THE STAR: GROUPS WANT MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST SINGLE-USE PLASTIC USAGE
PETALING JAYA: Conservation groups are hoping that the results of the survey by the YouGov Omnibus on the use of straws and plastic bags among Malaysians will prompt more proactive measures to counter the problem.
Many are calling for fines, more recycling programmes and even a review on the sale of single-use plastic bags.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia co-founder and CEO Andrew Sebastian said Malaysians were still not environmentally conscious – even in this modern age.
“The results of the survey are not shocking at this point of time.
“I hope that the results will prompt local authorities, state governments, agencies and even the federal government to take more proactive steps (to address the issue),” he said yesterday.
Sebastian said proactive measures such as the introduction of stiffer fines, having more recycling programmes and a review on the sale of single-use plastic bags in stores were needed to tackle the matter.
He said the current charge of 20 sen per plastic bag imposed on consumers at outlets and stores should be increased to at least RM1.
“The funds raised from that should go to a bona fide environmental cause.
“If there is the will and consensus to ban smoking in restaurants, we certainly can do better as a civil society to stop the use of single-use plastic bags and straws,” said Sebastian.
