Public urged to support no Styrofoam, no plastic bags campaign

0

Many countries have now banned the use of plastic bags. File photo

 

KUCHING: Supermarkets, retailers and traders in traditional markets operating under Serian District Council (SDC) are urged to support the council’s “Say No to Styrofoam and Polystyrene Plastic Bag” campaign.

Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said having such a campaign was important in the conservation of clean environment and he encouraged all retailers and traders in traditional markets to start using eco-friendly biodegradable bags instead of nylon bags.

He believed that the promotion of eco-friendly biodegradable bag usage would help to limit the impact of nylon bags on the environment.

“This campaign implemented by SDC is an initiative from the Ministry of Local Government in an effort to create awareness of the importance of implementing this campaign to the environment.

“For information, plastic bags and polystyrene are made of oil and 12 million barrels per year will be used to produce them.

“The used of plastic bags and polystyrene is extremely detrimental to human health in general and (also) pollutes the environment,” he said at the launch of Interaction with Community Programme organised by SDC in Siburan near here today.

Dr Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman, noted that plastic bags and polystyrene are carcinogenic that will interfere with hormones and human DNA, and also proven to have caused cancer.

He said in addition, its use will suffocate and threaten marine life.

“Its manufacturing composition made of plastic makes it difficult to break down than organic waste.

“Plastic bags and polystyrene are also one of the largest waste contributors in sanitary landfill, contributing to 24 percent of the 19,000 tons of solid waste in Malaysia.

“Plastic bags and polystyrene normally takes 100 to 500 years to decompose,” he said.

Dr Jerip acknowledged that the use of Styrofoam or polystyrene has become the norm to the public, the food premises, supermarket operators, retailer traders, small hawkers and so on when buying or packing food.

He hoped that by following the implementation of the programme, there would be drastic drop in the usage of Styrofoam or polystyrene plastic bags at least within the SDC jurisdiction.

To the consumers, he suggested that they bring their own eco-bags or bio-degradable bags whenever they go shopping.

He also encouraged food outlets to use paper containers to pack take away foods for their customers.