Saturday, July 21, 2007

The Weight of the World's Travellers

Have you ever wondered what happens to all those items that are confiscated from you at the airport before you get on board because they are unsuitable to be carried? Well if you live in Thailand or have flown through Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. The Thai authorities used a motorised road roller to crush five tonnes of toiletries confiscated from passengers unfamiliar with the new rules forbidding them to take liquids or gels into aircraft cabins. Toothpaste, liquid soap, drinking water, soft drinks, cosmetics, deodorants, lotions and protective creams were among the items ground into the dirt.

Local papers are asking, "Why they not have been put to better use? There are many charities and foundations for the needy which could find a far better use for the remaining 52,000 tonnes of consumer items awaiting disposal. To put that into perspective that's around the same weight of stuff as 300 Boeing 747s.

No comments: