- Where did the idea for "No Plastic Bag Day" policy came from?
The awareness of the environmental issues has noticeably increased over the years, and credit goes to the various hardworking parties like NGOs and private sectors. With the recent COP15 UNFCCC conference in Denmark, it had also helped to bring the awareness of Climate Change into the mainstream media.
Major cities around the world have long been charging for plastic bags and banning the usage in some. Even in Selangor, consumers and businesses have been taking the initiative long before this campaign. So, we are rolling this “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign in support of their good work.
- Tell me about the no plastic bag campaign, how big of a problem is this really?
The production of plastic bag uses fossil fuel, petroleum, as its raw material. This is highly unsustainable. In addition, 99% of the plastic bags are filling up our limited landfill, the balance 1% ends up in your home’s cabinet and much lesser being recycled. These bags also ends up in our rivers, beaches and those clogging up the drains caused unnecessary urban issues. There are many documented cases where marine animals suffocate and die of indigestion of plastic bags, they thought were food.
- What are the purpose and the objective of this policy?
In the beginning, our focus was primarily on resolving environmental issues left behind by the previous administration. We also concentrated a lot on recovering and rehabilitating forests in Selangor. Only when I was comfortable with the progress we’ve made in those basic areas did I turn my focus on reducing plastic bag usage.
- Since its launch in January 2010, how effective has it been?
Since January, we have signed up more than 70 partners, from hypermarkets, malls, retail chains and even the F&B outlets. They see the value is doing the right thing, being environmentally responsible. A short report from our partner in May, they have reduced roughly 5 million plastic bags from circulation.
- Have there been any moves to widen this campaign to other states?
Penang and Selangor have been the forefront in protecting the environment by engaging the public. Some partners do come back to us saying they are rolling out this campaign nationwide voluntarily. This is a good example of private sector taking the lead. Lately, we have heard City Councils from Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and even Kuantan taking up the steps to reduce plastic bags consumption. We hope the federal government will roll this campaign nationwide.
- What are the incentives offered to SMEs or organisations that adhere to this policy?
This campaign is completely voluntary. But if the worldwide call for corporate social responsibility and environmentally sustainable practices serve as any guide, then there are plenty of incentives for SMEs to put this campaign — or other environmental measures — on their agenda.
Increasingly environmental attitudes are changing as the threat of climate change becomes an issue we can't ignore. Consumers are looking to reduce their own carbon footprint created and are demanding that the businesses and brands — regardless of industry — be responsible for their environmental footprint. In other words, brands and businesses will benefit from environmental sustainability that consumers expect from them. Many business owners and decision-makers recognize the need for sustainable development — protecting of the natural environment in an effort to sustain economic and social needs of social generations.
The fact is environmentally sustainable practices isn't merely a responsibility reserved for large MNCs. Worldwide, a majority of businesses are SMEs. I believe in Malaysia they make up about 99.2% of businesses. SMEs are key players in the global business community's pursuit of protecting the environment. There are many innovative projects — including Selangor's No Plastic Bag Day campaign — that SMEs can embark on that cost very little in time and resources.
- Under this campaign, 20 cents are collected from consumers who used plastic bags. Where is the money channelled to?