Grace period to stop use of plastic

Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat.

JOHOR BARU: Traders and consumers in Johor will be given a one-year period starting from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2018, to switch to using biodegradable products instead of plastic bags and polystyrene food containers.

State health, environment, education and information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the one-year “grace period” was to educate and familiarise them with the move.

He said next year would be an educational enforcement year before the ban on conventional plastic materials and polystyrene food containers is enforced on Jan 1, 2019.

“We believe one year is enough for traders and consumers in Johor to start switching to biodegradable materials,” said Ayub.

He said local councils, the state Economic Planning Unit, Department of Environment, Health Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry would be involved in the educational enforcement exercise.

Ayub said they would brief and educate traders, consumers and industry players to have a better understanding on the benefits of using biodegradable products.

“Related campaigns, activities and programmes will be held in the state for the next 12 months to create better awareness on the use of biodegradable products among the people,” he added.

Ayub said the first briefing would take place during the upgrading of Segamat District Council to a municipality on Dec 31.

He said briefing in other districts – Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Kulai, Pontian, Muar, Batu Pahat, Pontian, Mersing and Kota Tinggi would be held in January, February and March next year.