24TH ASIA PLASTICS FORUM (APF) 6 – 7 FEBRUARY 2015 GUJARAT, INDIA Environmental Challenges Faced by the Plastics Industry Mr Lim Kok Boon President, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association Major Challenges . Environmental Issues o Negative perception of plastics amongst public. o Banning and de-selection of plastic products by Government Agencies, State Authorities, NGOs and public in general. o Health and safety concerns on plastic products. o The waste management issue. o Global action against plastics - marine litter. Local Concerns, Global Effect . Generally, the local NGOs and politicians see plastics as a local waste management issue – NIMBY syndrome. However, as 80% of marine litter is from land based activities, plastics waste management issues in Malaysia can have an adverse effect globally. Challenges . Several states have extended the ‘No Free Plastic (HDPE) Bags Day’ from one day to more than one day. The recent ‘No Polystyrene Campaign’ in several states has gained momentum with support from NGOs. A Snapshot of Actions Taken Against Plastics in Malaysia Penang State Government BAN free plastic bags throughout the week Other States in Malaysia Followed Penang’s Lead in Banning Plastic Bags Call for Banning Polystyrene Usage in Selangor State PS Food Container Ban Ineffective and Received Mixed Reactions from Consumers……… MPMA’s Responses and Reactions ‘Letter to the Editor’ Released to Dailies MPMA Gives out Free Plastic Bags Addressing the Misconception of Plastic Bags in Penang However, There is Still Local Negative Reaction Towards Plastics … . While the proposed ban on polystyrene received mixed reaction, due to consumers requiring a convenient and effective food container, there is still widespread perception that polystyrene is a major waste management issue in Malaysia. Likewise, plastics bags are viewed with mixed feelings as well – useful as a carrier bag, but battered with a poor reputation from the waste management angle. As a waste, it is visible, an eyesore and frequently identified as the culprit for flash floods. MPMA’s Media and PR Campaign . MPMA had undertaken a Media and PR Campaign to address the increasingly negative public perception of plastics, which we found to be largely based on misconceptions. Litter . Plastics is a unique and useful material when it does not appear as litter (for e.g., in Japan where waste is well managed). Plastics can be damaging when it becomes litter: o Litter is an eyesore. o Clogging drains which causes floods/health hazard. o Raises the issue of “plastics being not degradable”. Platforms/Environmental Programmes Anti-litter – ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Campaign ENGAGE Anti-litter and 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle DISPLACE EDUCATE AND Plastics Sustainability PROMOTE Result: Plastics Makes it Possible! ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ Campaign - Engaging with the Public Start of Media and PR Strategy with the Launch of the ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Campaign The ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ campaign was officially launched by Mr Yong Bun Fou, Deputy Secretary General (Policy and Development), Ministry of Housing and Local Government, on behalf of YB Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung, the then Minister of Housing and Local Government , on 23 June 2012 at MPMA’s 45th Anniversary Dinner. Hi-5 ME (Mother Earth) – ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign Activities MPF/MPMA’s ‘Hi-5 ME (Mother Earth) Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign at KL was featured on the The Star newspaper 2nd page – 5 August 2012 MPF/MPMA’s ‘Hi-5 ME (Mother Earth) Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign at KL was featured on the Kosmo Online – 9 September 2012 2 July 2012 - The Star Ms Nursyamimi Ahmad Jamil, a follower of MPF’s ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ facebook group had writen to Views Section on The Star newspaper praising MPF’s effort in addressing the issue of pollution and environmental harm caused by littering. 6 October 2012, MPF/MPMA's 2nd ‘Hi-5 ME (Mother Earth) Don't Be a Litterbug’ Campaign was successfully undertaken by the volunteers from MPF/MPMA and Waterfall Survivors at Sutera Mall, Skudai, Johor and had received an overwhelming support from the public. The event was featured in various media. 15 March 2013, ‘Hi 5 ME (Mother Earth) ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign at the Jalan Duta PLUS toll. MPF/MPMA volunteers distributed thrash bags and the “Don’t be a Litterbug” car stickers to drivers stopped at the toll. The trash bags provided to drivers are to ease the disposal of rubbish and to avoid drivers from littering especially when driving on the road. 27 October 2013, MPMA collaborated with Department of Environment on its Malaysian Environment Week 2013 celebration at Putrajaya. MPMA volunteers gave out ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ car stickers and encouraging the public to dispose of rubbish responsibly. The campaign had received overwhelming support from the public by exchanging ‘Hi-5s’ and pledging towards anti-litter by signing. 