Sabah & Sarawak News October 28, 2009 18:19 PM SMC Campaign To Reduce Plastic Bag Use Gaining Support SIBU, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags among shoppers is gaining wider support. Close to 50 supermarkets, fast food and retail outlets, book stores and even petty traders here have now indicated that on every Monday beginning Nov 16, they will not provide free plastic bags to their customers. Disclosing this here today council deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ang said it was very heartening that they had responded positively. "We are very happy that most supermarkets, including many retail outlets and petty traders, are very supportive of our campaign to go green to save the environment," he said at the monthly full council meeting Wednesday. Ngieng said that though the owners would not give free plastic bags every Monday, they were welcome to extend it to more days. Meanwhile, he said, to get the public to fully appreciate and embrace the campaign, SMC would co-ordinate a concerted publicity effort from now until Nov 13. "Environmental protection is our obligation. Just keep practising reducing our usage of the plastic bag. It may be a small thing but is a necessary first step for all of us to play our part," he said. -- BERNAMA