KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will adhere to a ban on Styrofoam containers if the government decides to enforce it.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council would also hold campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of using Styrofoam containers among the public.
“If the ban is a decision of our authorities, MPP will follow through and persuade the public on this cause through campaigns and persuasion,” Lo said in a text message yesterday.
He was commenting on the Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC’s) decision to ban the use of Styrofoam containers at food outlets under its jurisdiction effective Jan 1. Minister of Local Government Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh had said the green initiative would be introduced to other areas in the state.
Lo pointed out that Styrofoam containers are not environmentally friendly.
“It is a fact that Styrofoam is non-degradable and therefore bad for the environment. So paper bags are the most likely (replacements),” he said.
Styrofoam takes about 500 years to decompose and the production of Styrofoam containers releases greenhouse gases.
Short-term side effects include eye, cardiovascular, skin and gastroenteritis ailments.
The containers also store water and have the potential to become mosquito breeding grounds.