99 Speedmart just stopped using single-use plastic bags! Here is what you need to know!
Claim : 99 Speedmart Is Charging RM2 For Plastic Bags!
People are sharing this warning on WhatsApp and social media, warning that 99 Speedmart is now charging RM2 for plastic bags, instead of the standard 20 sen rate.
To encourage customers to bring their own bags, starting from May 1st, Speedmart 99 will charge RM2 for their recycle bag instead of the usual 20 cents. Better bring ur own bag when shopping for groceries at 99.
Truth : 99 Speedmart Has Stopped Using Single-Use Plastic Bags!
This appears to be a misunderstanding of a new 99 Speedmart policy to stop using single-use plastic, and move to reusable bags. Here is what you need to know…
Fact #1 : Pollution Charge For Plastic Bags Is 20 Sen Minimum
In May 2022, all state governments in Malaysia agreed to implement a pollution charge on plastic bags, with a minimum charge of 20 sen each. This is part of the “No Plastic Bag Campaign” already carried out in Penang, Selangor and Johor since 2021.
Money collected from the pollution charge does not go to the business collecting them, but instead, goes to each state government.
Fact #2 : 99 Speedmart Stops Using Single-Use Plastic In May 2023
99 Speedmart announced on April 1, 2023, that it would stop using single-use plastic from 1 May 2023 onwards.
Say NO to plastic bag! 🌎 99 Speedmart will stop using single-use plastic bag effective from 1st May 2023. Customers are encourage to bring your own reusable bag or may purchase our “Bag for Life” with only RM2 at any 99 Speedmart outlets near you. #saynotoplasticbag #saveearth #99Speedmart
Perhaps they should not have posted it on April 1, because apparently many people thought they were joking…
But I personally called 99 Speedmart and they confirmed that it is genuine. From 1 May 2023 onwards, they would no longer offer single-use plastic at their outlets, not even if you are willing to pay 20 sen each.
Fact #3 : 99 Speedmart Will Offer RM2 Bag For Life Instead
Instead of single-use plastic bags, 99 Speedmart will offer customers the option to purchase its Bag for Life for RM2 each.
The Bag for Life is a reusable bag that is not only larger, it can be used again and again. On top of that, it will be replaced for FREE if it’s damaged after months or years of use.
That’s why they are calling it Bag for Life – you pay RM2 for a lifetime of use with each reusable bag, which is truly a great initiative!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
New research from Oxford Economics and SAP has revealed that Malaysian companies have yet to gain from their sustainability plans.
SAP: Malaysian Companies Yet To Gain From Sustainability Plans
Sustainability goals are a key part of any company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts, but many companies still find it difficult to derive significant value from their sustainability strategies.
Verena Siow, President and Managing Director of SAP South East Asia, share key findings from new research from Oxford Economics and SAP that showed that Malaysian companies have yet to gain from their sustainability plans.
While 60% of businesses don’t think it’s difficult to be sustainable and profitable at the same time, just 4% say that they actually benefited significantly from their sustainability strategies.
That may be due to a disconnect between the organisations’ plans and its actions. While 63% of Malaysian businesses have a clearly communicated sustainability plan, only 23% have incentivised leaders to achieve those goals, and only 33% say that their employees are active participants in their efforts.
It is an encouraging sign that businesses across South East Asia are increasingly mindful of sustainability practices along their entire supply chain, including those of their suppliers.
There is no time to waste to move beyond strategy and to achieve real, tangible results. In three years, almost a third of businesses expect significant value from their sustainability strategy – and we believe that with the right focus, this number can be even higher.
Public, private and plural partnerships are quintessential to affect the required change for a green economy in ASEAN. Business leaders in South East Asia should not perceive sustainability action as a risk mitigation measure only. It is an opportunity to realize new sustainable revenue streams, find new efficiencies, and build new business models based on low-emission, circular, and ultimately regenerative concepts to benefit both the organization and for our society at large.
Regulatory Compliance : Sustainability Driver + Challenge In Malaysia
Sustainability strategies are largely driven by regulatory compliance in Malaysia, with survey respondents noted that these are the primary drivers in their businesses:
the threat of regulatory mandates : 52%,
operational efficiencies : 54%, and
market reputation (48%).
That focus aligns with regulatory compliance being the second biggest benefit derived from sustainability so far (39%), behind only reduced carbon emissions.
