Effective January, 2010, the “No Plastic Bag” day was implemented in Selangor with the aim to encourage further reduction of plastic bag usage across the city. Since then, every Saturday is a plastic bag-free day in Selangor. Saturday is chosen as it will be a very effective day to get the message across to a wider crowd. Besides, customer who insists on plastic bags will have to pay between 10sen to 20sen per bag. Therefore, it is better for the shopper to make a habit of using less plastic bags and bringing own bags when shopping.
This program will help to save Malaysia’s environment by creating awareness among the public on the disadvantages of expansive use of plastic. It reduces and minimizes plastic usage starting from shopping complexes by using recyclable shopping bags. In order to preserve our world heritage, the introduction of this simple gesture definitely makes a better change for Malaysian.
Selangor’s first “No Plastic Bag” day on Jan 2 went by so quietly that many consumers, although applauding the move, many shoppers were caught unaware of the declaration made by the Selangor State government. Following consultation and dialogues with hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini markets, plastic manufacturer and NGOs, the ban on using plastic bag marks the serious commitment towards reducing the use of plastic bags. There are 20 big retailers comprising hypermarkets, supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores who are participating during this campaign’s initial stage included Carrefour, Tesco, Giant, Jusco, 7-11 and Ikea.
Actually, some other countries are having their own ruling about the usage of plastics bag. For example, plastic bags are either taxed or require additional charges in places like Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Holland. Besides, in October 2001, Taiwan introduced a ban on distribution of free single-use plastic nags by government agencies, schools and the military. China introduced a ban on flimsy plastic bags in June 2008 to reduce “white pollution”- the popular term for plastic bags and Styrofoam packaging. In Denmark, the waste tax is differentiated so that it is most expensive to landfill waste, cheaper to incinerate it and tax exempt to recycle it. It also has “green” taxes on packaging, plastic bags
Since the message of reducing usage of plastic bag is encourage by government, public is making the habit of bringing own bags when shopping. Non woven bag or eco bag has become a prevalent trend nowadays. Various design and functions of eco bag is selling in the market. The photos below are some example of different eco bags.
By practising this program, we can lessen our environmental footprint by minimizing the usage of plastic shopping bags. All of us in this global community must realize the importance of preserving, protecting and promoting a clean and healthy environment not only for the investors, tourists and those who desires for sustainable living, but also for our generation. If everyone does so, our world will become a better, cleaner, safer place for all living things.
reference from: http://www.alantanblog.com/advertisement/let-support-no-plastic-bag-day-campaign.html
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