PETALING JAYA: While some Malaysians have responded to the call to reduce single-use plastics, others are still ignorant of the call and remain complacent with plastic usage.

       Student Aidil Iman Aidid said staying prepared with a backpack filled with zero-waste alternatives is his key in reducing plastic use.

       “This usually comes in the form of things like my own water container, cutlery set, food container and some mesh bags to pack food.

       “This is easier to implement when you’re a student as you’re already carrying your own bag,” he said.

       This is, however, not the case for most students.

       Aidil said that there was simply too much plastic waste on his university campus which led him to hold a “Plastic-free Friday” campaign during Ramadan at his college’s bazaar.

       “Prior to buying, they don’t consider bringing a tote or their own zero-waste kit because they know that the vendors will give them a bag or packaging for free.

       “That convenience takes away our preparation to have our zero-waste kit with us,” he said as he urged more Malaysians to reduce throwaways.

       Fresh graduate Nor Ariani Wahida Mohd Nor has opted to bring her own metal straw when she dines in at restaurants.

       “But I think my hometown in Negri Sembilan is not really enforcing the straw ban,” she said, adding that she always has a folded tote bag with her or a used plastic bag folded in my bag.

       “I also bring water bottles every time I go out,” the 23 year-old said.

       Nor Ariani is disappointed whenever she sees litter floating around.

       “Last Friday I passed by the night market during closing time at around 11pm, and there were so many dirty plastic bags lying around.

       “It’s not a norm here to bring your own bag to a night market. I agree that I’m guilty of that too sometimes, but I wish there was a better ‘no plastic’ initiative that people can comply with,” she said.

       Final year student Muhd Zaim Nur Zaini, 23, believes that reducing plastics should be a collective effort.

       “Personally, I do use my own containers for take outs, decrease my usage of plastic straws, and bring my own bags during grocery shopping. However, this effort will only be successful when everyone is practising it,” he said.

       Muhd Zaim added that due to the lack of enforcement and awareness, there is a declining momentum in his immediate community when it comes to the reduction of single-use plastics, with the effort confined only to a small number of adherents.

       According to Statista.com, the estimated value of annual food plastic packaging consumption in Malaysia amounts to 148 thousand metric tonnes, with an annual per capita plastic packaging consumption equal to 16.78kg in 2020.

       This is despite the implementation of the no-free plastic bag ruling that began in some municipalities in 2011, with Penang making it an every day affair early on.