It’s clear that organisations may need to refocus their strategies to achieve greater value from sustainability. Too much focus on compliance was cited as the third highest challenge to sustainability success by Malaysian respondents, trailing only the lack of reinvention of business strategy and ineffective data.
Data Is Key To Improving Sustainability Outcomes
According to the survey, the key to improving sustainability outcomes will be the effective use of organisational data to make more informed decisions.
Accurate data was ranked as among the most significant activities to help reach carbon reduction goals, only trailing sustainable sourcing and monitoring energy among respondents.
Unfortunately, ineffective data for decision-making is considered a moderate challenge for 75% of Malaysian businesses. The research also found that:
less than a quarter (23%) businesses have calculated their total organisational carbon output,
although a majority (77%) have begun the process in some areas.
Of the businesses who have made begun measuring their carbon, only 33% actually made changes to their processes based on the data. More obviously needs to be done.
Just over a third (35%) of Malaysian respondents said they had invested in data analysis to measure sustainability in their business, while half (50%) said they were training staff how to capture sustainability data.
Malaysian Companies Need Sustainability Leadership
Action on sustainability is needed urgently in Malaysia, and has to be driven from the top down.
Beyond the impact on the environment, just 21% of Malaysian businesses say that their workforces are not even aware that missing sustainability targets will drive customers to their competitors.
Businesses that have obtained value from their efforts have these qualities :
they set clear expectations at the strategic level,
they apply the transformative power of technology and data management, and
they engage with important audiences such as employees, supply chain partners and policymakers.
“Sustainability leaders go beyond vision to ensure that sustainability initiatives are acted upon,” said Edward Cone, editorial director, Oxford Economics. “They communicate with key constituencies both inside and outside the company, and they use integrated technologies to measure and track performance in a way that drives accountability.”
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Did the Dutch government just close thousands of farms and cattle ranches to fight climate change?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : Dutch Government Closed Farms To Fight Climate Change!
People have been sharing videos of angry farmers blocking roads with their tractors, claiming that they are protesting the closure of farms and cattle ranchers by the Dutch government.
Such videos are now being spread in pro-CCP groups as “evidence” of corrupt Western governments, or how Western governments oppress the common people.
28 June 2022 As the Dutch government closed dozens of farms and cattle ranches to reduce nitrogen by 30%. Angry and hungry farmers blocked the roads nationwide Corrupt Dutch govt trying to artificially create food shortage.
Following politicians’ decision to close dozens of farms and cattle ranches to reduce nitrogen to comply with absurd EU rules on nitrogen pollution, angry Dutch farmers have issued an ultimatum and are threatening to block the country’s airports, ports and distribution centers.
The Dutch government wants to close 17,000 farms out of 50,000 by 2030 to reduce Nitrogen emissions. Their “leaders” have bought into the climate change hysteria during a time of impending global food shortages. These bozos have a few screws missing.
Truth : Dutch Government Did NOT Close Farms To Fight Climate Change!
These posts appear to be an intentional “misunderstanding” of the facts surrounding these Dutch farmers’ protests.
These protests have been covered extensively, and so have the Dutch government’s proposal. So it seems incredulous that people would continue to lie about this issue.
Fact #1 : Dutch Government Did NOT Close Any Farm / Cattle Ranch
Let’s start with the most basic fact – the Dutch government did not close any farm or cattle ranch. This is complete and utter nonsense.
There are no laws in the Netherlands that would permit the Dutch government to forcibly take over, or shut down, any farm or cattle ranch.
This kind of blatant lie can only perpetuate in the minds of conspiracy nutcases, and Chinese netizens because only authoritarian governments (like the CCP in China) are capable of such actions.
Seizing and closing farms and cattle ranch may be possible for the government in China, but not in the Netherlands.
In fact, the Dutch government has offered BUY OUT (not close) farms near nature reserves.
Fact #2 : Dutch Farmers Have Been Protesting Since 2019!
What many of these “concerned netizens” (intentionally?) do not tell you is that Dutch farmers have been protesting against such climate change laws since 2019.
Dutch farmers protest in October 2019
Fact #3 : The Government Was Complying With A Court Order
This issue actually started way back in May 2019, the Dutch Administrative Court of the Council of State (the highest administrative body in the Netherlands) ruled that the Dutch government breached EU rules on protecting nature reserves from ammonia and nitrous oxide.
