Penang has started the ‘No Plastic Bag Day' endeavour and is trying to make it more than a one time affair. The response from Penangites has so far been quite encouraging. Public can accept the idea of refusing to use plastic bags.

I myself have started using less plastic bags; I try not to use any polystyrene either in daily life. I no longer eat food packed in polystyrene or buy anything with polystyrene, to protest its use. Besides that, I never take away food but if I must, my car has at the ready at Tupperware box for packing purposes.

I no longer buy cut fruits from stalls as they use plastic wrappers. I try not to buy anything that uses plastic packaging now.

When I go shopping, I use bags made from recycled items and if I forget to bring them, I refrain from shopping. I have even set up a recycling corner at my house, to recycle waste from my house, to reuse things and to reduce the waste.

It is hard to get others to do the same. For some it is simply impractical to do so or at least, they find it so.

Nevertheless, people must start thinking about the effects of all this waste and the damage plastic bags can do to the environment.

We have to change our attitude towards the issue of climate change; as the National Consumer Campaign organised by Federation Of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) said in its theme - change begins with me. I'm willing to change. Are you?