Penang hits pause on single-use plastic ban

 

The Penang state government has hit a pause on its green initiative to ban single-use plastics as the Covid-19 pandemic brought upon several challenges, said Penang Green Council (PGC) general manager Josephine Tan.

Tan told The Star that in the last two years of the pandemic, plastic bag usage has increased due to consumers ordering food online.

“Some are also worried about drinking directly from cups when they dine in at eateries. This poses a huge challenge to our green cause.

“We encourage restaurants and cafes to offer alternatives such as paper, bamboo or rice straws with an emphasis on compostable straws,” she said.

Last June, a PGC survey on the movement control order’s impact on waste generation in Penang revealed a small increase in both online shopping and food delivery - which plays a part in the increased usage of single-use plastic bags.

The survey showed that the usage of plastic bags, containers, eating utensils and drinking straws rose by more than 30 percent - with more than half of the study’s participants seeing an increase in household waste during this period.

At present, the use of plastic bags is charged at RM1 at various premises in the state from Thursdays to Sundays.

While for the rest of the week, plastic bags will not be made available at these premises.

The policy is made effective in places such as supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, petrol stations, and pharmacies, among others, whereas it is not compulsory for hawker stalls, wet market traders or independent businesses.

No plastic bags, no plastic straws

On the no-plastic straw measure, Tan said all eateries are not allowed to show or have plastic straws easily available to their patrons.

However, customers could still request straws, if necessary, she said.

She noted that the use of compostable straws was much preferred, as opposed to biodegradable straws, owing to how these straws were better suited for the “end of life cycle” once thrown away.

Penang environment committee chairperson Phee Boon Poh said the committee has been discussing the need to reduce the use of plastic bags and not give out plastic straws at cafes and restaurants.

“We also told members of the public to use their own metal or rice straws.

"To set an example, we even brought our metal and rice straws along to show people that it can be done should they choose to dine in,” he said.

He noted that some shops had shown initiative by choosing biodegradable straws and paper bags in their operations.

The single-use plastic ban was set to be enforced in July but will now be deferred until further notice. - Mkini