SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) which is part of the global movement of Break Free from Plastic, has called on Penang to ban single plastic bag use (SUP) among hawkers and petty traders if the state is serious about eradicating the use of the recognised pollutant.
SAM's honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam said that while the nongovernmental organisation is grateful for Penang's no - plastic bag campaign, which is now extended daily among hypermarkets and supermarkets, a broader effort must be in placed to realise the state's goal of becoming a zero-waste destination.
“This must now include extending the ban of SUP among hawkers and petty traders besides the big retailers and franchises, said Mageswari in a text message today.
“Malaysia, like many nations, faces a growing environmental crisis due to the proliferation of plastics. These plastics, often used for mere minutes, persist in the environment for centuries, polluting waterways, harming wildlife, and contributing to global climate change,” she said.
With Malaysia generating significant plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills or in water bodies and finally the ocean, the urgency to address this issue has never been greater, Mageswari said.
"More plastic brings about more pollution."
Penang has been a leader in reducing distribution of free plastic bags. Nevertheless, not all businesses are mandated to comply with the Plastic Bags 2.0 regulation.
As of now this applies to supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets, fast food outlets, convenience stores at petrol stations, chain stores, pharmacies and commercial establishments, Mageswari explained.
Markets, night markets, stalls, hawkers and small traders are exempted from this rule.
"And SAM has observed significant amounts of plastic bags originate from such establishments. We need a more comprehensive law to curb SUP pollution. We need to transition away from SUPs to protect ecosystems and public health."
Earlier, state executive councillor for the environment Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said that Penang will introduce a non-use of plastic bag campaign starting March 1 as part of its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
Sundarajoo said the campaign would kick off with the distribution of free reusable bags to promote their usage and support residents in shifting to more eco-friendly practices.
“We will provide a six-month grace period for enforcement until Aug 31 this year to allow businesses and the public to adapt to the new regulations. Full enforcement will begin on Sept 1.
“For the first three months of the campaign, the Penang Green Council will distribute 100,000 reusable bags to residents, after which they will be available for purchase,” he said after launching the campaign.
Penang was the first state to introduce a no-plastic-bag campaign in 2009, requiring businesses to stop providing complimentary plastic bags to customers with former state executive councillor Datuk Phee Boon Poh accredited for such efforts.
Phee is now an activist fighting against plastic waste pollution here.
The state has also collected up to RM8 million from major retail establishments who charged RM1 for plastic bags from consumers, who requested for it.
Sundarajoo said the campaign is more than a policy -- it’s a call for sustainability, urging residents to reduce plastic waste by using reusable bags and rejecting single-use plastics for a greener future.
“We also want to highlight the role of businesses, especially those mandated to comply with the Plastic Bags 2.0 regulation, namely supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets, fast food outlets, convenience stores at petrol stations, chain stores, pharmacies and commercial establishments,” he said, adding that hawkers and small traders would be exempted from this rule.
Sundarajoo added the state is formulating a comprehensive framework to gradually phase out SUP throughout Penang. - February 17, 2025.
