MCC calls for total support on ban of styrofoam food containers

MIRI: The Miri City Council (MCC) is calling for total support from food operators not to use styrofoam or polystyrene for the packaging of food.

Miri mayor Adam Yii said such commitment is needed to make the green initiative drawn up by the MCC a reality.

Speaking to the media after chairing a full council meeting at MCC yesterday, Yii said that the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has agreed with its city and municipal councils to ban the use of a non-biodegradable Styrofoam food containers.

“MCC will continuously monitor food premises and suppliers to ensure compliance with the ban of styrofoam for serving and food packaging.

“On another hand, the MCC encourages the general public to bring their own food containers for take-away food from eateries or restaurants,” said Yii.

The policy to ban the use of plastic for food and packaging actually takes effect on Jan 1 this year and is applicable to food and drink providers, supermarkets and manufacturers.

Even so, the policy is being carried out in stages and the ban on the use of plastic ( packaging) includes shopping bags, garbage bags and especially styrofoam ( polystyrene) containers.

The ban on styrofoam was a result of the council’s concern on the high usage of styrofoam containers in food service and packaging.

Stryrofoam- based items hinder the council’s effort to reduce waste and being nonbiodegradable pose health hazard to both humans and animals including marine life.

On other issues, he shared the outcome of survey on ‘No Plastic Bag Every Sunday’ conducted by MCC’s Local Agenda ( LA) 21 Section on Feb 11.

The survey was conducted at five major participating supermarkets of the campaign namely Boulevard Imperial Mall, Boulevard Pujut, Sin Liang Supermarket, Giant PermyMall and E-Mart Tudan which involved of a total of 601 correspondents.

“The survey recorded positive feedback to the campaign.

“Based on the survey, 80.7 per cent of those surveyed were aware of the campaign and 83.9 per cent gave their total support to the campaign. On the proposal to extend the campaign to every day, some 67.7 per cent supported the proposal,” he added.

On behalf of the MCC, Yii thanked the participating supermarkets and outlets as well as general public for the support towards the campaign and hoped that they would continue to work hand in hand with the council to reduce the use of plastic bags.