PENANG will enforce a full ban on single-use plastic bags from Sept 1, with Aug 31 set as the final day they can be used, said state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo
The policy, which was announced on Aug 31 last year, is currently in the awareness phase and will be enforced in the coming months.
"When this comes into effect, we will be the first state in the country to go 100% non-usage of such bags," he said.
He said the state has also launched its Penang Green Hotel Excellence Programme (PGHEP) to ensure every hospitality property advocates sustainable hospitality standards with limited use of plastics and reducing wastage.
He, along with another state executive councillor, Wong Hon Wai, was invited to launch the programme aimed at conservation.
Besides hotels, Sundarajoo said that every new establishment, including properties are required to incorporate green elements to operate.
This is a vital vision set by Penang in the face of rising temperatures and humidity.
Under the auspicious stewardship of the Penang Green Council (PGC), the PGHEP is aimed at guiding hotels to become role models in the sustainability age.
There are around 1,700 registered hotels in Penang, of which Wong said 47 are rated as four and five-star hospitality properties.
Wong suggested to the relevant authorities to employ green elements when assessing the star rating of hospitality properties, particularly those in the top class.
He said that Penang registered a record high of over eight million airport passenger arrivals last year, signalling that the state is now recovered from the traumatic Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, which saw tourism come to a standstill.
PGC chief executive officer Josephine Tan said while the programme is meant to recognise industry players, its broader objective is also to ensure sustainability and to serve as a guide in assisting the state in its greenery agenda.
“As of now, we have had a total of 17 hotels that have registered to participate in this programme, a positive sign of interest as every small thing starts small, somewhere.
“Our target for this year is 40 hotels, and we are optimistic that Penang hoteliers will be encouraged with the plan we have under this programme, and with their support, we are sure to move forward positively towards achieving our goal of a sustainable state with a clear and realistic green agenda,” she said.
For interested hotels, the Penang Green Hotel Assessment is now open for registration until June.
Audits will be conducted, with results expected within one month after the site visit.
Audit and application fees range from RM1,000 to RM2,500, depending on the total number of hotel rooms, with further details available on PGC’s official website.
Participating hotels need to be ranked 3-star and above to be eligible to join this programme. - April 2, 2026.
