RECENTLY, when I went to a bookstore and bought three books, the cashier asked if I would like a plastic bag and I declined.
Usually this is where I will pay for the books, gather them up and then head for the exit.
But before I could do that, the cashier placed a strip of paper to hold the books together.
Well, that was something different. But more than that, it was a simple alternative to just giving out plastic bags. On another occasion, I bought a pair of trousers, and knowing very well that no plastic bag would be given, I was prepared to just stuff it in my bag.
But to my pleasant surprise, the cashier neatly placed the trousers in a makeshift paper bag, sealed it with a cellophane tape before handing it over to me.
One shoe shop, meanwhile, placed newly bought shoes in a bag, with their brand imprinted on it.
All these point to how things have evolved since the implementation of the No Free Plastic Bag Day campaign on Jan 1. The ruling covered shopping centres, hypermarkets, departmental stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, nasi kandar outlets, convenience stores in petrol kiosks and chain stores.
With this ruling, those who want plastic bags would have to pay 20 sen, which is placed in the state government's Partners Against Poverty (PAP) fund.
Apart from Penang, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry also launched a nationwide campaign on to get shops and Petronas petrol stations to stop giving out free plastic bags on Saturdays.
As a result, shoppers now have to pay 20 sen on Saturdays if they want a plastic shopping bag. The money collected will be used for environmental conservation programmes and related activities for consumers.
It was not without opposition from plastic manufacturers, while there were those who expressed reservations. This move, for me at least, is not something new. It has been a way of life for me for some time now.
Of course, it is not the same for everyone, but it is not hard to change. It just takes effort. And a change in the mindset that we cannot live without plastic bags.
We should not resist it, but rather embrace this green move. It is the way forward.
Read more: Change our mindset and support 'no free plastic bag' day http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2rwi/Article#ixzz1FgIkMaNS
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