| Rokiah Mahmud |
THE Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) at the Ministry of Development is stepping up its ‘No Plastic Bag’ campaign, as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce the use of plastic and plastic waste products.
The slogan, ‘It takes a nation to end plastic pollution’, emphasises the involvement of all parties, including private individuals, public, private institutions and organisations, to preserve the environment and keep it free from pollution, for the benefit of future generations.
According to statistics by JASTRe, 16 per cent of the waste disposal being delivered to Sungai Paku is composed of plastic waste produce.
Since plastic is non-biodegradable, it is capable of producing toxic compounds as it deteriorates, which may pose harm to our environment.
In Brunei Darussalam, 20 per cent of household waste is plastic, especially during the festive season.
The number is expected to grow, with an estimated rate of one million plastic bags.
Despite the reduction of waste, the country still has the highest level of waste per head, when compared to neighbouring countries.
The data also shows 1.4 kilogrammes of waste being produced per head, despite several measures undertaken to reduce the levels of waste.
A 2015 survey conducted by JASTRe at four major stores showed that nearly 3,000 to 8,000 of plastic bags are used on Saturdays and Sundays.
Out of these figures, 144,000 to 393,600 were used annually by department stores during weekends. This excludes the amount being used during weekdays, or those used at convenience shops, night markets, and food stalls across the country.
The figures are a cause for concern, as the disposal of plastics requires more land.
What is more worrying is that even if the plastic waste deteriorates, it will produce toxic particles that could pollute land and water resources under the ground.
If incinerated, it will emit carcinogenic dioxins that may cause cancer.
Collective efforts are also required to tackle the issue of waste disposal found floating along Brunei River, or those collected under houses in Kampong Ayer and its surrounding, or those washed up on the river bank.
JASTRe and the National Main Committee for Cleanliness, co-chaired by the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health, recently implemented an integrative project conducted at two locations in Kampong Ayer and had positive significant results.
It is also hoped that once the project has been completed, the identified areas will remain clean.
In a 2015 survey, 80 per cent said that they supported the ‘No Plastic Bag Weekend’ initiative.
Twenty per cent of the respondents said they use recyclable bags on a daily basis, 52 per cent chose Thursday as an additional day for the initiative, and 18.5 per cent said they preferred Mondays.
At the same time, 64 per cent acknowledged the negative impact of plastic bags, and supported the drive to curb their use in Brunei.
Since the ‘No Plastic Bag’ initiative was launched in 2011, feedback from several participating stores indicated that they have successfully reduced the cost of purchasing plastic bags during weekends.
Last April, JASTRe added Thursday to the ‘No Plastic Bag’ initiative, as part of the ongoing drive to make Brunei a plastic-free nation in accordance with the government’s concept of a plastic bag-free Brunei by 2019.
The remaining days of the week will be added in phases, with Wednesday to be included in July, Tuesday in October and Monday in December.