The campaign, known as “No Plastic Bag 2.0”, involves supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets, fast-food restaurants, convenience stores at petrol stations, retail chains, pharmacies and other business premises.

Checks by Bernama found that most consumers were already aware of the initiative and brought their own reusable or alternative bags for their shopping.

Participating businesses also no longer provide plastic bags and instead offer recyclable bags for sale to facilitate customers’ needs.

Muhammad Muslim Ahmad Faizal, 34, a factory worker in Perai, said he and his wife were used to bringing their own reusable bags as Penang had implemented such campaigns for some time, though previously only on specific days.

“Previously, there were no plastic bags from Monday to Wednesday, so we are used to bringing our own reusable bags when shopping at supermarkets. It’s a good initiative to protect the environment,” he said.

Nur Afizah Mazlan, 31, a convenience store employee, said some customers still asked for plastic bags and were even willing to pay for them, but she informed them that they were no longer available.

“Maybe they didn’t know about the campaign starting today, so we informed them about it. Our store also sells reusable bags,” she said.

Penang Green Council (PGC) general manager Tan Mei Ling said a survey by her team found that some consumers were confused about the campaign, believing that plastic bags could still be purchased.

She said the council would intensify awareness efforts during the first six months of implementation, including distributing information leaflets through the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Perai City Council.

“We are ramping up awareness efforts over the next six months to ensure everyone is informed. At the same time, PGC will distribute reusable bags to the public,” she said.

Previously, state housing and environment committee chairman S Sundarajoo said reusable bags would be distributed free across the state to encourage their use and help residents transition to more sustainable practices to protect the environment.

He also said a six-month grace period for lenient enforcement would be in place from March 1 to Aug 31, allowing businesses and the public to adapt to the new rules, with full enforcement starting on Sept 1.

The state government introduced the “No Free Plastic Bags” initiative in 2009, making Penang the first state to mandate that businesses stop providing plastic bags for free.

Previously, the state prohibited plastic bags from Monday to Wednesday and charged RM1 for each plastic bag on Thursdays and Fridays.

The state government has collected RM8 million through the initiative.