BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Brunei government announced the addition of Tuesday in the No Plastic Bag Every Day Initiative starting from October 2, making it six days (Tuesday - Sunday) in a week without the use of plastic carrier bags in participating stores and shops.

The country's Ministry of Development (MOD), through the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) said on Tuesday that the extension is part of the government's effort in realizing no plastic bags usage every day by January 1, 2019.

Statistics from the government shows that 16 percent of the waste sent to Brunei's landfill area comprises of plastic products and the issue of plastic pollution and litter can persistently be observed around the country both on land and in water, a MOD official told Xinhua.

The initiative which carries the slogan, "It takes a nation to end plastic pollution", emphasizes the importance of an integrated effort towards combating plastic solution in the country, according to the official.

Monday will be added to the initiative starting December 31, the ministry said.

The initiative initially involves stores and businesses that are listed under the No Plastic Bag Weekend initiative but will be extended to other consumers of plastic bags such as retail shops, restaurants and markets/stalls.