PETALING JAYA: A single takeaway meal with beverage can use seven different types of plastics – the plastic bag, plastic container, plastic cutlery, plastic cup, plastic cup holder, plastic cap and a plastic straw.
The problem is especially bad in rural areas and the focus on promoting a zero plastic-waste community should shift to the rurals, says an environmental expert.
Environment and Waste Management specialist Dr Theng Lee Chong said the lack of focus coupled with low awareness among citizens in rural areas are the cause of “plastic leakage” to the sea.
“In rural areas, you can still see plastic bottles lying around in ditches,” he said.
“They are then washed down to rivers and into the sea and no one is collecting them to recycle.
“There are no logistics to recycle in rural areas where a recycling system can be normalised. It is business-driven,” he explained.
Theng added that when he did research in the rural districts of Johor, one takeaway meal used at least seven different types of plastics.
“In urban areas, the local councils make an effort towards reducing plastic wastes.
“Most restaurants also provide biodegradable (packaging) or paper bags with paper straws,” he said.
Theng noted that even though banning plastic straws was a good way to reduce plastic use, the authorities should also pay attention to regulate the alternatives.
He also shared his concerns over paper straws.
“When these items are imported on the cheap, we are not sure of the materials used, such as the colouring or bleaching agents which can be hazardous.”
Commenting on the increased use of plastics during the MCO, Theng said that plastic straws are back in use now that people are allowed to dine-in.
In fact, plastic waste due to online ordering increased compared to pre-pandemic days.
Theng urged the government to implement a packaging law for Malaysian manufacturers to regulate the production of plastics.
“In Japan, manufacturers have to declare the percentage of plastic and recyclable materials in their containers. We need something like that,” he said.
