PENANG has introduced the statewide ‘No Single-Use Plastic’ campaign to reduce the usage of single-use plastic.
State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said for a start, the ‘No Plastic Straw’ campaign is implemented this month.
“We will phase out single-use plastic in stages, at all food and beverage outlets in Penang.
“It is compulsory for eateries to register themselves with the local authorities to support the campaign.
“The eateries no longer allowed to provide plastic straws in areas where customers can easily obtain them directly.
“Plastic straws will only be given to consumers upon request, and not by default. The aim is to minimise the usage of plastic straws that is harmful to the environment,” he said during a dialogue session on ‘No Single-Use Plastic Campaign – Approach to No Plastic Straws’ at Komtar today.
Phee said that awareness campaigns would be conducted to educate the public.
“We want to protect our future generation,” he said.
About 100 representatives from hotels, supermarkets and the public attended the dialogue session.
Among those present was Penang Green Council (PGC) programme and project officer Siti Najihah Che Saad.
She shared PGC’s views on the ‘No Single-Use Plastic’ campaign.
“We conducted a survey from August to September last year to understand the public’s perception towards reducing the usage of single-use plastic.
“We found that the high usage of single-use plastic among consumers was due to its abundance and availability. Moreover, single-use plastic was provided by default to consumers by business operators,” she said.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud