MPMA aims to educate the public on the importance of waste management and proper disposal practices to reduce plastics pollution and promote sustainable habits. PETALING JAYA, Selangor, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) commends the Selangor state government's recent decision to extend the "No Plastic Bag Day" campaign to additional days of the week. MPMA’s President, Mr CC Cheah, highlights that this proactive step reflects a strong commitment to promoting sustainable practices and reducing plastic waste throughout Malaysia.
MPMA views this extension as an opportunity to promote responsible plastics use while addressing consumer habits. To further support this initiative, Mr Cheah added that MPMA continues to advocate for the imposition of a 20 cents per plastics carrier bag as a practical measure to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Such a levy acts as an effective reminder for consumers to reduce their dependency on single-use plastics, fostering more responsible and sustainable shopping practices.
Additionally, MPMA encourages plastics bag manufacturers to print messages such as “Reuse me as a garbage bin liner” on plastics carrier bags. This approach not only promotes reuse but also aligns with consumers’ existing habits of purchasing plastics garbage bags for waste disposal. By reusing carrier bags for garbage disposal, consumers can maximise the utility of the bags they pay for, thereby reducing unnecessary waste.
“Plastics bags are affordable and convenient, but with responsible use, they can be part of a more sustainable waste management solution,” said Mr Cheah.
MPMA is also proud to share that its members in the plastics bag manufacturing sector are actively exploring sustainable initiatives. These efforts include the development of bio-based and compostable bags, which offer an alternative to conventional plastics bags. While such initiatives are vital, MPMA emphasises that the root cause of plastics pollution lies in littering and improper waste management. Tackling these issues is essential to achieving long-term environmental benefits.
Since 2015, MPMA has been addressing littering challenge through its “Don’t Be a Litterbug” Campaign, which highlights the importance of individual responsibility in waste disposal. This campaign has been implemented at major national festivals and public events, such as Thaipusam, Chingay celebrations, marathons, Ramadhan bazaars, and night markets. By simply providing adequate waste bins at these events, the campaign significantly reduced manpower and costs required for post-event clean-ups. In addition to providing infrastructure, the campaign educates the public on proper waste separation into recyclables and non-recyclables. Encouraging waste separation at source (SAS) is crucial for increasing recycling rates in Malaysian households. Effective SAS ensures that recyclable materials, including plastics, are directed to recycling facilities where they can be transformed into new products. This effort not only reduces waste but also supports a circular economy.
“We are optimistic that by combining consumer education, practical policies and innovative product development, Malaysia can make meaningful progress toward its sustainability goals,” added Mr Cheah.
MPMA remains dedicated to working alongside the Government to develop and implement more effective measures that promote sustainable plastics use and enhance waste management practices. Through collaboration, MPMA believes a more unified and impactful approach can be established to address the growing challenges of plastic waste and drive progress toward a circular economy in Malaysia.
About MPMAThe Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), established in 1967, is a progressive trade association providing leadership and quality service to its members and the plastics industry. MPMA is a non-profit organisation that serves as the official voice of the Malaysian plastics industry, representing its members and the industry in Government interaction, spearheading the plastics industry’s growth by providing the platforms to assist members to be globally competitive.
MPMA’s current emphasis, inter alia, is to upgrade the technological level of the plastics industry by providing higher technical skills for members, in particular, on Industry 4.0. In all aspects of its activities, MPMA places special attention to its social responsibility towards the environment, by promoting sustainability practices for the protection of the environment and the community.
MPMA currently has about 800 members, which represent about 60 percent of the plastics manufacturers in the country and account for 80 percent of the country’s total production of plastics products.
SOURCE: Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
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http://mpma.org.my/
--BERNAMA 
