Serai Straws Will Be Introduced In Kelantan To Help Reduce Plastic Wastage

Single-use plastics such as straws, bags, containers and similar items are seriously bad for the environment and harms innocent animals. They can accidentally ingest these things or even get trapped in one and eventually lose their lives.

Although humans have started to make changes, there is still plenty more to be done in order to preserve the environment. Now, Malaysia has taken it a step further by introducing lemongrass (serai) straws in Kelantan in an effort to reduce plastic wastage. Yassss!

According to Berita Harian, the chairman of Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA), Datuk Husam Musa said that they want to introduce the environmental-friendly straws to all KADA cafes. He added that the organisation is ready to plant and prepare the lemongrass to any proprietor who wants to do their part for the environment.

He explained that KADA cafes include hospital cafes and these lemongrass straws will be provided to patients as well so they can reduce the usage of plastic straws. As this is a new initiative and as a start, he wants to make it compulsory for all KADA cafes.

“There are 27 types of lemongrass and for straws, we find that the serai buluh is the most suitable. We will implement it first at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (HUSM) cafe for public use and for the patients as it is an all-natural ingredient. We will also grow more of the plant along the KADA river banks and more than 10,000 seedlings are already planted at Kampung Padang Halban,” he told the daily.

Husam added that he will write an official letter to HUSM in Kubang Kerian to propose this environmental-friendly alternative as they have a lot of lemongrasses ready to be used. He explained that these lemongrasses are a really good alternative for plastic straws as it can reduce wastage.

That sounds like a great idea! The environment needs our help, everyone!