By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 22: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) plans to introduce UK-made biodegradable plastic technology by the second half of this year, starting with the use of specially produced eco-friendly plastic bags at supermarkets within its jurisdiction, as part of efforts to phase out single-use plastics.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the initiative is being rolled out in conjunction with Earth Day 2025 and forms part of a wider environmental campaign themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’.
“We must move beyond symbolic gestures. Environmental action must be real — and that means reducing plastic,” he said at a press conference after officiating MBKS’s environmental awareness programme with students of Chung Hua Middle School No 3 at the MBKS grounds here today.
Wee stressed that conventional plastic products pose a long-term threat to the ecosystem, with plastic bags taking up to 1,000 years to decompose, plastic straws around 200 years, and plastic bottles approximately 450 years.
“Can you imagine? A plastic bag used for less than 10 minutes could outlive you and your grandchildren. Styrofoam is worse — it doesn’t decompose but breaks down into microplastics, which enter the food chain and end up in our bodies,” he warned.
He noted that microplastics have already been detected in the human body and cannot be naturally eliminated, with long-term health effects still unknown.
To address the lack of viable alternatives to plastic, MBKS is pioneering the adoption of fully biodegradable bags developed using British technology. These new bags are designed to mimic the appearance and feel of traditional plastic but can break down naturally in a short period into organic fatty compounds, eliminating microplastic pollution.
According to Wee, these bags can fully decompose within two years. Field testing is currently underway, and if proven successful, the council will expand the use of this material to other single-use products such as straws and plastic cups.
“This isn’t a commercial venture — it’s a public responsibility. We want to show that environmental protection is about real action, not just slogans,” he said.
In addition to the supermarket rollout in mid-2025, MBKS also plans to extend the use of biodegradable products to its own offices, major hawker centres, and community spaces, subject to public feedback.
“This is a long-term societal investment. Every environmental step we take is for our future generations — to ensure they still have clean water, breathable air, and land unchoked by plastic,” Wee said.
He acknowledged that the transition will take time but expressed confidence that with public participation and technological support, a plastic-free future is within reach.
MBKS, he added, has long been at the forefront of environmental leadership, from education and community engagement to recycling campaigns and public art installations.
“We need to let people know that the power to protect the planet lies in our hands, not just with policymakers. The Earth cannot wait — climate change and plastic pollution are the most urgent crises of our time,” he said.
He also criticised the ineffectiveness of some ‘No Plastic Bag Days’, noting that certain supermarkets continue to hand out plastic bags despite the initiative.
“If we want to implement a true plastic-free policy, we must provide alternatives like paper straws, biodegradable straws, and reusable bags. Otherwise, it becomes a performance rather than meaningful environmental action.”
Wee emphasised that community consultation is crucial before rolling out any green policy.
“Through dialogue with residents, we can better understand their concerns and needs, allowing us to craft policies that are both feasible and sustainable,” he added. — DayakDaily
