No Single Use Plastic Campaign
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About NSUP
Hello! Welcome to the No Single-Use Plastics (NSUP) Campaign, a Penang-wide movement led by the Penang Green Council (PGC) to cut down on single-use plastics. Since the campaign’s kickoff in 2009, we’ve been working with the Penang State Government to make a real change.
Single-use plastics don’t disappear, they end up in our rivers, seas, and the environment, harming wildlife and polluting the place we all share.
The Plastic Pollution Challenge in Malaysia
1, 400, 000 tonnes
of plastic waste generated in Malaysia (2019)
25.5kg
of plastic waste mismanaged per person annually
63%
plastic waste is not properly managed leading to environmental leakage
Source: Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030
Current & Upcoming Highlights
Why Join the NSUP Movement?
Choose Reusables That Truly Make a Difference
Every reusable choice reduces plastic waste in our landfills and oceans.
See How Penangites Are Powering the Change
Join thousands of Penangites already taking action.
Celebrating Everyday Heroes of Sustainability
Be part of campaigns and events that celebrate sustainability leaders.
No Single-Use Plastic: Penang’s Ongoing Green Evolution
September 1, 2025
Full enforcement in phases begins for the daily plastic bag ban: Businesses must comply without exceptions.
March 1, 2025
Launch of the “No Plastic Bag Every Day” campaign across Penang—moving toward eliminating plastic bags entirely.
February 14, 2025
Penang No Plastic Bag Every Day Campaign 2025 Launching
January 2025
Straw ban enforcement strengthens: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has enforced the straw ban since early 2024, but now implement license revocation for repeat offenders.
2023
Malaysia-wide momentum increases: national Roadmap pushes toward a total phase-out of plastic bags by 2025, including retail and roadside sectors.
2021
RM1 charge remains, solidifying a stronger deterrent effect; days of banned plastic bag sales continue Mon–Wed, fee Thu–Sun.
2020
Policy adjusts: No Plastic Bag Days are Monday to Wednesday; RM1 charge per bag applies Thursday to Sunday.
From July 1, 2019
Mondays become “absolute no-plastic-bag days”—shoppers are not allowed to purchase plastic bags even if they’re willing to pay.
July 1, 2021
Penang enforcement enters full enforcement stage: Plastic straws must not be given unless requested.
March 2019
Launch of the “No Plastic Straw” campaign. Plastic straws are no longer automatically provided in F&B settings—they are offered only upon request.
The campaign unfolds in three phases:
Phase 1 (Awareness): April 2019 – June 2020
Phase 2 (Education & Enforcement): July 2020 – June 2021
Phase 3 (Full Enforcement): Effective July 1, 2021
2018
Introduction of “No Single-Use Plastic” initiative, broadening focus beyond bags to include items like straws and containers, aligning with Malaysia’s 2018–2030 Roadmap.
2011–2017
A consistent 20 sen levy per plastic bag continues, funding state initiatives and contributing to reducing plastic waste—estimated at 33 million bags avoided.
January 1, 2011
Policy escalates: Every day becomes No Free Plastic Bag Day, with bags still available for a fee (levy).
January 1, 2010
Expanded policy: No Plastic Bags Day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
July 6, 2009
Launch of No Free Plastic Bag Day on Mondays; Penang becomes the first Malaysian state to implement this at supermarkets and hypermarkets.
