Teluk intan: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) urges Chithirai Pournami devotees and visitors to refrain from using plastics and not to waste food offered to them at stalls during the festival, which falls on May 1.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, CAP Consumer and Environmental Education Officer N.V. Subbarow emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of Chithirai Pournami, the full moon day of the Tamil month of Chithirai, for the Tamil community. The festival, celebrated at the Sri Thandayuthabani temple in Teluk Intan, is expected to draw around 100,000 devotees and visitors from across Malaysia and neighboring countries.

Subbarow highlighted the common practice of organizations setting up thaneer panthals (refreshment stalls) offering free food and drinks, urging them and the devotees to avoid using single-use plastics, such as polystyrene containers and cups. Instead, he advocated for the use of reusable plates, cups, or biodegradable leaves. He noted the prevalence of plastic utensils in refreshment stalls during festivals across the country.

Vendors often cite convenience as the reason for using disposable items when serving large crowds. However, Subbarow pointed out that there are more sustainable ways to serve food that do not generate excessive waste. Single-use plastics pose a significant environmental threat as they do not decompose easily, and even so-called 'biodegradable' plastics require specific conditions to break down.

He stressed the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, which is a major environmental concern affecting public health and the planet. The increasing use and disposal of plastics during major events contribute to environmental pollution.

Subbarow suggested alternatives to single-use plastics, such as using reusable utensils, washing them, using leaves as dining plates and food wraps, bringing personal containers for food, bottles for drinks, and cloth bags for belongings.

Additionally, he urged people to reduce food wastage by serving smaller portions and providing only one pack of food per person at the stalls. He encouraged using the festival as an opportunity to protect the environment by avoiding single-use plastics, aiming to leave a cleaner and safer planet for future generations.