KUALA LUMPUR: A total 432 warning notices and 1,156 compounds were issued against traders in the Federal Territories last year for not complying with the use of biodegradable products.
Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said inspections at 2,707 business premises in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan also saw action taken against traders who did not comply with the ban on straws.
“In order to promote the use of biodegradable products, communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) programmes should continue to be implemented to enhance public awareness and understanding, as well as the public’s cooperation with the business community.
“In addition, we encourage people to bring their own bags when shopping, bring their own containers for packing food, and use alternative drinking straws, such as reusable straws, paper straws and biodegradable straws,“ he said.
He was speaking to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Biodegradable Fun Run 2020 programme, as well as the launch of the fly the Federal Territories’ flag campaign conjunction with the 2020 Federal Territories Day at Dataran Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) today.
The inaugural programme, joined by 3,500 participants, was aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of environmental protection through the use of biodegradable products, especially in the Federal Territories.
There was also an exhibition of biodegradable products such as straws, food containers, spoons, forks and plastic bags made from decomposable and environmentally friendly materials such as sugarcane, corn and grass.
Meanwhile, one of the participants in today’s run, Sunita Zainul Abidin, 51, said all Malaysians should attend such healthy activities.
“It is also a sign of our support for the use of biodegradable products in the country, as we know that products like plastic bags take about 100 years to decompose and can cause environmental pollution,“ she said. - Bernama
