GEORGE TOWN: Hawkers and wet market traders in Penang will be exempt when the single-use plastic bag ban comes into effect on Sept 1 until suitable alternatives are found.
Penang environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said plastic bags would remain the default packaging material for wet and fresh produce, at least for now.
“There was an early attempt to apply the ban across the board for all establishments from Sept 1, but for now, wet markets and hawkers are not part of this ban.
“We need time, as finding them a suitable alternative to single-use plastic is necessary.
“We are now working with plastic manufacturers to find an alternative. If one is found before Sept 1, then a new directive will be imposed,” he said.
It was previously reported that Penang would enforce a ban on single-use plastic bags for selected categories of outlets, including hawkers and wet market traders, starting in September.
“If this really happens, and we are very confident it is going to happen, we will be the first state in the country to go 100% non-usage of such bags,” Sundarajoo had said.
The policy, first announced on Aug 31, 2025, is currently in its awareness phase and will move into enforcement in the coming months.
Penang Green Council chief executive officer Josephine Tan, when contacted, said the ban would apply to hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, petrol station convenience stores, chain stores, pharmacies and clinics.
She said wet market traders and hawkers would be excluded but were encouraged to explore other options.
“We are working with Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council on a pilot project where alternatives will be distributed to help wet market operators and hawkers who depend on single-use plastic bags to run their businesses.
“There is a biodegradable bag made using bio-transformation technology that looks exactly like a plastic bag but does not break down into microplastics.
“We are looking into running a trial project with a few of them,” she said.
Tan said the state also encourages the use of reusable bags, with 55,000 distributed for free so far out of a total of 100,000.
“We also have other initiatives, including re-bag stations at various supermarkets where people with excess reusable bags can drop them off for others to use,” she said.
