11-6-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Cigarette butts, plastic bottles, takeaway containers, food wrappers, plastic bags, and straws—these are just a few examples of the waste items that are consistently collected from coastlines during Reef Check’s international coastal clean-up events. Reef Check, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to coral reef conservation, has been actively involved in these efforts.
In Malaysia, the clean-up conducted last September yielded staggering results. Over 9,000 volunteers participated, and together, they collected a total of 300,183 waste items weighing 24,301 kilograms along 394 kilometers of the country’s coastlines. Plastic bags accounted for 11.52 percent of the collected waste.
Theresa Ng, program development manager for Reef Check Malaysia, expressed her concern about the prevalence of plastic bags as a significant source of pollution. She stated, “Plastic bags consistently rank among the top five categories of trash collected each year. It’s disheartening to see them littering beaches, parks, and roads.”
With the alarming levels of plastic pollution, Ng applauded the recent announcement by the Malaysian government to phase out the use of plastic bags in all business sectors by 2025. In early May, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, revealed the phased implementation of the ban.
“The government has adopted a phased approach to ensure the effectiveness of each action plan, while also promoting understanding among the public and encouraging environmentally friendly choices,” Minister Nik Ahmad stated during a speech at the launch of the “no plastic bag” campaign by the retail grocery chain, 99 Speedmart.
The plastic bag ban is part of Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018–2030. While the government proceeds with its plans, industry players and the public emphasize the need for clear guidelines and education regarding the ban on an item that has become an integral part of daily life.
Despite growing awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags, many Malaysians still view them as a necessity. Plastic bags are widely used in grocery stores, food shops, wet markets, and hawker stalls. The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) estimated that Malaysians use approximately 9 billion plastic bags each year, contributing to Malaysia’s status as the country with the highest annual per capita plastic usage at 16.78 kilograms per person.
Traders and customers highlight the challenges of transitioning away from plastic bags, especially when it comes to purchasing perishable items such as meat, fish, and vegetables. The vice-president of the Pasar Besar Jalan Othman Traders Association, N. Rajaratnam, supports the ban but has observed that most customers are reluctant to change their habits. Rajaratnam, who sells chickens, mentioned that less than one-tenth of his customers bring their own containers.
While some consumers perceive plastic bags as convenient for storing groceries and discarding rubbish, others acknowledge the need to promote eco-friendly alternatives. Mrs. Kim, a market goer, expressed her preference for plastic bags due to their convenience but clarified that she only uses them when provided for free.
Mr. Nik Ahmad believes that the success of the plastic bag ban relies on changing public behavior and collaboration from industry players. To encourage sustainable practices and reduce plastic pollution, popular chain store 99 Speedmart ceased providing plastic bags to customers, offering reusable bags for purchase instead. By doing so, the company aims to prevent an estimated 41 million plastic bags from entering the environment each year.
Malaysia has previously implemented initiatives to reduce plastic bag usage, such as the No Plastic Bag Day program launched in 2011. States like Penang, Selangor, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan have also taken steps towards becoming plastic-free by charging for plastic bags. Penang, in particular, has successfully reduced plastic bag use by 78 percent between 2020 and 2021 through a progressive pricing strategy.
While support for the plastic bag ban exists, organizations like Zero Waste Malaysia stress the importance of clear implementation plans. They emphasize the need to shift from single-use plastics to a circular economy and believe that collaboration between the government, manufacturers, industries, and the public is essential for success.
WWF Malaysia supports the ban but urges clear targets, timelines, and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness. They emphasize that addressing the plastic problem requires collective efforts and responsible production and consumption practices.
As Malaysia takes significant steps towards reducing plastic bag usage, it is hoped that these efforts will pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future for the nation.
