Deposit refund scheme to preserve environment

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PETALING JAYA: The government plans to introduce a deposit refund scheme to encourage the society to be more responsible and make them realise the importance of environmental protection.

SHARING VIEWS: Chor (centre) is seen in discussion with Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie (right) when touring the Alam Flora Sdn Bhd booth after opening the 2nd Meeting of Regional 3R Forum In Asia. — Bernama photo

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the scheme would be implemented in another year or two when the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 had been fully implemented next year.

“This is part of the 3R (recycle, reduce, re-use) incentives. At the moment we will not make it compulsory for implementation of the scheme, but we encourage participation from relevant parties in our efforts to instil awareness among the society on the environment,” he told reporters after opening the second 3R Regional Forum in Asia here yesterday.

He said under the scheme, consumers would not have to make any deposit payment, instead they would only be required to return the containers of certain products to participating outlets or manufacturers after the contents had been used up.

“For example, you can return an empty cream bottle to the shop where you purchased it after using up the cream, and be paid RM1 as incentive.

“If the cream cost RM3, then you can get a new bottle for the same product by paying another RM2,” he added. Chor also said programmes would continue to be carried out by the government to instil public awareness on the importance of protecting the environment, as well as to attract participation from more bodies, including the relevant ministries, in such programmes.

The two-day forum is jointly organised by the ministry, the Japanese Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development.

Themed ‘3Rs for Green Economy and Sound Material-Cycle Society’, the meeting seeks to contribute to improving understanding and strengthening regional consensus in terms of policy options that promote 3Rs toward achieving resource efficiency, a green economy and a sound material-cycle society. — Bernama