GEORGE TOWN – All shops and hypermarkets in Penang will charge RM1 per plastic bag on certain days beginning January 1 next year, a whopping 80 sen hike that demonstrates the state’s commitment to reducing waste and going green.
Environment exco Phee Boon Poh told the state assembly that the Penang government is going ahead with the move despite resistance from some quarters.
The fee collected will be channelled back to the state’s two city councils, to be used to improve their services.
“The fee will only be imposed on customers who buy the plastic bags from Thursdays to Sundays,” said Phee.
Currently, Penang folk pay 20 sen per plastic bag on weekdays except for Mondays, when retailers do not offer the bags.
An awareness campaign on the initiative will begin next month, with the public to be educated on the impact of single-use plastics on the environment and human health.
However, lawyer S. Raveentharan said Penang is being “penny-wise, pound-foolish”, pointing out that the emphasis should be on using easily recyclable paper bags instead.
“The fee of RM1 is quite steep in the age of Covid-19 and a bleak economic outlook.”
Penaga assemblyman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah urged the state government to review its decision, saying there is no need to add to people’s financial burden.
“There are uncles and aunties who genuinely need plastic bags. We need to help them ease their dependence on (such bags).”
There have been reports of Penang residents complaining of air pollution and stench coming from plastic-processing plants in the state. – The Vibes, October 17, 2020
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