How do you define loving your environment? I define two things separately. ‘Loving’ means to care and ‘environment’ means your surroundings. Early this year of 2010, the Selangor government decided to make Saturday a ‘No Plastic Bag Day’. Well, congratulations. When I read the morning newspaper within my break time before late afternoon class, all I have to say to this is I was very doubtful how this decision would work. The Selangor government, Parti Pakatan Rakyat, had declared that Saturday is a ‘No Plastic Day’ at all hyper and supermarkets. Oh yeah, they just had to choose a weekend out of all the days. I understand why they chose that day but, jeez, as doubtful I was, oh well, we’ll see how it’ll turn out.
It has been almost three months since the declaration. I don’t know if it’s just me who is oblivious or stupid but my doubt has the right to be doubtful after all. In my view, I have not seen how much this has work for our society. Yes, I know it has just been three months but, I have a big doubt that it will teach Malaysians to save the environment. I am actually a bit disappointed as this is the only way our government had done to so-called save our environment. I am not saying this ‘No Plastic Day’ won’t work at all. However, I would say that it would take more than a year for the Selangor society to learn not to use plastic bags for grocery shopping.
Here are my reasons why I disagree. First, Malaysians are not that very courteous (no offence). If they can throw kulit rambutan or even kulit durian out of their car window while driving, I doubt that they would actually care about plastic bags. See how innovative Malaysians are? As harsh as I may sound, for 20cent per plastic bag used on Saturday, I don’t mind paying at all.
Second, it has been a problem for us to not have plastic bags on Saturday at any hyper/supermarkets. Why? You’re going grocery shopping. You don’t buy just eggs and milk, you buy many things, which I doubt would fit into 10 environment bags you bought compared to the plastic bag you would get. One of those environment bag cost you at least RM5. While a plastic bag cost you 20cents. Oh sure, I’d would buy the environment bag instead because it’s RM4.80 more expansive to save the environment.
Third, not using plastic bags on Saturday at any hyper/supermarket is very troublesome for everyone especially for those working during weekdays and only have weekends for grocery shopping and tending to their children that would cry all over the floor for a toy. Yes, those people who work during the weekdays would only have the weekends to actually spend time with their family. Better yet for them to face the hyper/supermarket with two trolleys of 1 month supply of groceries with no plastic bags. I feel sorry for you, but then again, many don’t mind paying 20cents. And hey, I’m not suggesting they should raise the price of the plastic bags.
Ok, I have complained a lot but I have my reasons and views. The reason why I disagree with the idea is that if you really want to teach the society to save the environment as you have said, then there are other ways. You can start at learning institutions; primary, secondary and higher learning. Kids and teenagers learn faster. They have better cautiousness, believe it or not and they get influenced by their friends very easily. Besides, not many Malaysians know how to use the rubbish bins. So, let’s start from there. I know that I keep my sweet wrappers in my handbag until I find the rubbish bin somewhere.
And yes, I have the biggest problem with the high-density polyethylene, which is used in the hyper/supermarkets. This type of plastic bag has the characteristic to crinkle, a greater degree of strength than other plastic films and a lack of ability to stretch. Yes, it decomposes easily but it is the most dangerous because it is made by various chemicals that will affect us big time in the future. It’s worst than those low density plastic bags.
Now, the question is, what should we do? Have you guys seen how the Western do their grocery shopping? If you refuse to purchase the environment bags and refuse to use plastic bags, then I suggest starts using paper bags. Paper bags are recycled and the easiest to decompose. It might be expansive for the government to work on this; to use paper bags but if you really want to talk on saving the environment, do it properly.
I criticised a lot but this is how I would like to express my opinion. Imposing ‘No Plastic Bag’ day is pretty heavy for people who… how should I say this nicely? Who some of them don’t even know how to use the rubbish bins. So, people, learn to use the rubbish bins and please don’t throw any kulit durians out of the car while driving. Thank you.
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