On October 8, 2009, Water, Green Technology and Power Minister, Datuk Peter Chin Fa Kui has announced  in Putrajaya that a campaign to ban the use of plastic bags will be implemented to conserve the environment and promote green technology. For a start, the campaign would be implemented at the ministry level before being expanded to shopping centers and eventually nationwide.

The campaign, although still in the stage of being expanded to the shopping centers, stores and retail shops in Kuala Lumpur have already started promoting the ban of plastic bags. The ones I came across was Ikea and Body Shop, while shopping for Hari Raya. At Ikea, they charge 20 cent for one plastic bag to discourage customers from one-off use of carrier bags and help customers make an environmentally friendly choice. Ikea believes the move will cut total plastic bag use by 20 million next year. The last time I went, I carried a small handbag so I really had to buy a plastic bag but then later during another shopping session, I carry my own handmade tote bag.

As for Body Shop, the company has been Plastic Bag Free in all its stores since 1999. Their sales person will encourage us to bag the items we bought in our own bag. Should we really need a bag, we will be given a recycled paper bag which is made from chlorine free pulps, environmentally friendly inks and water based adhesives

Why ban plastic bags?
Plastic bags have made our lives easier in many ways but unfortunately, they are often not disposed of properly and foul our public spaces not to mention putting pressure on our already scarce Taman Beringin landfill. Furthermore, when released into the earth, the bags emit poisonous chemicals and utterly dangerous to all living things and the environment.

What should we do?
Since the nationwide campaign has yet to kick off, maybe  we can make an early online effort ourselves to help support the campaign to ban the use of plastic bags. Penang has started its campaign by going green every Monday.

When?
Right now, this minute or as at 2.28am as I am writing this post ^_^. Anytime is a good time. (Yes, I am a night owl.)

How?
Ditch the plastic bags; use recycled bag (cloth or canvas) when shopping as well as blog about the campaign.

My effort?
I am doing my bit to support the campaign and am kicking it off personally by hosting a little giveaway, Emila’s Go Green Giveaway, to one lucky winner. But you need to do something really simple for me; leave a comment by discussing your idea on how are you going to support the campaign.

The person who comes up with the best idea will win Emila’s Go Green Giveaway (a combination of my handmade tote bag and my Illustrated 2010 Calendar).Date of closing: 30 November 2009, 8pm. Anybody can enter this giveaway contest; that means locally and internationally.