For a while, Malaysia had just one zero waste store. It was run by a French expatriate who moved to Kuala Lumpur three years ago. But since May this year, another five have opened up in rapid succession, and a few more are in the works. These chic stores, which sell daily essentials such as food, detergent and toiletries, encourage customers to bring their own containers, buy only as much as they need, and do not give out single-use disposable packaging. They also work with suppliers to avoid single-use packaging. Their rapid growth spurt is a response to the growing customer demand in Malaysia for sustainable shopping as the local zero waste movement gathers momentum on the back of the global backlash against disposable plastics. Interest in waste reduction spiked after Malaysia began clamping down on illegal plastic recycling plants and imports of plastic waste which were diverted here after China clamped down on waste imports. Malaysia has also ramped up its campaign against disposables such as plastic bags and straws. Malaysia’s Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister, Yeo Bee Yin recently announced that Malaysia has frozen licences for plastic waste recycling plants, and banned imports of plastic waste. She also said Malaysia will abolish single-use plastics by 2030, beginning with the introduction of a charge for plastic bags. Several states in Malaysia have already introduced a charge for plastic bags on certain days of the week.

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