By MANMEET KAUR 

KUALA LUMPUR - AEON Co (M) Sdn Bhd, which runs the Jusco Supermarket, saved up to 10 million plastic bags since the launch of its no plastic bag campaign in January 2008.

Its general manager (corporate social responsibility and corporate branding), Noryahwati Mohd Noh, said the 10 million reduction in plastic bag usage also helped to save energy of 14,640 litres of petroleum which would be required to produce the plastic bags.

She added that prior to the campaign, AEON gave between 80 and 90 million plastic bags to customers every year.

The company was able to collect RM200,000 from sales of plastic bags on the “No Plastic Bag Day” last year, which falls on Saturdays, where customers would have to pay 20 cents for each plastic bag should they insist on having one.

“The collection is not to bring in profit for the company because the money is used to finance projects like planting of trees at the AEON Mahkota Cheras and the social project at the Melaka Hospital” she explained.

When interviewed Centre for Environment Technology and Development Malaysia Chairman Gurmit Singh expressed that the no plastic bag campaign should be carried out every day to reduce the use of non-biodegradable material.

“People should start bringing their own shopping bags and stop using styrofoam containers for takeaways. It is a small step but has proven to be effective. Consumers should opt for this idea as it can change their lifestyle by not wasting things.”

Customers too were more than happy to give thumbs up for the campaign that is considered as a brilliant effort in conserving the environment.

“As consumers we should be aware on why it is important to take care of the environment by carrying the environmental friendly bags and only use the plastic bags as a last resort. Consumers too should not ask for plastic bags if they are only buying a few things,” noted Nurul Aini Abdullah, a consumer when asked on the use of the plastic bags.

On the move by Jusco to impose 20 cents for each plastic bag, most consumers are favourable as this move will serve as a reminder for them to bring their own bags when shopping.

“The charges imposed will encourage the public to bring their own bags as many value money and would not want to spend unnecessarily on something as trivial as a plastic bag,” opined a shopper who only wanted to be known as Eric.

As for Geetha Letchumanan, the move by Jusco is small but very much welcomed as it can help keep Mother Earth alive and kicking for generations to come.


The scene at Jusco on No Plastic Bag Saturdays.

Although there was strong support from customers for the campaign, plastic bag manufacturers were not too happy about the campaign.

Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) president Lim Kok Boon when interviewed by NST says the campaign affects manufacturers whose sole product is the plastic bag.

“We have yet to determine the total losses from this move. However, one manufacturer had indicated that its output of plastic bags went down by half after Penang imposed the three-day ban per week.”

Lim asserted that saving plastic bags does little in reducing overall waste. He explained that plastic waste in Malaysia constitutes seven per cent of municipal solid waste and plastic bags less than two per cent.