Having just recently watched Ronny Chieng’s latest installment on The Daily Show about “Straw Cops”, it once again struck me — our situation on plastic waste in Malaysia is becoming a dire problem. With entire countries shipping plastic wastes to us without plans on taking them back, Malaysia’s landfills will simply grow larger without almost ever shrinking. However, there’s been a step towards the right direction as of late, as state Environment, Green Technology, Science, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian recently announced a ban on plastic straws at all F&B outlets in Selangor.
Ban on Plastic Straws To Be Implemented in Selangor
Starting from the 1st of July, all food and beverage businesses (restaurants and the likes) will be prohibited from providing readily-available plastic straws for customers at self-service counters. Plastic straws will only be given at the request of customers for every drink that was ordered.
Chairman Hee Loy Sian said that all local authorities will include the ban in the terms of business licence application when restaurant operators submit new applications or renew their business licence.
“The main objective of this policy is to educate and increase the level of awareness among residents in Selangor on the long-term impact of the use of plastic, particularly plastic straws on health and the environment.”
He also shared that the implementation of the policy is expected to help the government to control the increasingly significant environmental pollution and encourage recycling or reuse to maintain environmental cleanliness in Selangor.
As of today, many food and beverage outlet operators are very much aware of the problems that plastic cause in the long-run, and have taken initiative to reduce the presence of single-use plastics by not providing them to consumers unless specifically requested for.
Chairman Hee Loy Sian also pointed out that many F&B outlets are already using paper and/or bamboo straws, and some even going as far as to distribute free stainless steel straws to the public. “Therefore, the public are also encouraged to bring their own reusable drink containers and straws.”
Your Thoughts?
Furthermore, chairman Hee Loy Sian also encouraged the public to voice their opinions on the implementation of the campaign and this new policy regarding plastic usage to any department and government agency. “Every proposal or opinion will be given consideration and studied so that this government’s campaign or policy will be successful.”
So, what are your thoughts? Make sure to voice them to us as well!
? Launch Date: 1st July 2019
? Source of Information: The Star
Buy one set Metal Straw at RM8.90 now.
Read Also: Critical Levels: Food Wastage at 3,000 Tonnes Per Day in Malaysia
?We are hiring interns, editors and videographers. Send your resume to career@foodie.my?
Join Our Facebook Groups — KL, Penang, Johor, and Singapore!
