Yeo: Do away with single-use plastic - The Star

25 Sept 2018

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is aiming to do away with single-use plastic by 2030, as the country tries to shed its reputation as one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the world.

At the forefront of this mission is the Roadmap to Zero Single-Use Plastic 2018-2030, which will be unveiled on Oct 17, says Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.

“Malaysia is the eighth largest producer of plastic waste in the world. Plastic waste is the second biggest type of waste in the country after food.

“We need a proper roadmap with clear plans on how we can reduce and even better, eliminate the consumption of single-use plastic by 2030,” Yeo said at a town-hall session here.

The session was held to gather stakeholders’ feedback on plastic waste, which would be incorporated into the drafting of the roadmap.

To encourage people to stop using single-use plastics, Yeo said the government should find ways for alternative solutions that were not only affordable, but accessible to all.

“At the same time, our mission to reduce consumption of single-use plastics must not kill existing plastic manufacturers. We want to help them and everyone else prepare for the future,” said Yeo.

The roadmap will be launched at the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia.

In a statement, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar called on the relevant authorities to suspend all unlicensed plastic waste recycling factories in Selangor.

According to Bernama, the Kuala Langat MP said the unabated recycling activities continued to pollute the environment and posed health risks to nearby residents in his constituency.

He said the activities continued despite his order last month to the Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MDKL) to suspend the operations of all plastic waste recycling factories in Kuala Langat.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/25/yeo-do-away-with-singleuse-plastic/#LGHMhD6V8kAr9A5s.99

Yeo ‘single’ again after ditching plastic - The Star

14 Sept 2018

PETALING JAYA: Cabinet minister Yeo Bee Yin (pic) has openly declared the status of her relationship with plastic material.

The Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister is going through a break-up with single-use plastic.

In fact, Yeo is challenging her fellow colleagues at the ministry to also leave their unhealthy relationship with single-use plastic.

The government wants to steer Malaysia towards a plastic-free future, starting with the ministry.

In a cheeky Facebook video, Yeo challenged ministry staff with three simple challenges – no plastic bottles on tables at all meetings, no straws, and no plastic wrapping on food.

Although it was aimed at ministry staff, the video posted on her Facebook page has gone viral among netizens who laud the country’s new green direction.

Yeo launched the “Let’s Break Up with Single-Use Plastic” campaign on Sept 7 during the ministry’s monthly meeting in Putrajaya.

“Imagine if a visitor comes to your house and pollute your house (with plastic), how would you feel? That is what our marine life – fish and turtles – is facing now.

“When plastic breaks down, it becomes microplastics. Who will eat the microplastics? Fish. And who will eat these fish? Us. So we will be eating plastic unless we become vegetarian,” she said during the launch.

The campaign is a lead-up to the ministry’s unveiling of a nationwide roadmap to zero single-use plastic at the 9th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia in October.

“We will create a future that has no biodegradable plastic,” Yeo said.

“Before announcing the road­map, we want to challenge Malay­sians to reduce plastic. We will lead by example.

“This is not a campaign by the minister; this is a campaign by the ministry.”

According to a 2015 study, Malaysia is the eighth largest global producer of mismanaged plastic waste, generating 4,505,717kg of plastic waste a day.

This is partly due to Malaysia’s huge plastic industry.

According to Yeo, Malaysia is not only the largest plastic exporter in Asean, it is also the third largest producer of plastic wrapping in the world.

The trained chemical engineer has a plan for Malaysia to lead the change in the global plastic problem – to transform the plastic industry from petroleum-based to bioplastic that is biodegradable.

“Our industry will be greener and we can save the world, as well as create job opportunities (in this new industry),” she said.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/14/yeo-single-again-after-ditching-plastic/#uysMfgCZbZX1wTFP.99

Call to ban import of plastic waste - The Star

27 Sept 2018

The government should stop the import of plastic waste instead of imposing a RM15 levy for every tonne of the scrap brought into Malaysia, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).

“CAP calls for a total ban on the import of plastic waste to protect public health and our environment.

“CAP is very frustrated with the Malaysian government because it does not recognise the scale of the problem,” association president S.M. Mohamed Idris said in a statement yesterday.

On Tuesday, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamarudin said a RM15 levy would be imposed when the freeze on approved permits (APs) on plastic waste import ends on Oct 23.

Zuraida made the announcement after visiting several landfills and garbage recycling outlets in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor.

The imported garbage, mostly plastic, is believed to be imported from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Malaysia is slowly becoming a recycling hub for foreign trash material since China banned the import of plastic waste.

Mohamed Idris said CAP had anticipated such issues arising in Malaysia after the China ban and had written to several ministries and the National Solid Waste Man­agement Department about its concerns.

According to him, the department had talked about a ruling to control plastic waste import and imposing stringent requirements on premises and import licences.

“However, the control measures and enforcement have proven inadequate, based on the pollution and mushrooming of illegal recycling factories in many parts of Malay­sia,” he said.

