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People nowadays rely heavily on plastic bags in their daily routines, especially for groceries
This largely due to convenience, as plastic bags are lightweight, durable, and waterproof. They are also easier for people to store and reuse when carrying heavier or larger items, as mentioned by Olivia C (2024).
Despite their convenience, the low production cost of plastic bags has contributed to their widespread usage, especially in retail and grocery stores, where businesses aim to minimise costs.
Nevertheless, this widespread usage of plastic bags comes with serious environmental consequences that are often overlooked by the public
Research by Chamas et al. (2020) indicates that different types of plastic require vastly different amounts of time to decompose, depending on their thickness and environmental conditions.
For instance, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is commonly used in plastic bags, takes about 2.3 years to break down on land and 3.4 years in marine environments. However, it is not biodegradable and may contribute significantly to long-term pollution if not disposed of properly.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), used in plastic bottles, takes around 250 years to degrade on land and 58 years in the ocean. For thicker applications like pipes, the breakdown period may be even longer — up to 5,000 years on land and 2,300 years in marine environments.
The long decomposition time may lead to serious environmental challenges, particularly in marine environments.
In contrast, polylactic acid (PLA), also known as biodegradable thermoplastic polyester, is made from renewable resources, making it more sustainable
It decomposes faster in industrial composting conditions, with an estimated half-life of 21 years, but decomposes more slowly in marine environments, taking around 7.5 years, due to lower temperatures and less microbial activity.
Therefore, despite its limitations, biodegradable plastic is the most suitable and can be regarded as the most sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, especially for industrial use.
This is because it is derived from renewable resources, reduces long-term environmental pollution, and promotes a healthier ecosystem for future generations.
Due to the widespread use of plastic bags in our country, paired with the lack of awareness and common sense among individuals regarding the consequences of improper disposal, many of these plastic bags end up being thrown in rivers, and eventually the sea
This type of behaviour significantly contributes to the degradation of marine systems.
For example, the Terengganu Fisheries Department recorded 31 sea turtle deaths in the first three months of 2022. One of the contributing factors was, of course, marine pollution, particularly plastic waste.
Sea turtles often mistake floating plastic for jellyfish, their natural prey. Ingesting these plastics can result in a blockage in their digestive systems, ultimately causing starvation and death.
This reported issue clearly highlights the severe impact of plastic pollution on marine life. The ingestion of plastic waste by sea turtles is a direct effect of improper plastic disposal. Hence, addressing plastic pollution is very crucial to not only protect land environments, but also to preserve marine biodiversity.
Several well-known consumer retailers such as NSK, Mydin, and Watsons have already shown their commitment to achieving zero plastic use by 2030
They have stopped providing plastic bags and now require customers to bring their own bags. This initiative can significantly reduce plastic waste and raise public awareness about the importance of sustainable practices.
Hopefully, such efforts will inspire other companies to implement eco-friendly practices for the benefit of the environment. If more businesses and corporations adopt similar initiatives, we can build a more sustainable future and achieve the goal of a Zero Plastic Malaysia by 2030.
This story is part of the YouthSAYS initiative and is the personal opinion of the writer.
About the contributor:
Yasmien Nazira Hanis is a first-year student at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), majoring in law. She is passionate about creating a positive impact on society and firmly believes that every small effort counts.
In the future, she hopes to become a successful individual in the legal field, contributing meaningfully to justice and fairness by advocating for those in need, upholding the rule of law, and promoting integrity within the community.
Image via Yasmien Nazira Hanis (Provided to SAYS)
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