No More Plastic Bags And Polystyrene In Selangor From January 2017!
Vendors can be fined up to RM1,000 if they fail to comply to this new ruling starting 1 January 2017.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 22 Dec 2016, 11:11 AM
Rejoice, earth lovers! Selangor will be kick-starting 2017 with its new plastic-free policy that will be implemented starting 1 January.
Thanks to a majority of environmentally conscious Selangor residents, the state will be plastic-free seven days a week, instead of the usual plastic-free Saturdays.
At a press conference yesterday, Green Technology, Environment, Tourism and Consumer Affairs committee chairman YB Elizabeth Wong, informed that all retailers in Selangor will no longer be providing free single-use plastic bags to consumers.
"According to state surveys, 71% of Selangor folk feel that 'No Plastic Bag' on Saturdays only is not enough. We need change and we are committed to this change by making it a policy to fight rampant littering and to address environmental issues like global warming," explained Wong.
That is not the only good news. Selangor is also banning the use of polystyrene containers starting 1 January 2017.
Should retailers and vendors fail to comply to this new ruling and still use polystyrene packages, they will face a fine up to RM1,000.
Green Technology, Environment, Tourism and Consumer Affairs committee chairman YB Elizabeth Wong at the press conference yesterday, 21 December 2017.
Image via Selangor Bebas PlastikWhen applying for their license, retailers will have to also pledge their commitment to go plastic and polystyrene-free. As for consumers, they will have to pay 20 sen for each plastic bag they ask for.
"The maximum fine is RM1,000 and shoppers will be charged a minimum of 20 sen for single-use plastic bags," said Wong, as reported by The Star today, 22 December.
According to The Star, the state will waive the charge for plastic bags for certain items like, raw meat, plants and roots covered in sand or soil, flowers, unwrapped loose seeds, prescriptions and poisonous substances and live fish or aquatic products.
You too can show your support for the plastic-free movement. Head over to the Selangor #BEBASPLASTIK website and pledge your support for a plastic-free Selangor!
