TUARAN: Eight groups of market vendors recently took part in the 2026 Sustainable Vendor Competition at Tuaran Market, showcasing creative ways to eliminate single-use plastic in daily trade.
The event, organised by Zero Waste Sabah in collaboration with the Tuaran Market Sustainable Vendors Association, challenged participants to sell their products without using plastic bags.
Founder Ruth Yap, in her Facebook post, said the initiative is part of an ongoing Plastic Reduction Project implemented at the market since 2023.
“The idea is simple — if we introduce policies to reduce plastic use and provide incentives to shift towards natural packaging, then single-use plastic consumption can be significantly reduced,” she said.
She added that the initiative also revives traditional knowledge in using natural materials such as leaves, rattan and bamboo for packaging.
“This not only highlights our local skills, but also encourages people to cultivate and preserve these natural resources, which do not leave harmful environmental impacts like plastic,” she said.
Three teams emerged as winners, impressing judges with their sustainability efforts and creativity — from wrapping food and vegetables in leaves to serving drinks in bamboo containers and creating plastic-free floral arrangements.
Yap said she was proud of the participating vendors, noting that many had embraced zero-waste practices introduced during earlier training programmes.
“They are no longer just vendors, but individuals who can educate and influence their customers towards reducing plastic use,” she said.
The event was officiated by Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, who represented Datin Seri Panglima Juliah Salag.
It also received support from Yayasan Hasanah and the Finance Ministry, alongside various local agencies and community leaders.
Yap expressed hope that similar programmes would be expanded to reach more vendors and raise public awareness on sustainable practices.
Comments
Post a Comment