Plastic pollution remains a pressing global challenge despite years of awareness and knowledge about its devastating impact on the environment and human health. The ubiquitous presence of single-use plastic bags continues to haunt our ecosystems and jeopardise the very existence of our planet.
Million plastic bottles are purchased every minute all over the world, and 5 trillion reusable bags are used every year. The majority of plastic produced is meant for reusable tasks that are used only once before being discarded.
While governments, organisations, and individuals have taken steps to combat this crisis, the continued prevalence of plastic bag usage demands a comprehensive and collective effort to bring about lasting change.
Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad emphasises the importance of a realistic approach to overcome challenges in the economy related to plastic usage.
“It is crucial to find practical solutions that resonate with businesses and communities, ensuring that the transition away from plastic bags is feasible and sustainable,” he said.
“The government aims to ban the use of plastic bags for retail purposes across all business sectors nationwide by 2025.
The minister said the “No Plastic Bags” campaign had been carried out in stages, starting with fixed business locations like supermarkets and certain shops.
“For now, we allow implementation and enforcement to be handled by local councils as we understand that there are different levels of development, needs and even businesses.
“However, we do plan to eventually implement stricter enforcement nationwide once we feel the time is right,” he added.
The United Nations Environment Programme has highlighted that disposable plastics, including grocery bags and containers, constitute a significant portion of plastic waste, with the majority ending up in landfills and oceans. The consequences of plastic pollution are vast, ranging from marine and land contamination to health issues.
Malaysia, among the world’s largest importers of plastic waste, has been grappling with the challenges posed by plastic pollution due to its manufacturing industry worth 30 billion Ringgit.
To begin with, plastics frequently contain chemicals such as bisphenol A and phthalates, which can leak into food, water, and the environment. Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been associated to a variety of health concerns, including hormone abnormalities, reproductive troubles, developmental disorders, and an increased risk of cancer.
Second, animals may consume plastic particles, which can build up in their organs. Humans may be exposed to dangerous compounds found in plastics if they ingest these infected animals.
Third, the combustion of plastic garbage emits hazardous chemicals and particulate particles into the atmosphere, leading to air pollution. These contaminants can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, and other respiratory disorders if inhaled.
Fourth, micro plastics have been discovered in food and beverages, including drinking water, posing the risk of human ingestion. Micro plastic ingestion’s long-term health implications are still being explored, but they are concerning.
Malaysia emits 0.14 to 0.37 million tons of plastic trash into the oceans each year. Second, incorrect garbage disposal causes plastics to accumulate in dumps, adding to land contamination.
It decomposes over hundreds of years, resulting in long-term environmental repercussions. Third, when plastic garbage is inappropriately disposed of or burned, it can destroy natural environments such as forestry and wetlands. This damage has an adverse effect on biodiversity and ecosystems. Aside from the environmental issue, plastic trash has a negative influence on human health.
Why, then, despite being aware of the dire consequences, does the use of plastic bags persist in many regions worldwide? The answer lies in various factors that have hindered efforts to curb plastic bag consumption. While the increase in global population and individual use contributes to the escalating plastic trash contamination, there are deeper-rooted issues that demand attention.
Dr. Rulia Akhtar, an environmental expert at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC), Universiti
Malaya, explains that the consumption of disposable plastic bags has indeed decreased in some regions, but smaller stores and shops continue to distribute these bags without considering their environmental impact.
“A lack of proper waste management and recycling infrastructure poses significant hurdles in the fight against plastic pollution. The convenience and low cost of plastic bags have also perpetuated their rampant usage, while some industries may be slow to adopt sustainable alternatives due to economic constraints,” she added.
However, this is not a time for despair but rather an opportunity for collective action. Governments, businesses, communities, and individuals must come together to implement effective measures to stop the persistent use of plastic bags. Here are some crucial steps that can be taken:
- Education and Awareness: Increase public awareness about the adverse effects of plastic pollution through educational campaigns, workshops, and media initiatives. Empower people with practical ideas for adopting environmentally friendly alternatives.
- Regulations and Incentives: Enforce strict laws to hold manufacturers accountable for their products’ lifecycle and encourage extended producer responsibility. Implement plastic bag bans and set limits on single-use plastics. Provide incentives for businesses that prioritize environmentally friendly practices and products.
- Infrastructure and Waste Management: Invest in upgrading recycling infrastructure and establish efficient waste management systems. Promote the separation of recyclable materials at the source and support community-led recycling activities.
- Innovation and Research: Support research and development of sustainable packaging materials and products. Invest in breakthrough technologies to combat plastic waste, improve recycling, and develop biodegradable or sustainable materials.
The path to eliminating plastic bags and reducing plastic pollution is not easy, but it is a journey that must be undertaken with urgency and determination.
By working together and taking action at the individual, community, and global levels, we can protect our planet for generations to come. The global plastic treaty is a step in the right direction, but it is only through collaborative efforts and a genuine commitment to change that we can achieve a plastic-free future.
