The Sun, April 21, 2010

Georgetown: Plastic manufacturers in Penang, whose production have been hit following the state government’s highly publicized “No Plastic Bag” campaign, have come up with what they claim to be new bio-degradable plastic that is more environment friendly.

Penang, however, is bent on intensifying its campaign against the use of plastic, and is even considering a total ban on polystyrene.

It also turned down a proposal by the Malaysian Plastic Manufacturers Association’s (MPMA) northern branch for “oxo-biodegradable plastics” to be allowed to be given away free by retail outlets on campaign days.

State environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh turned down the idea during a meeting with a delegation from MPMA yesterday, saying the state would maintain its campaign, against the use of all form s of plastic bags.

The state wants supermarkets not to give away free plastic bags from Monay to Wednesday, while retail outlets have been told not to do so on Monday.

The MPMA delegation, led by chairman Khaw Siang Hee, told Phee that local manufacturers had seen their production drop by 30% after the state campaign took ground, with some being affected by as much as 75%.

Phee said the state was not against the plastic industry, and welcomed any move by the industry to introduce materials that are not damaging to the environment.

He pointed out that Hongkong recently required retail outlets to charge HK$0.50 for every plastic bag every day of the week.

He also said Penang is likely to decide soon on a ban on polystyrene at government functions and in municipal council food courts. It would later also require hawkers and retail outlets not to give away polystyrene as a condition for getting their licences.