Penang Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said no-plastic Mondays are part of efforts to reduce reliance on single-use plastics in the long run.

Acknowledging that this is not state law, he added that the Penang government would like to see how many retail outlets voluntarily adopt the move.

“I would rather get the people to do this on their own, as it is for their own good.

“I would rather not have a by-law enacted to force them to do it. But if there is low interest, then we will have no choice but to make a law to ensure that they do it.”

Phee urged customers to begin bringing their own reusable bags and containers when they shop or buy home food.

He also urged those who shop at wet markets to emulate the practice in Thailand and Singapore, where customers bring containers for their goods instead of asking for bags.

A total of 541 premises under the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, the largest local government in the state, have agreed not to provide or sell plastic bags on Mondays.

In a statement, the council said these include sundry shops and supermarkets (152), pharmacies (102), fast food outlets (49), 24-hour convenience stores (43) and petrol stations (37).

Penang began its “no free plastic bags” policy on July 1, 2009. Under the initiative, customers were charged 20 sen for each plastic bag on Mondays. The policy was extended to three days from Monday to Wednesday in 2010.

In 2011, the provision of free plastic bags was banned altogether. Penang also banned the use of polystyrene food containers in 2009.

In January this year, the state began a campaign to discourage the use of single-use plastics and plastic straws.