THE Federal Territories will ban single-use plastics by 2021, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.

Other states, meanwhile, will impose a levy on petroleum-based plastics, she said.

“There will be a ban in the Federal Territories on single-use plastics, like bags and straws.

“The ban will serve as a baseline, as we (Federal Territories) are leading the other states.

“Other states can impose levies. We give liberty to state governments… we cannot have a one-size-fits-all policy,” Yeo said at the launch of the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics in Kuala Lumpur today.

She said the levy will be used to “give back to the people”, citing the distribution of biodegradable shopping bags as an example.

“Eventually, these (biodegradable) shopping bags will be used widely, after consumers undergo a change in behaviour and perspective.”

The roadmap is a national strategy to cut plastic waste and ensure cost-effective alternatives to conventional plastics are implemented in three phases over 12 years, said the Bakri MP.

“Major retailers and chains, and major chain restaurants are subject to the ban or levy.

“We have discussed the matter with both Pakatan Harapan and opposition-ruled states, and a consensus was reached, that in three years’ time, we aim to have zero single-use plastics in Malaysia.”

She said a major goal is to create biodegradable plastics that are cheaper than petroleum-based ones, so as to not financially burden the people.

“We also want to develop the green industry, to find viable alternatives to conventional plastics. We see plastics being used daily nationwide.

“We hope to create alternatives to plastic rubbish bags that are sent to landfill sites. The plastics we currently use will not biodegrade for 500 years. Our goal is to make bags that can biodegrade in a year.”

Yeo said the roadmap is a “living document” that will be reviewed throughout the three phases.

She added that the government’s role is to catalyse and facilitate the growth of alternatives to conventional plastics.

“The roadmap is to ensure everyone understands, over the next three years, what is being implemented by the different states.

“I’m announcing it at the national level so that people and businesses know about it, and they can start investing in biodegradable products and alternatives to conventional plastics.” – October 17, 2018.