A survey by the Penang Green Council has revealed that 76 percent of participants were against single-use plastics, said its vice-chairperson and state exco Phee Boon Poh.

Phee said the survey involving 1,948 respondents showed that whilst only less than 15 percent opposed, 60 percent agreed that businesses should be prohibited from giving out single-use plastics.

"They also supported the idea that this must be done by implementing a reward-and-penalty system with consumers bringing their own containers," Phee said in a statement today.

"Half of the respondents said they would dispose of single-use items after usage, 29.5 percent would place them in recycle bins and 19.6 percent will reuse the items," added Phee, who is in charge of the welfare, caring society and environment portfolio.

"The 231 business operators that participated in the survey included restaurants (51.5 percent), food outlets/food courts (22.1 percent), cafes (15.6 percent), hotels and other types of food and beverage operators.

"It is apparent that though a majority opted to provide single-use plastics to consumers for convenience, many were willing to put in the effort by charging for single-use plastics, providing them only upon request and providing refill services for customers who brought their own bottles," Phee noted.

He said the Penang Green Council conducted the survey to understand the public's perception on the implementation of the “no single-use plastics” campaign in Penang mainly for straws and bags.

Targetting two parties - consumers and business operators - Phee said the survey results showed that consumers' vast consumption of plastic was due to its "abundance and availability."

"Plastics were given by default to consumers during their purchases as it were convenient, easily disposed and affordable to business operators," Phee said.

'Pollution charge'

He cited studies which showed that in 2010, Malaysia alone has produced 0.94 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste of which 0.14 to 0.37 million tonnes may have been washed into the oceans.

"This has placed Malaysia as number eight internationally in mismanaged plastic waste pollution while it is the fourth largest plastic exporter in Asean and ranked number 25 in global plastic exports for 2017, " Phee said.

He said there will be no more single-use plastics by 2030 under an ambitious plan that will see local councils imposing a “pollution charge” and a “no straw by default” policy.

In July 2009, Penang started off with a “No Free Plastic Bag” campaign followed by an “Everyday is No Free Plastic Bags Day” campaign in 2011 at all hypermarkets and supermarkets.

This year, Penang kicked off a “No Plastic Straws” campaign, in line with the state's greener concept and to align with the national ambition to be single-use plastics free by 2030.

"Stakeholder engagements will be held throughout the month of March with awareness campaigns running for six months beginning April in Penang," Phee said.