PENANG Green Council (PGC), in collaboration with AISoftBox Sdn Bhd and JCI United Penang, has unveiled a new green initiative known as the ‘Penang No Paper Receipt Day’ campaign.
PGC general manager Josephine Tan said the state government will continue to advocate environmental sustainability through the campaign.
“Penang is well known for its no plastic bag campaign since 2009, and our success story does not stop there.
“Today, we will continue educating the public on environmental sustainability via the ‘Penang No Paper Receipt Day’ campaign.
“So, we now urge everyone to adopt the ‘paperless receipt’ as a new culture in Penang,” Tan said during the launch of the campaign at Komtar today.
Tan shared that most of the retail receipts are non-recyclable and harmful as they contain a chemical, called bisphenol.
“We have now 200 retailers who have pledged to support as well as commit to promoting this paperless receipt campaign.
“I would like to thank all of our partners and sponsors and let us continue this effort together,” Tan added.
Meanwhile, state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the campaign is in line with the state government’s Penang 2030 vision of creating a ‘Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.’
“When we first launched the no plastic bag campaign back in 2009, people even called me crazy.
“But, now let us all congratulate the 200 retailers for joining the campaign, a privilege which we did not have when we launched the no plastic bag campaign back then.
“The first three months would be very challenging, but I encourage all of you to never give up,” Phee said while thanking the younger generation for initiating the ‘Penang No Paper Receipt Day’ campaign.
Phee added that a paper receipt emits approximately 2.5g of carbon during its lifetime.
It is learned that the campaign will be held from June till August 2023 at the participating outlets and stores. During this period, paper receipts will not be automatically provided but will be given upon request.
At the launch, an MoU signing ceremony also took place between AISoftBox Sdn Bhd (AISoftBox) and GHL Systems Berhad (GHL).
AlSoftBox was represented by its founder Tenllieyh Lee Nan Soo while GHL Systems was represented by GHL Malaysia chief executive officer Kevin Lee.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud