How To Curb This Issue?

Is it wrong to use plastic? The answer is no. However, it becomes an offense when plastic is used only once and then discarded. Disposal of plastic after only one use causes dumping of plastic waste and this damages the environment.

The use of disposable plastics is the most important and popular phrase for 2018 especially in the context of fighting for environmental sustainability. In fact, for 2019, this phrase remains important because the "war" to stop the use of disposable plastics is a difficult and long struggle as society is accustomed to the practice of disposing of plastics after using it only once.

Yes for Organic Bags, No for Plastic Bags
Source: Momspresso

To encourage community involvement and understanding in the struggle to stop the use of disposable plastics then we need to look at the amount of plastics produced and its effects. A study of plastic pollutionconducted by Jenna R. Jambeck with several other researchers and published in a refereeing journal entitled Science in 2015 showed that of the 192 coastal countries, Malaysia is ranked eighth as the world's largest producer of plastic waste.

The study also estimates that for 2010, Malaysia produced 0.94 million tonnes of wasted plastic waste and about 40 percent of it was dumped into the ocean. Of the total solid waste produced in Malaysia, 13 percent of it is plastic waste.

The most widely used types of plastic are plastic bottles and bags. In 2016, a total of 480 billion plastic bottles were sold. It is said that one million plastic bottles are sold every minute or 20,000 bottles every second. Of these total plastic bottles sold, only 50 percent were recycled. As for plastic bags, according to a report published by the UnitedNations Environment Program (UNEP) entitled Single-use Plastic: A Roadmap forSustainability, it is estimated that between one to five trillion plastic bags are used annually and most are used only once.

In Malaysia, efforts to reduce the use of plastic have begun with the "Plastic Bag Free Day Campaign." The state of Penang was the first state to implement the program in 2009. This was followed by Selangor and Melaka, both in 2011. While in 2017, Penang and Selangor began charging 20 sen for plastic bags requested by customers. As for plastic straws, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan will begin to provide awareness on the disadvantages of plastic straws starting in 2019 while the complete ban on such straws in Malaysia will begin in 2020.

Timeline of 'No Plastic Policy in Selangor'
Source: The Star

Based on the above explanation, it can be concluded that efforts to curb the problem of plastic use will intensify over time. It is expected that the rules on the use of plastic will be more stringent in the future. In fact, the time will come when the use of plastic will be completely banned. Therefore, the Malaysian society must be prepared to face the situation. Ideally, make plastic reduction as one of the new year resolutions to educate yourself to be a plastic-free consumer.

What can we do to help?

The use of plastic-based materials is undeniably very beneficial especially in terms of cost because it is cheaper. But without realizing it, it causes a variety of endless problems that damage the environment due to the attitude of some of us who take the environmental issues lightly when throwing away bottles, food packaging and plastic bags at will.

It is not too late for us to change the situation and it must start from ourselves in ensuring that this plastic waste problem is no longer a problem that can be detrimental to daily life. The Eat This portal also lists a few methods that can be practiced in reducing the use of plastic in daily life.

 

1. Say no to a plastic straws

A good start is to reject the use of plastic straws because without it you can still sip your drinks. If you are not comfortable, why not spend a little by buying an metal or paper straws that is now widely sold.

2. Reuse bottled drinks

Among other alternatives, try to reuse plastic bottles of mineral water that you bought instead of discarding them. It is not really difficult to wash the bottle and fill it with water.

3. Buy your own tumbler

Most of your favorite coffee shops use plastic cups - Why not invest some of your money by buying a tumbler to fill your favorite coffee. It looks stylish!

4. Bring a spoon, fork yourself

Honestly it is indeed harassing but bringing your own spoon and fork actually gives you more advantages including hygiene issues.

5. Take away using your own container

The best example is a cafe at IKEA that uses its own container policy if you want to take away food. Why not practice it too if going to another restaurant?

6. Bring a recycling bag

Always keep recycled bags in the car or put them in the bag because we will never know when we need them.

7. Reject the use of plastic bags

When going to the supermarket, we ourselves have to insist on not using plastic bags even if offered by the cashier when paying. Even now, every plastic bag is charged 20 sen.

9 Tips for Less Living With Plastic
Source: Less Plastic

References

CHEN, G., 2020. Ensuring Accountability In 20Sen Plastic Bag Charge. [online] The Star Online. Available at: <https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2019/11/01/ensuring-accountability-in-20sen-plastic-bag-charge> [Accessed 30 July 2020].

TAALUR RAMSEY, B., 2020. 15 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Consumption | Eat This Not That. [online] Eat This Not That. Available at: <https://www.eatthis.com/ways-to-reduce-plastic/> [Accessed 30 July 2020].