By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, July 21 — Selangor is considering introducing a two-day ban each week on single-use plastic bags to cut down usage.
Executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said alternatively, the state may also consider increasing the plastic bag charges, currently set at 20 sen each, to discourage its use.
This is after the state saw an increase in the fee collected from 2020 to 2022, indicating that the public are not deterred by the 20 sen charge.
He noted that collection increased from RM6.6 million in 2020, to RM8.5 million in 2021 and RM10.3 million last year.
In view of this, Hee said the state Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee is reviewing the guidelines pertaining to the implementation of the plastic bag charges, including identifying plastic bag-free days, enforcement measures, and promotional campaigns.
Separately, he said the state would only impose a complete ban on single-use plastic bags by 2025 if it could find alternatives, such as biodegradable products.
“At the moment, we are still identifying a substitute product that is pretty much similar to plastic bags. Our goal is that, if we want to implement a full ban on plastic bags by 2025, then there must be an alternative.
“We are studying the use of biodegradable bags, although the matter is still in the discussion stage and no decision has been made,” he said after attending the state’s Small Grants Presentation Ceremony for Environmental and Green Technology 2023 at the state government building, here, today.
It was previously reported that the federal government is targeting a complete ban on plastic bags by 2025.
Meanwhile, Hee said Selangor has collected RM26.4 million in plastic bag charges up to June this year, and that the funds would be used for environmental awareness campaigns.
“We will also be installing more solar-powered lamps in villages, including in Orang Asli settlements and schools.”
