By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, March 18 — A total of RM6.4 million, which has been collected from the 20 sen per plastic bag charge, will be used to spearhead more awareness programmes.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the revenue from the collection will also be used to reward those who had worked to ensure the success of the campaign.
He said the total funds were collected over a one-year span since the Selangor government had given approval for the plastic bag fee to be collected through local authorities from January 1, last year.
Hee said the total figure was surprising as the public was restricted from going out during the enforced movement control order (MCO) period and yet the recorded figure of plastic bag use was still high.
“It is disappointing and poses challenges to us in handling the unrestrained plastic usage issue,” Hee told SelangorKini when contacted.
Meanwhile, based on research conducted by Merdeka Centre in Selangor, Hee said the study revealed that public awareness towards the “no plastic bag” campaign is high.
“According to the study, 85 per cent of users had shared that they have cut down on the use of plastic bags in their daily lives,” said Hee.
He added that the awareness level had reached 88 per cent, indicating that the campaign was effective and has become a lifestyle among the society.
