SDC launches campaign against use of plastics
KUCHING: Supermarkets, retailers and traders in traditional markets operating under Serian District Council ( SDC) are urged to support the council’s ‘Say No to Styrofoam and Polystyrene Plastic Bag’ campaign.
Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said having such a campaign was important in sustaining clean environment and he encouraged all retailers and traders in traditional markets to start using eco- friendly plastic bags instead of nylon bags.
He believed that the promotion of eco-friendly plastic bag usage would help to limit the impact that nylon bags has on the environment.
“This campaign implemented by SDC is an initiative from the Ministry of Local Government in an effort to create awareness of the importance of clean environment.
“The use
This campaign implemented by SDC is an initiative from the Ministry of Local Government in an effort to create awareness of the importance of clean environment.
of plastic bags and polystyrene is extremely detrimental to human health generally apart from polluting the environment,” he said at the launch of interaction with community programme organised by SDC in Siburan near here yesterday.
Dr Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman, noted that plastic bags and polystyrene are carcinogenic products that will interfere with hormones and human DNA.
He said in addition, the use will suffocate and threaten aquatic life, especially marine life.
“Its manufacturing composition also makes it difficult to break down compared to organic waste.
“Plastic bags and polystyrene are also one of the largest waste contributors in sanitary landfill, contributing about 24 per cent of the 19,000 tonnes of solid waste in Malaysia.
“Plastic bags and polystyrene normally takes 100 to 500 years to decompose,” he said.
Dr Jerip acknowledged that the use of styrofoam or polystyrene has become the norm to the public, the food premises, supermarket operators, retailers, traders, hawkers and so on when buying or packing food.
He hoped following the implementation of the programme, there would be drastic drop in the usage of styrofoam or polystyrene plastic bags at least within the SDC jurisdiction.
To the consumers, he suggested that they bring their own eco-bags
Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Transportation
or bio- degradable plastic bags whenever they go shopping.
He also encouraged food outlets to use paper containers to pack take- away food for their customers.
Also present at the ceremony was Serian District officer and SDC chairman Lim Hock Meng.