KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — The largest contributors of total production waste in Malaysia are food and plastic, caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was reported saying.
According to a statement published by the Borneo Post, the minister said Malaysians produced 32 per cent food waste followed by 19.9 per cent plastic waste.
In conjunction with Earth Day yesterday, he urged people to become more environmentally conscious.
This year, the theme for the Earth Day is “End Plastic Pollution” which is aimed at educating the public on how to make a fundamental change in attitude and behaviour when it comes to the use of plastics.
“The society must reduce the use of plastic bags and replace them with recycled bags, or biodegradable plastic or even paper bags,” he said.
Wan Junaidi stressed that plastic residues contain hazardous chemicals.
He added if a landfill is not managed properly, the plastic waste generated will find its way to the sea and compromise the quality of the marine environment.
“This can cause harm to humans, plants, aquatic life and also wildlife.
“The decay and disposal of plastic bags also contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases that affect global warming, and can bring impact on the human food chain,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said the Ministry has taken various measures to create awareness among Malaysians, including organising the annual National Environment Day and other environmentally-friendly programmes involving non-profit groups and nature-lovers clubs.
“These groups have carried out beach-cleaning activities, among others.
“Ongoing efforts are being undertaken by the ministry to introduce environmental education subjects at school level to create a sense of responsibility and concern among the younger generation towards the environment,” he added.
Wan Junaidi said that the task to preserve and conserve the environment should not solely be placed on the government.
“I also want to encourage public participation in the ‘Environmental Partner Programme’ where every community can be the eyes and ears of the government, in reporting pollution cases that occur around their areas,” he said.
He added the Ministry has high hopes that all the initiatives would raise awareness among Malaysians to take better care of the environment.
“Together, we can address the environmental pollution, particularly marine pollution so as to protect marine life from plastic waste.
“With the involvement of all parties, we will strive to preserve and conserve the Earth that we live in for the benefit of the present and future generations,” he said.
Earth Day celebration falls on April 22 every year and is meant to appreciate the environment and raise awareness on global environmental issues and activism.
