MPMA CHAMPIONS RESPONSIBLE PLASTICS USE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO SELANGOR'S EXPANDED PLASTIC BAG BAN

Mr CC Cheah, President, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA)

PETALING JAYA, Selangor, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) welcomes the Selangor state government’s decision to expand the plastic bag ban as a crucial step towards promoting more sustainable consumer practices.

MPMA President, Mr CC Cheah, expressed his support for the move, saying, "The expansion of the plastic bag ban encourages consumers to adopt using reusable alternatives as carrier bags. On days which the ban is not implemented, we support the continuation of the 20-cent levy as it serves as a practical tool to support this shift in consumer behaviour and provides flexibility for those who may still require plastic carrier bags.”

To further promote reuse, MPMA encourages plastic bag manufacturers to print messages such as “Reuse me as a garbage bin liner” on plastic carrier bags. By reusing carrier bags for waste disposal, consumers can maximise the utility of the bags they pay for, thereby reducing unnecessary purchase of plastic garbage bags for waste disposal.

Malaysians commonly use plastic bags to contain and dispose of waste, which makes them easily visible in landfills. However, their contribution by weight is negligible and their inert property means they do not cause contamination to the landfills. Although a plastic bag ban could reduce its usage among consumers, additional measures such as the effective implementation of waste separation at source (SAS) and improving the collected-for-recycling (CFR) rate are crucial to divert plastics waste from landfills and direct it to recycling facilities.

MPMA continues to support its members in exploring sustainable alternatives, including bio-based and compostable bags. These materials provide new avenues for managing waste in an environmentally friendly manner. However, stakeholders and authorities are encouraged to understand the differences between these materials, particularly their degradation mechanisms and applications. This knowledge is essential for facilitating effective waste separation and disposal for these types of materials. Not to forget that most alternatives have a higher carbon footprint compared to conventional plastics, an environmental trade-off to be made while opting for alternative materials.

Additionally, it is important to note that alternatives are not a complete solution, as they often lack the beneficial properties of plastics, which remain a reliable and versatile material, especially for specific applications such as wet market goods and hawker food. Plastic bags remain convenient for certain applications due to their characteristics and cost-effectiveness, making them necessary for consumers. MPMA therefore would like to call for the ban to not be extended to wet and night markets.

To fully embrace sustainable consumer practices and to promote its adoption among the public, MPMA is dedicated to raising awareness on this shift and advocating for improvements in waste collection and disposal systems. By strengthening waste management infrastructure and policies as well as enhancing public education, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastics.

“Efforts should focus on developing efficient collection systems and recycling facilities to manage plastics waste responsibly,” Mr Cheah added. “Together with the extension of plastic bag ban, these efforts can contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.”

MPMA is actively driving the "Don't Be a Litterbug" campaign, aimed at combating littering and promoting responsible waste disposal. The campaign, launched during events such as Thaipusam, marathons and Ramadan bazaars, integrate the provision of waste bins with public education on proper waste separation. As part of its ongoing commitment, MPMA is dedicated to collaborating with the government, industry and community to develop practical strategies that promote sustainable plastics use and effective waste management.

About Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), established in 1967, is a progressive trade association providing leadership and quality service to its members and the plastics industry. MPMA is a non-profit organisation that serves as the official voice of the Malaysian plastics industry, representing its members and the industry in Government interaction, spearheading the plastics industry’s growth by providing the platforms to assist members to be globally competitive.

MPMA’s current emphasis, inter alia, is to upgrade the technological level of the plastics industry by providing higher technical skills for members, in particular, on Industry 4.0. In all aspects of its activities, MPMA places special attention to its social responsibility towards the environment, by promoting sustainability practices for the protection of the environment and the community.

MPMA currently has about 800 members, which represent about 60 percent of the plastics manufacturers in the country and account for 80 percent of the country’s total production of plastics products.

SOURCE: Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Ms Crystal Cheah
Tel: +03 7876 3027
Email: crystal@mpma.org.my
Website: http://mpma.org.my/

--BERNAMA