MCC mulls banning plastic drinking straws starting June
MIRI: The city council is now looking at efforts to ban the use of plastic drinking straws at all business premises here.
Mayor Adam Yii said the council’s Local Agenda Community Development (LACD) standing committee is preparing the paperwork for a campaign to discourage the people from using plastic drinking straws.
“We plan to implement the ban on plastic drinking straws perhaps by June this year. We are trying our best to see how to work with the people in Miri to ensure a better environment for our future generation,” he said.
Yii was speaking to reporters after launching the ‘ No Plastic Bag On Every Saturday & Sunday’ campaign in front of Miri City Council ( MCC) yesterday.
On the ‘No Plastic Bag’ campaign, Yii called on all shopping malls, supermarkets, hypermarkets and mini markets here to give their support by taking part.
We plan to implement the ban on plastic drinking straws perhaps by June this year. We are trying our best to see how to work with the people in Miri to ensure a better environment for our future generation.
He said the purpose of the campaign was to publicise as well as raise awareness among the general public regarding the expansion of ‘No Plastic Bag Day’.
“MCC has implemented the ‘no plastic bag’ rule on every Sunday since 2018. Now, the campaign will be extended to two days which are on every Saturday and Sunday, starting from March 30 this year.
“The objective of the campaign is to stop and reduce the usage of plastic bag which is harmful to the environment.”
He said the campaign would be implemented in three stages – the first being expanding the ban on plastic bag to every Saturday.
“For the second stage, effective July 5 this year, it will be expanded to include every Friday, and by Oct31 this year, the campaign would enter the third stage where the ban applies to every day.”
Yii said MCC will distribute materials such as banners, streamers, posters and stickers on the campaign to shopping malls, supermarkets, shops, agencies and schools.
“We really hope that shopping malls, hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini marts and shops support the campaign for the greening and sustainable development of Miri city.”
Also present were Miri deputy mayor Julaihi Mohamad and LACD standing committee chairman councillor Karambir Singh.
Adam Yii, Miri Mayor