‘Ban non-biodegradable containers in Sarawak’

KUCHING: The government should ban all non-biodegradable containers, plates and cups for the sake of the environment and health of the people.

Federation of Sarawak Hawkers Association president Kapitan Lim Sin Khee said it was high time for the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to direct all local councils to emulate the initiative of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in banning Styrofoam containers effective January 1 this year.

There are 24 local councils, including two city councils – Kuching South City Council and Miri City Council, under the ministry. SMC is the first local council in the state to launch the campaign.

In the meantime, Lim urged all his members, which number about 20,000 in the state, to stop using styrofoam containers or plastic bags.

“I am all for the ban of styrofoam containers. In fact, businessmen and consumers like you and me should be aware that anything non-biodegradable is harmful to our health and environment, and we should stop using it.

“SMC has done an excellent job on banning styrofoam. This is such an important move that I think other local councils should not wait to do the same,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Lim, who has helmed the federation for 14 years now, said this when asked whether the ministry should come up with a directive for all local councils to emulate SMC’s initiative.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has publicly whispered about extending the ban of styrofoam containers to other local councils, but he did not give specific details.

thesundaypost attempted to get details from Wong, but to no avail.

Styrofoam products are made from polystrene, which is a petroleum-based plastic, and it is non-biodegradable – meaning it could last forever. It is harmful for the environment as it is made with petroleum, which is a non-sustainable resource. In addition, petroleum production creates heavy pollution.

When styrofoam containers, which are widely used probably due to its light weight, are used for food, chemicals can leach into the food, affecting human health and the reproductive systems. This is accentuated if people reheat the food while still in the container.

Lim opined that everyone must play their role by not just stopping to use styrofoam containers, but also cultivate the habit of bringing along a recycle bag to shop.

The people should start now, he stressed, or the environment would continue to deteriorate.

“Not only are we doing it for us, we have to think about our many generations to come. Too many people are using styrofoam containers, and we shall start getting quality containers to buy food.”

He opined a change of mindset would not hurt and traders could alter their usual business style to do their bit for the environment.

“Some 40 years ago, I used tree leaves to wrap fish and prawns. Tree leaves are biodegradable and is a natural fertiliser too,” recalled Lim, who was a fishmonger.