Fomca president Datuk N. Mari­muthu said Malaysia already had problems with domestic garbage disposal and should not take on additional trash from other countries.

“We have a clear food wastage issue in our country with people dumping it all over the place. This is threatening to contaminate our water sources,” he said.

Marimuthu said the government must take a clear stand and do what was right for the nation.

“Why talk about imposing the RM15 levy? Just stop importing garbage. Malaysia cannot be a dumping ground as we already have far too much of our own trash,” he said.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia honorary secretary Meenakshi Raman concurred, saying: “It is not about imposing levies; it is about not allowing the waste to come into the country at all.”

If other countries banned garbage import, she added, there was no reason for Malaysia to become an importer of waste.

The government’s priority should be protecting the environment and public health, she said.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/27/call-to-ban-import-of-plastic-waste-imposing-rm15-levy-will-not-help-to-solve-garbage-disposal-issue/#6yyAZY4DobyriyBU.99

Malaysia targets nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year: Minister - CNN

28 May 2018

The Malaysian government will work to educate the public and raise awareness before introducing a nationwide ban on plastic bags within the span of a year, said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in an interview published by online news portal MalaysiaKini on Monday (May 28).

Zuraida said she believes awareness of why the government wants to implement the ban is still low, despite similar bans enforced in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Melaka and Johor.

"Malaysians still have the attitude of wanting everything so easy, they want to have plastic bags so they can bring their items home,” she said, adding that the public should give the government some time to hold public engagements and educational programmes.

In February, Pakatan Harapan politician Dr Mahathir Mohamad criticised Barisan Nasional’s plan to “reintroduce plastic bags in Selangor, calling it “bad for the future” due to the amount of waste it will generate.

In a Facebook video, the current Prime Minister added that his party encourages the use of reusable bags.

Drawing comparisons between both parties, Dr Mahathir said: "Barisan Nasional is for the past, dirtying the environment with plastic, but Pakatan Harapan is for the future, where bags like this (reusable bags) will be reused again and again."

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association said in April that every Malaysian throws away 300 plastic bags a year on average.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-targets-nationwide-ban-on-plastic-bags-within-a-year-10283100

With 'unforgettable' bag, Malaysian shoppers paid to cut plastic waste

3 April 2018

The bag sports a turtle, fish or whale design. (Photo: Facebook/Tesco Malaysia)

British supermarket group Tesco has launched a scheme in Malaysia based on bags with barcodes, giving customers discounts on their shopping every time they reuse the bags.

The "unforgettable bag" was launched in 11 Tesco stores in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur and the southern state of Johor on Tuesday (Apr 3) in an effort to shift away from single-use plastic bags and reduce waste.

Azliza Baizura Azmel, a director at Tesco Malaysia, said 70 per cent of customers have their own carrier bags but leave them in the car rather than bringing them into the store.

"That's why we thought of the idea of the unforgettable bag - it's a bit of a push for them," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The new bags will be sold for 0.50 ringgit (US$0.13) each, and customers will get a free replacement if the bag is torn or damaged. Tesco will offer customers a cash rebate of 0.20 ringgit (US$0.05) for every bag reused.

Each year between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used globally, according to industry estimates, with fewer than 10 per cent recycled. Many end up in the world's oceans or dumped in landfill.

More than 8 million tonnes of plastics enter the ocean each year, and marine experts fear there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, measured by weight.

Plastic degrades over time into tiny particles which are ingested by marine life, harming the food chain and environment.

In an attempt to cut down on waste and single-use plastic, many supermarkets around the world charge customers for plastic bags, promote reusable bags, and offer free recycling services.

Meanwhile, more than 40 countries have banned, partly banned or taxed single-use plastic bags, including parts of Malaysia and India, China, France, Rwanda, Italy and Kenya.

The "unforgettable bag" is made from a recyclable plastic that is more durable than conventional plastic bags, Tesco said, and sports a turtle, fish or whale design to highlight the risks plastic waste poses to sea creatures.

The Tesco trial - the first of its kind by a major hypermarket in Malaysia - limits the bag discounts to two per transaction.

The scheme will be extended to all Tesco's 56 stores in Malaysia from Jun 1. If a success, the retailer hopes it will be adopted by other Tesco stores across Asia.

The barcoded bags are a starting point towards phasing out all plastic bags from Tesco shops in Malaysia, said Azmel.

Every Malaysian on average throws away 300 plastic bags a year, according to the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association.

Von Hernandez, global coordinator of the Break Free From Plastic movement in Manila, welcomed the Tesco initiative but said governments and business in Asia needed to do more.

"We've seen governments - whether at city or national level - take action to restrict the use of single-use plastics," said Hernandez. "That has to be matched by the corporate sector."

"There is increasing momentum for similar restrictions in many parts of the world because this crisis is growing."

