KUALA LUMPUR: 99 Speed mart customers expecting to receive plastic bags when shopping at the outlets have bombarded cashiers with complaints when they found out that the company implemented a zero plastic bag campaign this month.

This has caused frustration to some of the cashiers, who have resorted to social media to voice their views.

Several videos on TikTok on the issue have caught the attention of netizens.

TikTok user @dilauraaa03 shared her frustration through a video on dealing with complaints by customers.

"We (staff) also pity the customers but there is nothing that can be done as it has been set that there will be no plastic bags."

She said the staff had to deal with customers lashing their anger at them but they always tried their best to keep the customers happy.

"What more can be said? We can only go silent but customers will still lash out in anger," she added.

She advised people to bring their own bags to avoid commotion as the matter also affects them emotionally.

"Please bring your own plastic bag. It is tiring when people ask the same thing like why we don't give plastic bags anymore. We (staff) are also stressed when dealing with the matter," she said in another post.

"When you're a cashier and plastic bags are no longer in use, there will be all sorts of questions you will need to handle," she added.

In the post, she included a video of 99 Speedmart's zero use of plastic bag poster which is advertised in places that are easy for people to see at the mart.

It reads that the implementation of the new campaign starts on May 1 and that a reusable bag can be purchased at RM2 per bag.

Another user @stnrain also posted a TikTok video on similar issue, on handling the commotion made by customers.

"Everyday customers will still come and ask about plastic bags," she said.

She shared some of the questions that customers tend to ask the staff. This includes questiosn like, "Why is there no plastic? How to carry these items? Just close 99 Speedmart then."

In the post, she also apologised for her rude statement. "I apologise if my words might seem to be rude, but we (staff) are just following the instructions," she added.

"The poster is displayed clearly and big enough for customers to read," she said in the post.

Netizens also flooded the comment sections with messages of sympathy towards the cashiers who have to deal with such situations.

In the comment section of the post by user @stnrain, one netizen @yangterindah92 commented: "I have experienced this before, but now I am no longer working with 99 Speedmart. Hope that your heart and mind is strong."

Another user @userrose901 reminded people to bring their own bags by saying "Just bring your own bag."

"I understand. The other day, I bought a pack of ice cubes but there were no plastic bags. However, there is no point in being angry. I redha. If there's extra, it would be kind enough to give us, but there really are no plastic bags" user @azlsml said under the Tik Tok post by @dilauraaa03.

Recently, the government announced that it is targeting zero use of plastic bags at all premises and sectors of trade and commerce across the country by the year 2025.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, said four states, namely Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Johor and Negri Sembilan, were already ahead in terms of implementing the campaign.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/907833/99-speedmart-customers-upset-over-zero-plastic-bag-campaign