SHOPS THAT OFFER PLASTIC BAGS TO CONSUMERS TO PAY ‘POLLUTION CHARGE’
Money will be used to boost awareness, provide reusable shopping bags
ALL supermarkets, shops and restaurants will be subject to “pollution charges” if they use conventional plastic bags from next year.
Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the pollution charge would be implemented by state governments, which would bring it into force from 2019 to 2021.
“The state governments will determine the quantum and when it will be implemented.
“We leave it to state governments when they want to announce this.
“These charges will be collected and the funds can be used for awareness campaigns or providing reusable shopping bags to the public. It should not be used for any other purpose.
“We are also hoping to increase the number of compostable plastic bags at a competitive rate for consumer convenience.”
Yeo said this after launching the Malaysia Roadmap towards Zero Plastics for Use 2018-2030 in conjunction with the 9th International Technology and Eco Malaysia (IGEM) International Technology Conference and Exhibition here.
Themed “Green Economy and Industry 4.0: Achieving Sustainable Development Targets”, IGEM aims to attract more than 30,000 visitors and generate RM2.5 billion in business.
Earlier, Yeo presented the roadmap to more than 100 delegates comprising industry players.
Commenting on the roadmap, she said conventional plastic bags contributed to the high volume of solid waste.
“In addition to the reduction of this single-use plastic bag, this roadmap also seeks to stimulate the green industry, which is an alternative to the plastic bag.
“There are two objectives in this plan: to reduce the use of plastic bags and act as a catalyst to the growth of alternative industries to conventional plastic bags.”