FOMCA Calls for R&D Investment to Replace Plastic Packaging

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) urged e-commerce platforms and sellers to invest in research and development (R&D) projects to find alternative environment-friendly packaging solutions to plastic packaging.

Announcing the decision, Dr Marimuthu Nadason noted that the proposal will help to eradicate plastic pollution. The surge in popularity of e-commerce, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to increased use of plastic wrappers. He urged e-commerce majors and others in the supply chain to conduct research on finding alternative recyclable covers or packaging such as cardboard, in replacement of environmentally harmful plastic wrappers.

ALSO READ:

Cabinet Gives Final Approval to Bill Aimed at Reducing Plastic Waste

Caucus Boosts Coordinated Effort to Push EPR Policies for Plastic Packaging

Furthermore, the Confederation urged supermarkets and hypermarkets to stop the practice of using different plastic bags for different fruits, vegetables and dry food. Instead, they should sell recyclable bags, it noted.

In addition, FOMCA called for setting up of more recycling centres to enable consumers to drop off their plastic waste. The residents’ associations have a key role to play, thus preventing plastic from ending up in landfills, it said.