Plastic, Polystyrene Still In Use

BUSINESS owners in Kuala Lumpur are still using petroleum-based plastic bags and polypropylene containers despite the ban coming into effect on Jan 1.
The Federal Territories Ministry made it compulsory for all business owners in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan to use only biodegradable and compostable plastic bags and food containers. Enforcement was supposed to start in January but was delayed to Sept 1.
A random check over the weekend by StarMetro found many traders still not using the environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Take Raja Bot market in Chow Kit for instance; despite it being picked for Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) pilot project to introduce biodegradable packaging last year, the hawkers and traders have continued to use regular plastic bags until today.
A number of hawkers at Overseas Union Garden’s (OUG) wet market in Jalan Kelang Lama, and traders at convenience stores, neighbourhood coffeeshops and wholesale grocers in the area also did not make the switch.
However, several market-goers were seen bringing along tote bags to shop to reduce use of plastic bags.
Federal Territories Bumiputera Trader and Hawkers Association vice-president Muhamad Baba Kutty said enforcement was the only way to force the change.
 
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