The Dutch Administrative Court suspended permits for all construction projects that pollute the atmosphere with nitrogen compounds, stalling the building of new homes, roads and airport runways… as well as the expansion of dairy, pig and poultry farms.
Fact #4 : Dutch Government Tried Other Measures First
To comply with the court order, the Dutch government tried other measures first.
For example, in 2020, they cut the maximum speed limit on roads in the Netherlands from 130 km/h to just 100 km/h for most of the day, to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.
The government also allocated more money to help farmers reduce emissions from pigs, and changed the composition of animal feed.
Fact #5 : Dutch Farms Produce A Lot Of Pollution
The problem is partly caused by Dutch farmers themselves. Their farms are highly concentrated, with four times more animal biomass per hectare than the EU average.
Dutch agriculture is responsible for 40% of the nitrogen pollution in the Netherlands. The entire construction sector, for example, is only responsible for 0.6% of nitrogen emissions.
Thanks to its large livestock sector, and intensive use of fertiliser, the Netherlands – the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter – is also one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in Europe.
Fact #6 : Only Farms Near Nature Reserves Are In Danger
Depending on their proximity to nature reserves (Natura-2000 areas), Dutch farms will have to reduce their nitrogen emissions by 12% to 70%.
Those located in or close to the Natura-2000 areas will be particularly hard-hit by the new nitrogen limits :
40% of the nitrogen sensitive Natura-2000 areas must be below the critical deposition value (< 255 mole per hectare) in 2025,
50% of the nitrogen sensitive Natura-2000 areas must be below the critical deposition value in 2030, and
74% of the nitrogen sensitive Natura-2000 areas must be below the critical deposition value in 2035.
Fact #7 : Provincial Government To Formulate Emission Reduction Plan
While the Dutch government came up with the plan to reduce nitrogen emissions to meet EU requirements, it is up to the Dutch provinces to develop the necessary measures to hit those targets.
Provincial governments have a year to formulate their own plans, to meet the pollution reduction targets.
Fact #8 : This Is Part Of EU Natura 2000 Conservation Efforts
This isn’t just a Dutch issue, it is actually part of the EU effort to protect the Natura 2000 network of vulnerable and endangered plant and animal habitats.
The Natura 2000 sites cover some 18% of the European Union land area, and 8% of its marine territory.
Fact #9 : Dutch Government Is Financing Agricultural Reforms
To help farmers meet those targets, the Dutch government has earmarked an extra €24.3 billion (about US$25.6 billion) to finance agricultural reforms and their existing buy-out programs.
Farmers who accept the government buy-out program can still open a new farm at a less sensitive location, as long as they substantially reduce nitrogen emissions.
Fact #10 : Protests Are ALLOWED In Real Democracies
What Chinese netizens may not be aware is that protests are not only common, they are allowed in real democracies.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, for example, defended the farmers’ right to protest, but reminded them not to break the law :
Freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate are a vital part of our democratic society, and I will always defend them.
But … it is not acceptable to create dangerous situations, it is not acceptable to intimidate officials, we will never accept that.
With the exception of a few farmers setting bales of hay on fire outside town halls and near roads, and attacking police officers, the majority of farmers have protested the proposed plan peacefully.
So what the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and pro-CCP netizens are deriding as chaos, is really just people expressing their real freedom of speech, which includes the right to protest. Try that in China, and see what that gets you.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
India just imposed a ban on almost all single-use plastic items, to combat plastic pollution!
India Just Banned All Single-Use Plastic Items!
On Friday, July 1, 2022, India imposed a ban on all single-use plastic items – everything from straws and disposable cutlery to cigarette packets!
With the ban in effect, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of all identified single-use plastic items are hereby prohibited in India.
Those who violate this single-use plastic ban may be jailed for up to five years, or fined more than 100,000 rupees (about US$1,267 | £1,046 | RM 5,582).
The Indian government has setup special control rooms to monitor and enforce the ban at national and state levels.
India Still Allows Some Single-Use Plastic Items
This measure was announced more than two years ago by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 26, 2019. The list of prohibited single use plastic items include :
plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns thick
The items have been chosen on the basis of three criteria – their low utility, high littering potential and availability of alternative materials.
We know that the manufacturers of these banned items have already shifted or are in the process of shifting, and notices had been sent out by the CPCB last year to these companies alerting them of the ban and to begin the process.
