Handful of harm: Selangor introduced the ‘No Plastic Bag Day’ back in 2010, which banned free plastic bags on Saturdays.
KLANG: It began way back in 2010 but till today, the views on Selangor’s “No Plastic Bag Day” move remains mixed.
Real estate agent SK Ong admitted that he does not like the policy but he is supportive of it because of his concern for the environment.
“It is an inconvenience as I have to fork out money to buy plastic bags for my purchases whenever I forget to bring my own recycled bag.
“But I am slowly getting used to it,” he said.
The state had previously started the “No Plastic Bag Day” back in 2010, which banned free plastic bags on Saturdays at most supermarkets, mini markets and business premises.
It is now planning to extend the one-day ban to three days.
Retiree K. Jaya said the practice of selling plastic bags at 20sen each to those who did not bring their own bags must be stopped in tandem with the prohibition on plastic bag usage.
“It does not serve any purpose when you tell people they cannot use plastic bags but yet sell it to them.
“If they buy five bags, it will only cost them RM1 which is no big deal to most people,’’ he said.
Lawyer Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif is also of the view that the ban had not been as effective as it should have been.
“The aim is to make consumers feel more responsible by bringing their own bags.
“But this goal has not been achieved as consumers can still buy alternative bags from shopping outlets,’’ she said.
But for mother of four Norliza Ismail, it has become a habit for her to bring her own bags when out shopping.
“If you don’t bring your own bags, you will have to buy their jumbo bags at the checkout counters.
“So, I have grocery bags in my car all the time now,’’ she said.
She said some shopping outlets in her neighbourhood had stopped giving out plastic bags for almost two years now.
One of the shops near her home gives out a type of plastic bag that disintegrates within two weeks, she said.
She said that her family would reuse these biodegradable bags as garbage bags.
“Maybe more shopping outlets should use such (eco-friendly) bags,’’ she added.
