By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Feb 14 — The Selangor government is taking a proactive step by expanding the plastic bag-free campaign on a large scale this year.
State executive councillor for the environment and green technology Hee Loy Sian said the campaign will involve NGOs and the media in educating society, so that plastic bag usage can be reduced.
“We also encourage local authorities to conduct awareness campaigns on plastic bag usage, including on the environment for the community,” he said during the Selangor Environmental and Green Technology Small Grant 2021/2022 presentation ceremony, held at the foyer of the State Secretariat Building earlier today.
Hee added approximately RM6.4 million has been collected by the state government in plastic bag charges for last year, compared to RM6.6 million the year before.
“The collected amount is indicative of a reduction in plastic bag usage, and is a good sign as intended.
“For the time being, the 20 sen charge per plastic bag is sufficient, and we should not burden users. The collected funds will be used to educate society by organising plastic bag usage reduction campaigns,” he said.
On September 27 last year, the councillor had announced the 20 sen charge enforced in the state could be increased, should the plastic-free campaign that has been running for several years fail to achieve its objective.
Hee added the amount of money collected from the charge will be reviewed every year, before any policy changes are made.
Beginning in January 2017, traders in Selangor no longer provide plastic bags for free and have been ordered to use disposable food containers or polystyrene items in all premises.
