wani muthiah The Star 4 Jun 19;
KLANG: All Selangor government departments and agencies are prohibited from using single-use plastic starting from July 1.
State Environment, Green Technology, Consumer and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the move was to promote a healthy and clean environment, as well as counter contamination issues arising from single-use plastic.
“It is also in line with the state government’s efforts to reduce the usage of single-use plastic, especially plastic bags and polystyrene,” Hee said in a statement.
He said the ruling was also in tandem with the Federal Government’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030 that was launched last year.
“We encourage the private sector, schools, places of worship, non-governmental organisations and others to participate in this campaign voluntarily. It is our hope this campaign can be implemented in all places involving Selangor residents so that it can achieve its aim to reduce and eradicate the use of single-use plastic,” said Hee.
Under the directive, all Selangor government departments, agencies and state-linked companies will stop using single-use plastic water bottles, plates, cups, cutlery, drinking straws and plastic cling wrap to cover plates and saucers.
Substitutes such as glass water bottles, jugs and water dispensers, as well as reusable food coverings will be used instead.
Hee added that state government staff and the public were encouraged to bring their own reusable containers, cutlery and straws.
“They should also use woven bags or reusable bags when buying food from the cafeteria.
“We will initiate strategies and efforts to promote this campaign through various communication platforms, especially social media, as well as prepare promotional infographics and videos to make it a success,” he said.
Selangor Pertubuhan Pelindungan Khazanah Alam Malaysia chairman Damien Thanam Divean said they welcomed the move.
“In fact, it should have been implemented earlier,” he said, while urging the state government to extend the directive to include the private sector.
Kuala Langat Environmental Action Association secretary Pua Lay Peng described the move as “timely”.
“The state civil servants will be a good role model to kick-start the campaign for others to follow suit.
“But it must be followed with enforcement to ensure the directive is adhered to,” she said.
