Li Zhen: If every single one of us stopped using plastic for just a week, imagine the amount of plastic waste we could save.
IT was announced recently that the use of plastic bags across all businesses nationwide would be phased out by 2025. Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said in May that the “No Plastic Bag” campaign, which had begun gradually in stores with fixed locations such as supermarkets, would be extended to other business premises like roadside stalls.
I was ecstatic to read about the plan to reduce plastic use, but I was also exasperated with how long it had taken for the issue to be tackled.
For some years now, my family has practised bringing our own shopping bags. Whenever we plan to have takeaway food, we would bring our own tiffin carriers or containers. But it doesn’t always run like clockwork. At times, I have to resort to using a plastic bag but I make a conscious effort to keep it for future use so it doesn’t go to waste.
I’ll admit, lugging around multiple bags and bulky containers can be inconvenient. If I need to buy food for my whole family, planning in advance and searching for containers big enough to fit everything can be a pain.
Although it is common to see people bringing their own shopping bags, this practice is still not as normalised as we’d like to think.
Sometimes, I stick out like a sore thumb with my own container or bag, especially when I’m out with friends. I worry that the people around me would find me weird for my insistence on going plastic-free.
Based on my observation, the No Plastic Bag campaign is not strictly enforced in most places in Selangor, which became one of the first few states in the country to charge customers for the use of plastic bags in 2017.
Today, many businesses here still offer plastic bags, with customers paying 20 sen per piece if they had forgotten to bring along their own bags.
This in turn gives us the option of buying a plastic bag, instead of making it a point to carry our reusable bags, because it’s more convenient to just pay 20 sen than planning ahead to bring our bags or containers.
While I wholeheartedly support the ban on plastic bags to be implemented as soon as possible, the stark truth remains: plastic is still deeply integrated in our lives.
From the moment the No Plastic Bag campaign begun, it should’ve been continuously enforced in phases. Passing laws and raising awareness are just the first steps.
Action – fast and drastic – needs to be taken. Clear guidelines, stronger enforcement, stricter penalties, and support or training for small businesses that rely heavily on plastic are ways to ensure our country can achieve its plastic-free aim as soon as possible.
Aside from government initiatives, what also matters is for us, the public, to take collective action in our daily choices. Despite the rising awareness, many of us are still impassive. Compounding the situation was Covid-19, which increased our reliance on plastic. The pandemic brought with it the rise of online services, which use plastic packaging, not to mention single-use products for sanitary purposes.
Disposing of our plastic “responsibly”, or recycling, has not brought desired results either.
As plastic products usually come with a mix of other materials, they are unrecyclable. Most end up in landfills, incinerators or worse, our waters.
In truth, it doesn’t require a lot of effort to reduce our plastic use. Here are a few ways we can do our part:
> Keep a few reusable bags (or food containers and cutlery) in our cars or handbags for unexpected shopping trips;
> Shop physically, instead of online, to reduce unnecessary packaging;
> Reuse plastic bags in markets that allow you to pick your own vegetables and fruits;
> Eat in restaurants and avoid takeaways; and> Spread awareness and normalise going plastic-free.
Individual action may not account for much but together, we can make a change. If every single one of us stopped using plastic for just a week, imagine the amount of plastic waste we could save.
In this capitalist era, the market follows the demand. If the demand for plastic reduces, businesses will naturally follow.
Trying to do more for the environment should be everyone’s responsibility. After all, at the end of the day, no matter what our socio-economic background is, we need to make sure we have a safe home to return to, and the home is called planet Earth.
Li Zhen, 19, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. To join Star-NiE’s online youth community, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.
1. How often do you use plastic bags in a week, and what do you use them for? Think of alternatives to replace the plastic bags. Do you think you would be able to use these alternatives for at least a week? Put yourself to the test and jot down your experience in a journal.
2. How would you persuade a friend to stop using plastic bags for shopping? Role-play the conversation with an activity partner.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
