THE objectives of the state’s ‘No Single-Use Plastic’ campaign cannot be achieved overnight but will take time.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow made this remark at the launch of the third series of its ‘No Single-Use Plastic’ campaign by Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang (PWMPP) at the Fisherman’s Wharf Food Corner in Sungai Pinang today.
He expressed his hope that the campaign would gain traction at the grassroots level to ensure its widespread success.
“I am thankful that the ‘Cleaner and Greener Campaign,’ which was launched in 2010, continues to receive attention from the state government, MBPP, MBSP, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private companies, and small business owners and entrepreneurs in Penang.
“The campaign’s objectives cannot be achieved in a short period; it will take years. However, along the way, we have also succeeded in making Penang greener, cleaner, and smarter.
“Now, we are focusing on family values and social development,” Chow said during his speech at the event.
Chow also shared an interesting fact that the commonly used word ‘tapau,’ which means takeaway, will be included in the new edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.
“In another 10 to 15 years, I hope to see the word ‘tapau’ associated with takeaways packed in tiffin carriers rather than in plastic packaging,” he added.
PWMPP chairman Madam Tan Lean Kee hoped that the campaign would inspire the community to bring their own containers for takeaways at food courts and hawker centres.
Tan said that prior to this, the campaign had been launched at the Bukit Tengah food court and Taman Chai Leng hawker centre, with the support of the Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.
“This is our initial step towards reducing dependency on single-use plastics and encouraging others to follow suit.
“In 2019, we launched the ‘Bring Your Own Container’ campaign, but it was not successful due to busy lifestyles, where plastic packaging became a convenience.
“According to the National Cancer Registry Report (2012-2016), childhood cancer cases among individuals aged one to 19, particularly those between one and five years old, have increased.
“After learning about this concerning trend, PWMPP decided to relaunch the ‘Bring Your Own Container’ campaign and collaborate with the state Housing and Environment Committee, local councils, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), MBSP, and other relevant parties,” she added.
Tan also thanked the hawkers at the Fishermen’s Wharf Food Corner for their support of the initiative.
As part of the launch, visitors to the food court received tiffin carriers to encourage sustainable takeaway practices.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran highlighted the dangers of plastic pollution, as they can enter the human body as microplastics through marine life when we consume them.
State Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim encouraged the public to revive the traditional practice of bringing their own containers for takeaways.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Alissala Thian