Environmentalist: Radio, TV better than billboards to discourage single-use plastics

Bernama pic.

KUALA LUMPUR: An environmentalist has urged Putrajaya to step up efforts to discourage the use of single-use plastics, suggesting a return to traditional advertising mediums such as television and radio.

Mareena Yahya Kerschot, who founded the #TakNakStraw movement, said this would be more effective than location-based advertising such as on concrete pillars and billboards.

She referred to the popular “Recycle, that’s what you do” drive in the early 1990s as an example of a successful campaign.

“It was translated into Chinese and Malay, and those of us who grew up knowing that campaign still have that jingle stuck in our heads,” she told FMT.

“This campaign method is still relevant among the masses today. Everyone watches television and listens to the radio when they are on the road. It is an effective way of reaching out.”

Mareena compared this to efforts such as the billboards in the city centre featuring the tagline “Plastik tidak fantastik”, or the digital advertisements at MRT stations.

“As a person who used to work in advertising, I can say that such billboards and advertisements placed on concrete pillars are usually used as branding reinforcements.

“The objective is merely to reinforce an existing brand, never to convey information. People will not be able to remember what they see if they don’t already know the product.”

She also emphasised the location-based nature of such publicity campaigns, asking how the message would reach those in rural areas or who did not happen to pass by.

On the government’s proposal to research the commercialisation of biodegradable packaging and other eco-friendly products, Mareena said it would be better to ban the distribution of single-use plastics altogether.

“When you don’t supply, people will eventually get used to the idea. Bali is doing it, so why can’t we?”

She also voiced concern that “opportunists” would take advantage of the situation to make money.

“I think what the government meant was to introduce this as a new business opportunity for existing plastic product manufacturers,” she added, noting that these manufacturers could lose their source of income if single-use plastics are eliminated.

She acknowledged that the transition to a society free from single-use plastics would not be easy, nor would it entirely eliminate pollution.

“But at least it will slow down the process. It will help people think about what they have done to the earth.”

Marketing executive Selina Chong, 27, said people were already getting used to the idea of “no plastic bag day” at hypermarkets.

“But because we are so used to relying on convenience, if hypermarkets or retail stores offer a bag to shoppers, they will take it,” she added.

Although Malaysia was still far from achieving the “bring your own bag” habit, she said, people were moving towards this.

“We just need a little bit of a push.”

However, she believed advertising campaigns alone would not be enough.

“It has to be a practical, hands-on approach. Take these conveniences away, then they will be forced to find a solution to their problem.”

Her suggestion received support from a restaurant owner who told FMT that her customers usually brought their own takeaway containers.

“When the ban on polystyrene took effect in Selangor in 2017, all eateries had to stop providing polystyrene containers for takeaway orders,” Noriah said.

But even before the ban was enforced, she added, her regular customers would bring their own containers when they wanted to take away food.

Noriah, who is in her 60s, also urged restaurant owners to do their part to minimise the use of single-use plastics.

“Some restaurants still serve food with plastic cutlery. I think they need to stop this. It is convenient but contributes to the increased us of single-use plastics.

“We come into contact with consumers every day,” she added. “We should try to get the message across.” - FMT