Selangor Journal
Image for illustration purposes only. — Picture via UNSPLASH

Selangor’s proposed Friday-Sunday plastic bag ban ‘carries weight’

By Danial Dzulkifly

SHAH ALAM, Jan 14 — The Selangor government has earned praise for its proposal to ban single-use plastic bags from Friday to Sunday, a move seen as a significant step to reduce plastic waste.

Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia (Ecomy) president Andrew Sebastian said this complements the state’s existing environmental efforts but stressed the need for a clear implementation timeline.

“It’s been 15 years since the ban on single-use plastic bags was enforced on Saturdays in 2010. We are behind schedule in devising a plan to significantly reduce its use.

“Implementing the ban over… three days a week is a good start,” he said when recently contacted.

In November last year, state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin announced plans to extend the complete ban on plastic bags at business premises from Friday to Sunday, from just Saturdays previously, sometime this year.

However, no date has been set.

Sebastian called for the state government to establish a phased approach before implementing a complete ban on single-use plastic bags across all industries.

“There must be a structured and comprehensive plan. It’s been years, and we still haven’t seen any extensive strategy for a widespread ban.”

He also suggested increasing the levy for single-use plastic bags from the current 20 sen to RM2 to further discourage usage.

State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin speaks at the launch of the Selangor Environmental Carnival 2024 at Taman Tasik Millenium, Hulu Selangor, on October 13, 2024. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR

Meanwhile, Jamaliah told Selangor Journal the state is reviewing the law to ensure effective implementation of its proposed Friday-Sunday plastic bag ban.

When contacted, she said her office is awaiting feedback from the state legal department and other stakeholders to refine the policy.

Jamaliah also expressed optimism about fostering greater cooperation and collaboration through the upcoming establishment of the Selangor Climate Change Adaptation Centre later this year.

“The centre would allow better collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders to streamline our policies for better efficacy. This includes discussions and enforcement of the no plastic bag policy.

“Similarly, the state government is looking towards increasing the 20 sen charge for single-use plastic bags, but we are still discussing it.”

Selangor began implementing the “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign in 2010, with the support of most supermarkets, mini markets, and business premises, every Saturday.

Consumers will be charged 20 sen for each plastic bag, and the money collected will go to charities, consumerism, or environmental conservation programmes.

In July last year, Jamaliah said that up to 2023, the state administration collected RM38 million by charging 20 sen per plastic bag at stores.

She said the money collected is used for awareness programmes organised by the state government to educate the people on the importance of environmental conservation, including the state’s Environment Carnival 2024 held in July last year, solar light installation, Trees for Education programme, Earth Day celebration, and Community Garden Project

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