SMC records high-level compliance with enforcement of plastic straw ban

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SIBU: The rate of compliance with single-use plastic straw ban has reached 82 per cent
during the first 10 days of enforcement.

According to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Public Health, Environment and Municipal Services Standing Committee chairwoman Councillor Rhoda Ting, the data is based on the outcome from 103 food premises inspected between Jan 2 and 10.

“From the 103, 85 premises complied (with the ban) while 18 still utilise plastic straws – not bad for the first 10 days.

“It will get better after another two to three months. Our enforcement teams will continue to check on the ground,” she told The Borneo Post here.

Ting said warning notices had been given to non-compliant shops and upon the second check on these premises, the SMC enforcement teams would confiscate the straws should they continue to use them again.

During the distribution of posters on the ban at Sibu Central Market last year, Ting warned errant operators about the RM50 compound and confiscation of plastic straws, for failure to adhere to the regulation.

The ban would also be
included in their licensing conditions, just like styrofoam containers.

In Malaysia, studies show that about 30 million straws per day are used each day.

Plastic straws can take up to 200 years to disintegrate.