WORLD Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Commemorated yearly on June 5, WED is one of the principal campaigns through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The day’s agenda includes:

» give a human face to environmental issues;

» empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;

» promote an ­understanding that ­communities are ­pivotal to changing attitudes ­towards environmental issues; and

» advocate partnerships which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme for WED 2009 is Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change.

The call reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial ­climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

One way we can all contribute to ­protect the environment is to recycle. And one of the biggest culprits for waste in waste management is plastic bags.

Every year, over 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide and they are ­damaging our environment. Plastic bags take around 300 years to photodegrade and they break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways. Animals and sea creatures are not spared either.

So, by using recyclable shopping bags and not using plastic bag, you will be ­making a stand to help save the environment in the long run.

One company making that resolve is IKEA Malaysia. Starting today, IKEA will stop giving customers free plastic bags. Instead, customers are ­encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase IKEA’s iconic reusable Big Blue Bag at only RM1.90 (UP: RM3.90). The blue bag (left), while also made of plastic, is durable and strong.

But for diehard ­customers who still insist on having plastic bags, IKEA will be charging 10sen and 20sen for each small- and medium/large-sized plastic bags respectively.

“There is no financial gain for IKEA in this exercise,” says Chong Hock Ben, social and environment manager of IKEA Malaysia.

“The money raised from the sales of plastic bags will be donated to the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), which is the largest, oldest and leading local environmental non-profit ­organisation.

“With the proceeds, IKEA in ­collaboration with MNS will plant and maintain mangrove trees at the mangrove forest in Kuala Selangor Nature Park to offset carbon dioxide emissions.

Meanwhile, Yap Poh Choo, marketing communications manager of IKEA Malaysia says: “We realise that our IKEA Love the Earth ­programme is a small step but we believe our customers want to help and support the sustainability of our planet for the future of our children.

“This is the view of 93% of Malaysians who told us that they should use fewer plastic bags in a recent online survey.”