Malaysia Drafts Policy to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate and Environment in under the process of drafting a policy to implement complete ban on use of non-degradable plastic bags. The detailed policy regarding “zero-plastic bag” plan will be announced in October, as per media reports.

According to the Ministry, the proposed plan to ban plastic bags will not be implemented all of a sudden. Sufficient time will be granted for shops as well as shoppers to adjust with the ban. The government will conduct nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public, before introducing the ban. Even after the policy is announced, there will be grace period so as to enable smooth transition, noted Minister Yeo Bee Yin. Further, plastic bag industry participants will be provided with incentives for switching to production of alternative bags. However, the government has decided not to back out of the ban decision, the Minister added.

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While comparing the proposed ban with the recent ruling on plastic bags issued by the Selangor state government, the Minister noted that the plan is to completely prohibit the use of non-degradable plastic bags. Incidentally, the Selangor state government’s ruling allows retailers to provide plastic bags to customers, by collecting fees.

Recently, the supermarket giant Tesco had launched a new scheme in eleven of its stores in Kuala Lumpur and the southern state of Johar. The “unforgettable bag” campaign gave customers discounts on their shopping every time they reuse the bags. The bags distributed through the scheme are made from recyclable plastic and is much more durable than conventional plastic bags. Effective June 1, Tesco has rolled out the scheme to all of its stores across Malaysia.

As per rough estimates by the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, an average Malaysian throws away nearly 300 plastic bags per annum.