or metal.

Hla Day is a sustainable retailer that, “along with design and business training supports the livelihoods of Myanmar artisans, many of whom are struggling to overcome disability, exclusion and poverty” (-About). This statement is straight from their website’s About Us. I suggest taking a look.

After visiting this store I was impressed, to say the least. As you walk up the curved wooden steps, the walls are lined with art from talent locals. Also, I was told that during the rainy season, it’s likely to see a sleeping street dog on the stairs, providing him with protection from the weather.

You can find gorgeous hand clutches made from old tires, beautiful lasting jewelry, vases and decorative pots, made from paper. Wallets, assorted cases, laptop covers and even notebooks (which also have recycled paper inside) made from paper and recycled plastic. Furthermore, with over 135 different ethnic groups residing in Myanmar, there is a line of traditional, unique patterns found in the form of clothing, fashion accessories, home accessories and a great deal more.

Another noteworthy find comes from Chu Chu Design, a young Myanmar start-up that transforms rubbish into eco-friendly handicrafts. They also have created 30+ jobs and remove an average of 20 kilos of trash a month from landfills. Originating on the outskirts of Yangon, in Dala Township, their items are being sold in shops around Yangon. Most of the sales are tourist and expats, but the abundance of products showing up in so many the of local shops is having a positive effect on locals. They even have a program for locals in the Dala village to participate. They’re welcome to bring in trash from the streets and get paid for them. The benefits of this are 4-fold. It promotes recycling, daily waste conscientiousness, work ethic, and community involvement.

What You as Tourist Can Do

First, you have to get there. As a tourist, do your research, Myanmar has many beautiful and safe, places to visit. There is an abundance of diverse culture to see firsthand. The streets are filled with food vendors, clothing stores, restaurants, all that could benefit from tourism. Go with an open mind and be conscientious of local cultural norms.

When I traveled to Yangon, I was already interested in which markets of sustainability I would come across. As you can see from the latter, I have discovered some really unique contributors. However, when looking for positives, you’re bound to find adverse conditions. One thing I noticed was the number of plastic bags one could acquire in just one day. Trust me, you will be offered a bag for every single item you purchase. They even have special bags for holding cups.

There are a couple easy solutions here though. First, when you’re shopping, bring a shopping bag from home. My friends already had a few so while we shopped, we brought them along. If you need one, they can be purchased for cheap at most groceries, and in any luggage or bag store. Yes, there are many of these types of stores, so no worries. I also have a great pocketless shoulder bag that doubles as my purse, it’s great for unexpected shopping. Secondly, don’t accept the specialized bags for your cups and turn down bags for single items. If you can carry it, then simple, act as if.

The water in Yangon is not yet safe for drinking (2018). So obviously there is an abundance of water bottles being used. Reducing the use of plastic bottles is by far the easiest way to help. The most efficient way to do this is to buy a filtered water bottle. I use LifeStraw, it has been well tested by me, and I have yet to get ill from drinking tap water in Asia. (Legally, I need to say, the same result may not be the same for everyone.)

You may be shocked to learn just how many bottles can be reduced and how much money you can save, by investing this one filtered water bottle. I can easily fill mine up 4 or more times a day. That’s a minimum of 6 plastic bottles a day. 6 a day for 4 weeks is 186 bottles. That is only the fraction of what is being deposited in landfills every day. You can join in and help makes a difference. I even use mine when I’m not traveling.

Now, think of buying 186 water bottles (equaling roughly 123 USD in Myanmar alone) versus the price for the Filtered bottle. I paid 35 USD on Amazon. I also spent 4 weeks in Thailand. This is actual proof that overuse of plastic can be prevented, I promise the goal is obtainable and you can help. Get yourself some sort of reusable filtered water bottle.

As for us, travelers venture to the newly open borders of Myanmar, we must take responsibility for supporting the health and growth of this nation. In this time where international travel is a growing force, we rarely get a chance to start on, the untouched. Myanmar is fairly new to tourism and can we be the catalyst for what’s to come. Be conscientious, open minded, and adopt an eco-friendly mind frame.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this, please take a moment and check out my travel blog.

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Images provided by Pixbay.com
Hla Day Images Provided by Nikki B.