Public in favour of statewide ban on single-use plastic bags

He said it could also reduce litter in streets drains and rivers, lower flooding risk and improve cleanliness.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): PERAK’S plan to implement a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags beginning Jan 1, 2026, has garnered positive public reaction, and is seen as a necessary move to tackle the growing plastic waste problem.

General worker Nurul Asmida Idris, 30, said she welcomed the ban.

“Once plastic bags are banned, we will see less rubbish.

“During events, we sometimes collect three to four lorry loads of waste and most of it is plastic bags.”

She said many landfills were filling up with plastic waste, while discarded bags were often seen clogging drains during rain, causing blockages and contributing to flash floods.

“Using woven bags while shopping will be good for the environment in the long term.”

Banker Murshidul Amin Nor­azman, 28, said people were increasingly aware of the dangers of single-use plastic bags and were slowly adapting to alternatives.

He said many retail outlets had begun phasing out the use of plastic bags, and encouraging customers to buy reusable ones.

“Supermarkets are already practising this.

“Over time, as more places adopt this, people will become more conscious and eventually reduce their plastic usage.”

Kindergarten operator Amirah Mohd Amin, 39, said the move was beneficial as excess plastic bags had become unmanageable in homes.

“Plastic bags pile up and we don’t know where to put them.

“If discarded indiscriminately, it could cause drains to be clogged and causing flooding.”

She said the ban was an opportunity to teach people sustainable habits.

“We can train our kids to bring their own woven bags, reusing them for groceries and daily shopping.

“Businesses will also adapt because people will be aware that they must bring their own bags.

“More awareness campaigns on the dangers of single-use plastic bags should be held.”

Ipoh City Watch president Dr Richard Ng said the move was timely, pragmatic and necessary as the current policy of charging for plastic bags had failed to change consumer behaviour; usage remain­ed high and was on the rise.

“In 2016, the state government announced its intention to ban plastic bags and polystyrene products effective June 1, 2017, in line with national efforts to tackle single-use plastics, following earlier steps that restricted plastic use in government offices and cafeterias.

“However, the 2017 ban plan struggled because many traders and small businesses were not properly informed or prepared.”

He said the lack of clear regulation, guidelines, support and alternatives to plastic undermined compliance.

“Over time, authorities concluded that a full ban was premature especially given the lack of awareness among consumers and the limited availability of affordable, safe alternatives.

“As a result, they shifted to the pollution-charge or bag-fee approach, hoping economic disincentives and gradual awareness would change behaviour before the ban’s implementation.”

Ng said the ban would cut off the primary source of plastic bag consumption at retail points, likely reducing the volume of single-­use plastic entering landfills, waterways and the environment.

“With no plastic bags offered at points-of-sale, consumers are more likely to use reusable bags, which normalises more sustainable habits and lowers risk of plastic pollution, microplastics, contamination of water, soil, harm to wildlife and possible long-term human health risks.”

He said it could also reduce litter in streets drains and rivers, lower flooding risk and improve cleanliness.

“The disadvantages are that implementation and enforcement can be difficult especially in rural areas, wet markets and night markets as there may be lack of safe, affordable substitutes.”

Ng said non-governmental organisations such as Ipoh City Watch, Kohijau and Lions Clubs should use the opportunity to raise environmental awareness by running campaigns about plastic pollution, benefits of reusable bags and waste reduction.

“I would recommend the state government couple the ban with public-education campaigns, especially in rural areas, support for affordable reusable or alternative-bag supply, waste-segregation infrastructure, incentives for recycling or upcycling and collaboration with businesses to ensure smooth transition and equity.”

Courtesy: www.thestar.com