SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has kicked off its Plastic Straw Free (#BebasStrawPlastik) campaign today, but strict enforcement will only be enforced by 2025.
Selangor Environment, Green Technology, Science and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian urged consumers as well as food and beverage outlets to use the six-year grace period to get themselves adjusted to the new policy.
“There will be no enforcement, no fines yet, but we want to create awareness among the people on the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. This policy is not to burden the people and I hope Selangor folks will cooperate. Our aim is to cut down on single-use plastics.
“I have observed that some premises are unaware of this policy. But it is alright. We shall give them time to adjust. I hope they will use this grace period to not just get used to refrain from requesting plastic straws, but put in efforts to switch to alternatives such as paper, stainless steel or bamboo straws,” he said, after a walkabout in Plaza Shah Alam to inform food and beverage outlets of the policy and put up the Selangor state government’s reminder notices.
Hee was accompanied by Shah Alam mayor Datuk Haris Kasim, deputy mayor Mohd Rashidi Ruslan as well as Shah Alam City Council department heads and staff. During the walkabout, bamboo and stainless steel straws were given out to the public.
As part of the Plastic Straw Free campaign guidelines, single-use plastic straws will not be automatically given to consumers by default for each drink. It is also barred from being provided at the counter to be freely taken by customers, and only to be given upon request.
Starting this year, the state government will put in a clause as part of a condition when renewing business licenses, where owners and operators must pledge to commit themselves to holding no plastic straw awareness campaigns.
The state government along with its local councils will embark on education and awareness campaigns to remind consumers to refrain from requesting for plastic straws and encourage them to bring their own, and ideally switch to environmentally-friendly material.
According to Hee, Selangor state departments and agencies have also been directed to halt single-use plastics from today, in line with Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-use Plastics 2018-2030 that was approved by the Federal government.
He added it was important that people in Selangor do their part in protecting the environment.
“Selangor has a population of 3.2 million, and if everyone uses a plastic straw every day, that figure will come to about 100 million monthly.
“This a huge quantity. We want to reduce its use, because the plastic straw will end up in rivers, drains, landfills and the sea. In beach clean-up efforts, 99 per cent of waste are plastic straws. So, it is high time that consumers are made aware of this and assist in reducing pollution,” said Hee.