Letters - Say no to plastic bags

AS population increases, so does consumption and disposal. It is worth noting that in just one decade, from 2003 to 2013, Malaysia's municipal solid waste recorded an increase of 91%. Certainly, waste management initiatives are topics of heightened discussion.
One classic example is the excessive use of plastic bags. We must ask ourselves if it is worthwhile to adopt a culture where we compromise on the environment to enjoy a short-term convenience?
The Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) commends the federal government and some state governments for having policies to curb excessive usage of plastic bags. While the results are far from ideal, any start is a commendable move. The federal government has dedicated Saturdays as a no plastic day, while Penang has a no plastic bag policy which makes it compulsory for consumers to buy one if they intend to use it.
The Malacca government has directed retailers to use biodegradable bags.
While the MCM welcomes this positive step, we call on the federal government to ensure uniformity of policies nationwide. The aim of this initiative is to reduce plastic bags from going into the landfills. Substituting it with biodegradable bags to a certain extent defeats its intended purpose.
The MCM calls on the federal government to:
» Declare every day a no plastic day nationwide, working in collaboration with state and local governments, as well as retailers. This will ensure uniformity of policy and its application. Penalty must be imposed on those who flaunt regulations.
» Allow the public to buy plastic bags, but set a timeframe to discontinue this practice.
» Work closely with all stakeholders on environmental protection educational programmes, emphasising on anti-litter campaigns while encouraging consumers to opt for re-usable bags.
On the other hand, the MCM calls on all consumers to discharge our individual role and responsibility by embracing environmental friendly practices in our daily lives. If we change our attitude we will be able to witness tangible results. Protecting the environment is not solely the responsibility of the government and positive results can never be achieved if we do not work collaboratively.
Change must begin with us!
Darshan Singh Dhillon
President
Malaysia Consumers Movement