11 May 2014, MPMA Perak Branch had organised a ‘Hi 5 ME (Mother Earth) ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign in conjunction with the Children Academic Excellence Achievement Awards 2014 at Syuen Hotel, Ipoh. Participants had pledged to the ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ campaign. 8 Nov 2014, ‘Hi 5 ME (Mother Earth) ‘Don’t Be a Litterbug’ Public Campaign at Bukit Bintang, KL was headed by MPMA together with the Bukit Bintang Central Environmental Committee of Local Agenda 21 DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall). ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ and 3Rs Awareness Programmes 30 October 2012, MPMA-ExxonMobil ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ and 3Rs Awareness Programme at Sekolah Rendah Sri Sempurna. The event was attended by about 250 students from Standards 4, 5 and 6, and teachers of Sekolah Rendah Sri Sempurna. MPMA-DOW Don’t Be a Litterbug and 3Rs Awareness Programme 2013, Penang 1 August 2013, MPMA-DOW Don’t Be a Litterbug and 3Rs Awareness Programme 2013, Penang Award Ceremony was officiated by YB Tuan Phee Boon Poh, Welfare, Caring Community and Environment Committee Chairman for Penang State Government at Jit Sin Independent High School, Bukit Mertajam 30 6 May 2014, MPMA-DOW Plastics Recyclables Collection Competition 2014, Penang Launch Ceremony at KOMTAR Auditorium, Penang. Officiated by YB Tuan Phee Boon Poh, Welfare, Caring Community and Environment Committee Chairman for Penang State Government. The Programme involved 30 schools in Penang. The Programme was also reported in several local dailies. 8 October 2014 – The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) Johor Branch and Lotte Chemical Titan (M) Sdn Bhd collaborated on a 3Rs Programme for students from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Pa Yai in Kluang, Johor. The Programme involved over 450 students as well as 100 teachers and guests. This Programme was also featured in the local Chinese daily. 8-9 August 2014 - MPMA-Chevron Phillips Chemicals Environment Boot Camp 2014 for Wesley Methodist Schools. The Environment Boot Camp was held at the Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur. The Launch Ceremony involved 1,250 students, teachers and guests. Displacing the Negative Perceptions of Plastics through Advertorials and Interviews MPF had also submitted two additional articles entitled ‘Plastics help save the planet’ and ‘Carbon Sinks in Landfills’ in conjunction with the advertorial. The MPF advertorial in Sin Chew Article and Interview with Utusan Malaysia MPMA’s Outreach Strategy . To educate government sector and public on plastics safety, health and the environment. o Waste management issues – for e.g., littering and 3Rs. o Environmental programmes – for e.g., littering and 3Rs. o Plastics – Environment, Safety and Health. o Sustainability. MPMA’s Outreach Strategy . Focus on educating MPMA members to be spokespersons for the industry. o Plastics - Environment, Safety and Health. o Plastics impact on carbon footprint. o Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. o Plastics sustainability. o Issues and trends related to the plastics industry and what is MPMA doing to overcome the issues. Interviews . MPMA had been invited for media interviews subsequent to the Launch of the ‘Don’t be a Litterbug’ campaign. MPF/MPMA Date of Media Topic Representative Interview Email Interview 1 The Star 25-Apr-12 Don't be a Litterbug (MPMA) En Ahmad 2 Sin Chew 7-Jun-12 ESH on Polystyrene Khairuddin En Ahmad Plastics ESH & Don't be a 3 Sin Chew Khairuddin & 20-Jun-12 Litterbug Mr CC Cheah Media Briefing on the Don’t Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Plastics & Rubber Be a Litterbug Campaign 4 Asia, Plastics News, Nanyang, 8TV Chinese Mr Lim Kok Boon 23-Jun-12 Launch in conjunction with News. the MPMA 45th Anniversary Dinner En Ahmad Plastics ESH & Don't be a 5 RTM TV1 'Selamat Pagi 1Malaysia' 25-Jun-12 Khairuddin Litterbug Steve Toloken, U.S. Magazine on Plastics News Plastics ESH & Don't be a 6 Mr Lim Kok Boon 25-Jun-12 in China Litterbug Plastics ESH & Don't be a 7 RTM Minnal FM (Tamil Radio Channel) Mr Sri Umeswaran 26-Jun-12 Litterbug Plastics ESH & Don't be a 8 Capital FM on air with Asha Gill (Radio Channel) Pn Noraini 2-Jul-12 Litterbug MPF/MPMA Date of Media Topic Representative Interview Plastics ESH & Don't be a 9 Bernama Mr Lim Kok Boon 10-Jul-12 Litterbug RTM TV2 ‘ Vasantham’ (Tamil Talk Show Plastics ESH & Don't be a 10 Mr Sri Umeswaran 5-Aug-12 Programme) Litterbug RTM Minnal FM (Tamil Radio Channel) Hi-5 ME-‘Don't be a 11 Mr Sri Umeswaran 6-Aug-12 (Telephone Interview) Litterbug’ Public Campaign Plastics ESH & Don't be a 12 BFM 89.9 (The Business Station) Mr Lim Kok Boon 14-Aug-12 Litterbug VenusBuzz.com - Malaysian Women's Lifestyle Plastics ESH &