Ban plastic bags, not raise prices, says green group

GEORGE TOWN – The country’s oldest environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has had enough of awareness campaigns and now calls for Penang to impose an outright ban on plastic bags from next year.

SAM research officer S. Mageswary told The Vibes that ample time was given to the state government to educate the masses about the dangers of single use plastic bags and the harm it does to the environment.

Her comments came in the wake of the announcement by state environment committee chairperson Phee Boon Poh that Penang will hike the price for plastic bags to RM1 each from 20 sen.

On Monday, the state also enforces a no plastic bag day for retailers.

The RM1 ruling applies to supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenient stores and other retail outlets.

She said a ban should be enforced throughout the state as there is now high public awareness about the dangers of using plastic bags.

Mageswary, who is also a key coordinator of the Break Free from Plastic global movement, said consumers should now rely on canvas or reusable containers when shopping or buying food.

SAM has also found that those using plastic bags are no longer hypermarkets but dry and night market traders as well as hawkers.

“The authorities need to put a stop to it. In fact, they should be charging RM1 for a plastic bag that their customers use to pack food and perishables.”

However, the move by the state has the support from the Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Sungai Petani and Persatuan Sayang Sungai Petani.

Lawyer S. Raveentharan said there should be a switch by the hypermarkets to use canvas bags instead of plastic ones.

However Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee said the state should postpone the move in view of Covid-19 although the government’s intention is noble.

Phee could not be reached for comments. – The Vibes, October 22, 2020