KUDOS FOR MALAYSIA'S NO PLASTIC BAG DAY CAMPAIGN

By Nooralisa Basiron and Siti Syawana Misni

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- As for the average Malaysian, the plastic
bag is indispensable in the shopping routine.

Thus, the plastic bag consumption rate is exceptionally high with the
average consumption per individual amounting to eight per week and there are
concerns over its safe disposal.

Experts say it may take between 100 and 500 years for the plastic bags to
degrade completely and the process emits carbon emissions that contributes to
global warming.

It is estimated that Malaysians on average produce 19,000 tonnes of solid
waste annually with plastic bags and products representing 24 per cent of the
total waste.

ENCOURAGE GREEN TECHNOLOGY

The government has taken numerous efforts to conserve the environment, among
others by developing green technology like stated in the 2010 budget.

Awareness activities like greening the surroundings and environmental
friendly lifestyle are encouraged, and places like Putrajaya and Cyberjaya are
to be benchmarked as Green Technology Towns.

Concurrent with these efforts, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives
and Consumerism has launched the `Use Less Plastic Bags' and `No Plastic Bag
Day' to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Starting Jan 1, 2011, on every Saturday plastic bags are no longer provided
for free in hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores, convenience shops
and selected business premise all over the nation.

For those who still can't do away with their plastic bag habit, they have to
pay 20 sen for each plastic bag.

THE ORIGINS OF NO PLASTIC BAG DAY

The `No Plastic Bag Day' campaign though still new here, it in fact
backdates to 2002.

For example, Ireland has been imposing taxes on plastic bags since 2002 and
this helped to reduce the plastic bag consumption by 90 per cent.

In the United States, San Francisco also followed suit while Los Angeles
effective July 1, 2010 also banned the use of plastic bags and went further by
imposing 25 cents for paper bags to encourage consumers to use their own bags
when shopping.

In Malaysia, Penang started the ball rolling by launching the `No Plastic
Bag Day' campaign on July 6, 2009 in shopping outlets that helped to reduce the
plastic bag consumption by one million within four months.

The campaign was then extended to three days a week, every Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday effective Jan 1, 2010 and effective Jan 1, 2011 Penang achieved
the ultimate 'No More Free Plastic Bags Any Day'.

In the Klang Valley, and other areas in Selangor hypermarkets like
Tesco, Carrefour, Giant, and smaller outlets like Speedmart, Seven Eleven and
others took part in the campaign by not providing free plastic bags every
Saturday.

The 20 sen collected for each plastic bag will be channeled to welfare
bodies or used for environment or consumer programmes.

ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC BAGS

The sincere efforts and unwavering commitment from all parties to the
campaign points to a good start in reducing the use of plastic bags and finding
alternatives that are environmental friendly.

The Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia's
(ENSEARCH) Secretary General, Geetha P. Kumaran noted that the campaign to
reduce the use of plastic bags should be followed up with campaigns promoting
the use bio-degradable plastics.

"The plastic bags cannot be replaced with paper bags that are costly.
Therefore, the fibre bags are the solution," she said through an e-mail to
Bernama.

According to Geetha, still the better solution would be through innovation
and green technology.

GOOD INITIATIVE

Based on a survey, 128 of the 170 respondents gave thumbs up for the
campaign that is considered as a brilliant effort in conserving the environment.

"As consumers we should be aware on why it is important to take care of the
environment by carrying the environmental friendly bags and only use the plastic
bags as a last resort. Consumers too should not ask for plastic bags if they are
only buying a few things," noted Nurul Aini Abdullah, a consumer when asked on
the use of the plastic bags.

A salesman, Jojo, opined that consumers have to be thought the practice of
recycling as it could save the environment from pollution.

On the move by the government to impose 20 sen for each plastic bag, most
consumers are favourable as this move will serve as a reminder for them to bring
their own bags when shopping.

Geetha also opined that the 20 sen figure should be maintained for all
plastic bags in line with the rising prices of food and other necessities.

Nevertheless, there are a few who find the campaign burdensome.

Megat, a trader, was not in favour because consumers would have to face
inconvenience especially when buying food.

"Paper bags can be used but they are not durable like the plastic bags.
Moreover, paper bags are costly and that is why traders prefer to use the
plastic bags," he said.

"Other inhibiting factors are some department stores and supermarkets don't
allow shoppers to carry in their bags to deter shoplifting, and this is a put
off for shoppers," said a shopper who only wanted to be known as Kamaruddin.

A JOINT RESPONSIBILITY

As for the consumers, the general consensus is that in ensuring the
effectiveness of the campaign the government has to continue with the campaign.

Apart from the media publicity, those involved in the campaign have to join
hands with the NGOs to create awareness on the campaign especially in the
outskirts.

Apart from this, the management of shopping centres should also be more firm
and provide wholehearted support for the campaign.

Other effective alternatives to plastic bags should be considered as well in
achieving the campaign goals.

So if you are asked to pay 20 sen for a plastic bag after this, think twice.
Make it a habit of taking a recyclable bag with you during your shopping
routines.