Authorities must walk the plastic waste talk

IN many parts of the Klang Valley, big yellow plastic bags are being used to hold twigs, leaves, and other garden refuse before they are collected for disposal.

What baffles me – and, I’m sure, many citizens – is the fact that these plastic bags are actually being used by contractors who have been given the task of clearing roadsides, dividers, and other public spaces of such debris.

Every time I see these plastic bags, I wonder why they are being used when single-use plastic bags have already been banned.

I believe that it sends the wrong message to the public that it is still all right to use such plastic bags although there are various biodegradable and environment-friendly alternatives.

The authorities must walk the talk when dealing with single-use plastic bags. This is important since the government is working to educate the public and raise awareness of the danger of plastic pollution.

The Natural Resources, Energy and Climate Change Ministry recently announced a plan to eliminate the use of plastic bags for retail purposes across all business sectors nationwide by 2025.

The widespread use of the yellow plastic bags by companies contracted to local government authorities is certainly not setting the right example.

The rampant use of plastic bags by landscaping and garbage collecting firms until today reflects the attitude of Malaysians who want everything to be easy instead of finding a better solution, such as using bamboo baskets that can be reused many times (apart from also being biodegradable).

Under the Federal Govern-ment’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-use Plastics 2018-2030, Malaysia will eliminate single- use plastics by 2030.

Although some quarters have expressed concerns that the 12-year timeline is simply too long to be effective, it actually covers all aspects, including offering suggestions to plastics manufacturers on how they can transition to alternatives and preparing them to produce more ecofriendly products.

The success of this comprehensive roadmap depends on support from all stakeholders, including state governments, manufacturers, suppliers, business operators, NGOs, and the public.

I hope all government agencies and their contractors, at the very least, will from now on find a better alternative than single-use plastic bags. We must look for environment-friendly products to help us achieve the target sooner than expected.

Government agencies and the local authorities must lead by example to help reduce plastic pollution, including banning the use of plastic bags at all levels – including by their own contractors – and not only among shoppers.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Chairman

Alliance For A Safe Community