The Penang Island City Council collected RM1 million in revenue last year from shoppers who had to pay RM1 for a plastic bag. Despite the penalty, the local authorities estimate that more than RM900,000 was still collected by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) from the use of single-use plastic bags. It is projected that there will be a slight reduction to RM800,000 this year.
The Penang Island City Council Mayor, Datuk A. Rajendran, revealed that the MBPP collects over 800 tonnes of waste daily, with 15% to 20% of that total consisting of plastic waste. These plastic bags can only be sold from Thursday to Sunday with a RM1 charge. Penang implemented its “No Plastic Bag Day” in 2009 to increase public awareness of environmental protection and reduce the use of plastic bags harmful to the environment, as well as decrease the state’s expenditure on solid waste disposal.
To further discourage the use of plastic bags, a video titled “Love Your Environment” has been created to educate children in kindergartens and primary schools about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, as well as taking care of the environment. Rajendran emphasized the public’s responsibility to not engage in open burning, as fines up to RM500,000 can be imposed under Section 81(h) of the Local Government Act 1976. To address this issue, Rajendran stated that enforcement teams will conduct patrols and urged the public to report any instances of open burning through the hotlines 04-263 7637 / 263 7000 or WhatsApp 016-200 4082.
Rajendran expressed hope for the end of hazy conditions as the country enters the wet monsoon season on September 19, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department. An event was organized by the sportswear chain Decathlon, with 50 participants involved in a two-hour beach cleanup. Some participants used paddleboards to clean up the sea, while others searched the beach for rubbish such as mineral water bottles and plastic bags. World Cleanup Day saw an estimated 71 million people from 197 countries and territories participate in similar efforts.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
