The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association has welcomed the Selangor state government’s decision to expand the plastic bag ban as a crucial step towards promoting more sustainable consumer practices.
MPMA PresidentCC Cheah expressed his support for the move, saying, “The expansion of the plastic bag ban encourages consumers to use reusable alternatives as carrier bags. On days when the ban is not implemented, we support the continuation of the 20-cent levy as it serves as a practical tool to support this shift in consumer behaviour and provides flexibility for those who may still require plastic carrier bags.”
To further promote reuse, MPMA encourages plastic bag manufacturers to print messages such as “Reuse me as a garbage bin liner” on plastic carrier bags. By reusing carrier bags for waste disposal, consumers can maximise the utility of the bags they pay for, thereby reducing unnecessary purchases of plastic garbage bags for waste disposal.
Malaysians commonly use plastic bags to contain and dispose of waste, which makes them easily visible in landfills. However, their contribution by weight is negligible and their inert property means they do not cause contamination to the landfills. Although a plastic bag ban could reduce its usage among consumers, additional measures such as the effective implementation of waste separation at source (SAS) and improving the collected-for-recycling (CFR) rate are crucial to divert plastic waste from landfills and direct it to recycling facilities.
MPMA continues to support its members in exploring sustainable alternatives, including bio-based and compostable bags. These materials provide new avenues for managing waste in an environmentally friendly manner. However, stakeholders and authorities are encouraged to understand the differences between these materials, particularly their degradation mechanisms and applications. This knowledge is essential for facilitating effective waste separation and disposal for these types of materials. Not to forget that most alternatives have a higher carbon footprint compared to conventional plastics, an environmental trade-off to be made while opting for alternative materials.
The association also highlighted that the use of alternatives is not a complete solution, as they often lack the beneficial properties of plastics, which remain a reliable and versatile material, especially for specific applications such as wet market goods and hawker food. Plastic bags remain convenient for certain applications due to their characteristics and cost-effectiveness, making them necessary for consumers. MPMA has called for the ban to not be extended to wet and night markets.
“Efforts should focus on developing efficient collection systems and recycling facilities to manage plastics waste responsibly,” Mr Cheah added. “Together with the extension of plastic bag ban, these efforts can contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.”
Certain Sectors Need Plastic Bag Use: MPMA