Source: Reuters

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/with-unforgettable-bag-malaysian-shoppers-paid-to-cut-plastic-10100316

Recognition for green effort - Star Metro Perak

17 Sept 2018

Ng (sixth from right) with the Jelapang community during a recycling project.

KOPERASI Alam Hijau Perak Berhad (Kohijau) won two awards at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia awards ceremony.

The event in collaboration with United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saw Kohijau winning in the Climate Change category, and the Best of the Best Award 2018.

This was the second year such an event was organised by JCI Malaysia. There were a total of 17 categories.

The award serves to increase awareness of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and for organisations to bring about change through their business activities, innovative products or services and creative contributions toward the goal.

“This is a surprise to all of us, as we are such a small non-governmental organisation (NGO), but with passionate volunteers.

“The big win is the first of its kind for an NGO from Perak and we are very proud of the achievement, more so as we bested bigger corporations and established NGOs,” he said.

Ng said prior to this, Kohijau helped four other communities win awards, including the Premier Award under the Best Innovative Project category won by Rukun Tetangga Jelapang that encouraged the community to supplement their income.

He said last year, Kohijau helped Slim Village emerge third in the National Premier Village award for cleanliness.

“We also helped SMK Raja Perempuan Ipoh emerge national champion in the Toyota Eco Environment project.

“In March this year, we assisted the Selama Police District become the national champion in recycling innovation,” he added.

Ng said Kohijau is grateful to JCI Malaysia for hosting and organising such a prestigious event to reward Malaysian companies and organisations, civil societies and NGOs for their efforts in advancing UN’s SDGs.

He said the Best of the Best Project Award is chosen from the 17 winners based on the most outstanding and sustainable projects, which helps advance the most goals.

The criteria used to select the winners of each category includes how the project is written and presented.

The project must be carried out continuously and sustainable by the organisation staff or volunteers, and not just a one-off affair.

It must also have a large and meaningful impact on the society using a creative and innovative approach.

Ng said Kohijau’s entries were based on its three-year project launched in Jelapang Tambahan in collaboration with the Rukun Tetangga, Perak Solid Waste Management Corporation, and Ipoh City Watch using the social business concept.

The project involved residents from 250 houses, where door-to-door campaigns were used to educate the community to segregate their garbage into recyclables and non-recyclables.

“Collection was carried out twice every month at the centres and the recyclables brought by the residents were weighed.

“The residents were then instantly rewarded with cash according to the weight and type of recyclable contributed.

“Later, a recycling reward point system was introduced and residents were provided with recycling bins for them to drop their recyclables any time at their convenience,” he added.

Ng added to date, some 8,900kg of recyclables had been collected from Jelapang Tambahan and RM3,850 paid out to residents.

He said the recycling rate in this village was 17.5% compared to the average national recycling rate of 10%.

Ng said the 12 illegal dumpsites discovered prior to the recycling campaign had also disappeared and residents were more aware of keeping their environment clean.

“This project has successfully helped salvage 8,900kg of garbage from going to landfills or illegal dumpsites.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/09/17/recognition-for-green-effort-ngo-bags-two-awards-for-its-community-recycling-programme/

Bid to streamline nursing and retirement home services - Star Metro News

19 Sept 2018

Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

THE Penang Old Folks Home Operators Association is urging all nursing and retirement home operators to join them as members.

Association secretary Santok Singh said the move would better regulate and streamline quality of service in the sector.

He said the association had been facing problems in running and managing nursing, ageing and retirement homes due to local government regulations.

“With better regulation and streamlining of service quality in the sector, it is easier to monitor and control the industry.

It is projected to increase to 3.3 million in 2020, based on figures provided by the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences.

He said it was part of the association’s effort to help local government and families to manage the increase of the elderly population.

He said they would submit a proposal to the Chief Minister’s office for assistance and consideration.

“Malaysia is on the same boat with other developing countries in Asia on this issue.

Senior citizens resting at the Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

“We are having an ageing society issue and it is expected that the numbers are going to increase and multiply in times to come.

“It is indeed an issue that needs urgent attention from all stake holders.

“In view of increasing ageing population which cannot be ignored, we the association members wish to join hands with the state government to find solution to resolve this non-reversible issue,” he said.

Santok said the proportion of the aged population would be higher in the urban than the rural area.

“The change in the demographic pattern of the aged population will also influence the distribution of healthcare resources.

“Frailty is often compounded by problems such as urinary incontinence, instability, falls and acute confusional states.

“Few elderly persons can escape the accumulation of chronic pathologies as they grow older.

“Consequently, multiple pathologies resulting in multiple symptoms are a common phenomenon in the elderly.

“Incontinence, for example, is a common occurrence and for those taking care of these people, it is a time consuming and sometimes, an unpleasant task,” he said.

He added that retirement homes would be ideal as residents would be among those of the same age group and surrounded by professional helpers.

For details, contact 012-4922822 or e-mail santok5060@gmail.com.