Sustainability starts with personal responsibility

SUSTAINABILITY is increasingly becoming a key issue in the Klang Valley, especially in light of rapid urbanisation and growing environmental challenges.

Over the years, “sustainable” has been a popular buzzword among the government, local authorities and private sector.

Everyone is encouraging the public to adopt eco-friendly habits, but the question remains – how effective has that been?

Let’s rewind to the 2010s, at the start of the “Say no to single-use plastic bags” push.

Fast forward to today, and plastic bags are still very much part of daily life.

Sure, the food and retail giants have made some progress, but outside of those major players, plastic bags remain a regular part of daily life.

The 20sen charge per plastic bag has raised millions of ringgit, which goes to show that many are still willing to pay for the convenience rather than switch to reusable options.

In 2020, Selangor collected RM6.6mil from the 20sen levy, which rose to RM8.5mil in 2021.

It was reported that RM38mil was collected from the 20sen charge between Jan 1, 2017 and 2023. That equalled 190,000,000 plastic bags requested by shoppers.

That’s a lot of plastic bags and it says a lot about them – cheap, practical and hard to give up.

The same goes for plastic straws and polystyrene containers.

The Federal Government is considering a nationwide ban on plastic bags by 2026.

But the more immediate solution lies in smaller, individual efforts.

After all, sustainability is a lifestyle choice.

It begins the moment we wake up and continues until we turn in for the night.

For starters, do you leave the tap running while brushing your teeth?

Simple habits like turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shortening your shower time can really add up.

It’s like that 20sen charge on plastic bags – small changes by many people can add up to a big amount.

We can invest in energy-efficient appliances, but mindfulness is just as powerful.

Switching off lights, appliances and devices when not in use doesn’t cost a thing and is something we can all do.

Plus, it will save you some money in the long run.

You might not be able to buy a sports car with the savings, but that extra cash adds up over time!

Another conscious choice is to use public transport or carpool when you can.

If your destination is nearby, choose to walk or cycle; it’s healthier too.

Buy local produce whenever possible.

It helps local businesses thrive and it’s often cheaper and fresher!

At work, go paperless – use digital tools to take notes and share files.

Sort your rubbish and recycle.

It only takes a second but makes a big difference.

When buying clothes or household items, consider used or upcycled items.

Alternatively, go for sustainable or fair-trade options as these items benefit both your well-being and the planet.

World Environment Day was on June 5 with the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.

The third United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference is set to take place from June 9 to 13 in Nice, France.

There, the UN member states, agencies, civil society, private sector and donors gather to brainstorm solutions to issues affecting oceans.

We as individuals may not solve the world’s problems overnight, but if each of us makes small conscious choices, we’ll get there – one small habit (or reusable bag) at a time.