We have given manufacturers plenty of time for preparation – 11 months – before the ban was to come into force. We believe that we have their support and cooperation.
– Indian Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yada
The only single-use plastic items exempted from this ban are PET plastic water bottles, and thick plastic bags.
In 2021, India had already banned plastic bags with a thickness of below 75 microns thick. The government has asked manufacturers and importers to increase the thickness of plastic bags, to promote reuse.
India’s Central Pollution Control Board is also asking people to switch to cotton and jute bags, clay cups, bamboo or wooden cutlery, as well as items made of biodegradable materials.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Acer just launched the Aspire Vero – a new green laptop for environmentally-conscious consumers and companies!
Take a look at the 2021 Acer Aspire Vero, and find out how it differs from other laptops!
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Green Laptop With 30% PCR Chassis
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero is a new laptop, designed to meet the discerning requirements of environmentally-conscious consumers and companies.
Its chassis is made from 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, while its keycaps contain 50% PCR plastic. This allows the Aspire Vero to save about 21% in CO2 emissions.
The Acer Aspire Vero is also designed to eliminate electronic waste by making it easy to disassemble, repair or upgrade – a far cry from some other brands.
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero also ships in a box made from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and it swaps plastic bags for paper sleeves instead.
The single piece of plastic in the box – a thin protective sheet between the keyboard and screen – is made from 100% industrial recycled plastic.
All graphics on the box are also printed with soy ink, and Acer did away with any printing on the laptop chassis. On top of that, users can convert the 100% recyclable packaging into a DIY laptop stand!
The laptop comes with a 99% recyclable 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, and is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 or Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
For greater energy efficiency and longer battery life, you can switch on the Eco+ mode in the Acer VeroSense software.
It features the latest connectivity capabilities – Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5.1, and even an RJ-45 ethernet port, as well as two USB Type A ports, a USB Type C port, a HDMI port and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero runs on Windows 11, and comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Specifications
Acer is offering two variants of the Aspire Vero laptop in 2021. For your convenience, I prepared this table comparing their key specifications :
Specifications
Acer Aspire Vero
(Core i5)
Acer Aspire Vero
(Core i7)
Model
AV15-51-522W
AV15-51-75SA
Display
15.6-inch IPS display
Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080)
OS
Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Processor
Intel Core i5-1155G7
Intel Core i7-1195G7
Memory
8 GB LPDDR4X
16 GB LPDDR4X
Graphics
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage
512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Networking
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201
Bluetooth 5.1 RJ-45 Ethernet Port
Connectivity
1 x HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A (with power-off USB charging)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
Type C
1 x 3.5 mm audio jack
Webcam
Acer HD webcam (1280 x 720)
Battery Life
Up to 7 hours
Dimensions
363.4 mm wide
238.5 mm deep
17.9 mm thick
Weight
1.8 kg
Price
RM3,399
RM4,299
2021 Acer Aspire Vero : Price + Availability
The 2021 Acer Aspire Vero is available for purchase with immediate effect, with these official launch prices :
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Samsung Electronics announced today that they are replacing their plastic packaging materials with paper and other environmentally sustainable alternatives. Here are the full details of the Samsung eco plastic packaging initiative!
The Samsung Eco Plastic Packaging Initiative
Beginning this first half of 2019, Samsung will replace plastic packaging used in their products – from smartphones to home appliances – with environmentally-sustainable materials like recycled or bio-based plastics and paper.
They already formed a task force to look into all aspects of this move – from design and development to purchasing, marketing and quality control. Here are some actions that Samsung will undertake with immediate effect :
Mobile and wearable devices
The plastic used for holder trays will be replaced with pulp moulds.
Plastic bags for accessories will be replaced with eco-friendly materials
The glossy exterior of Samsung chargers will be replaced with a matte finish to eliminate plastic protection films
Home Appliances
The plastic bags used to protect home appliances during delivery will be replaced with bags manufactured using recycled materials and bioplastics (made from plastic waste and non-fossil fuel materials like starch or sugar cane).
While the Samsung eco plastic initiative is not a complete removal of plastic from their ecosystem, it is a significant move towards a plastic-free future. By 2030, Samsung aims to use 500 thousand tons of recycled plastics, and collect 7.5 million tons of discarded products (both cumulative from 2009).
Sustainable Paper Initiative
Samsung aims to use only paper fibre materials that have been certified by global environmental organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative for packaging and manuals by 2020.
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