Many use plastic bags because they are cheap. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
A REPORT in StarMetro titled “Slow start to ‘no plastic bag’ campaign in state” on June 23 revealed that most local governments in Perak were still in the planning phase to implement the policy, which charged 20sen for a plastic bag on Saturdays.
For the sake of protecting the environment and long-term sustainability, the state needs to work together with the local authorities to end the widespread use of these bags.
Currently, plastic bags are frequently used for shopping as they are free and easily available.
Many prefer plastic bags because reusable bags need to be brought along while out shopping and they also need to be cleaned after use.
However, it takes a long time for plastic bags to decompose.
And since plastic bag usage is quite widespread, a lot of rubbish contains plastic bags as well as other things made from plastic.
A lot of plastic waste ends up in landfills and remains there for decades, if not longer.
Cities and towns are marred by the quantity of plastic waste.
Water bodies and marine life are badly affected as well due to irresponsible dumping of plastic waste into drains and rivers.
The charge for buying a plastic bag should be imposed every day.
Instead of charging a meagre 20sen, which doesn’t seem to deter the public, the charge should start at a higher level and increase gradually and continuously over time.
This move will encourage consumers to use their own bags every time when shopping, to avoid paying the ever-increasing cost for plastic bags.
All eateries in Perak should also apply a continuously increasing charge for providing plastic bags for packing food and drinks.
At the same time, an initiative making it compulsory for all eateries to use environment- friendly food packets should be implemented in stages.
The cost should be subsidised to reduce the financial burden of eateries.
A statewide campaign urging society to stop using plastic bags for daily shopping should be conducted through all forms of media.
People should be urged to bring their own food and drink containers from home whenever they wish to pack food from eateries.
As long as plastic bags are still offered at a low charge and are easily available, people will continue to purchase them instead of using their own reusable bags from home.
The only effective way to ensure the success of the campaign is by stopping the production and usage of plastic bags completely.
JV
Ipoh, Perak
