Malaysia: 'Blanket ban not solution for plastic waste smuggling'

New Straits Times 29 May 19;

KUALA LUMPUR: Hasty calls by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for a blanket ban on so-called “plastics waste” are unnecessary and ill-considered, and can harm law-abiding manufacturers and businesses.

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and the Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association (MPRA) said such a move would hurt the reputation of legitimate Malaysian businesses, instead of addressing the issue of plastic smuggling.

The two associations were referring to remarks made by NGOs lumping permitted imports with smuggled “sampah plastik”.

“We are concerned that law-abiding businesses are being accused of breaking the law, and that inaccurate statements could destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding Malaysians and the families and loved ones that they support,” said MPMA and MPRA in a joint statement, here, today

“Blanket bans do not and cannot address the issue of smuggling and do hurt legitimate businesses,” they said.

The two associations are worried that there could be a repeat of a suspected arson attack in Kedah that recently destroyed a licensed and legal factory, and put the lives of workers, local residents, and firemen at risk.

“Recycling done by legal operators are supporting both local and foreign brands in sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive and other manufacturing sectors as well as in the construction industry.

“A total ban would bring Malaysia’s participation in the global circular economy to a halt,” the joint statement said.

The two associations said recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment and properly managing and disposing of waste.

As an economic activity, they said, recycling was in fact crucial to creating new value that benefitted society and contributed to sustainability,

“We fully support the government’s efforts to escalate its enforcement actions against smugglers, who make false declarations to Customs in order to illegally import sampah plastik.

“We also support the clamp-down on illegal recycling operations, with about 150 of these shut down by the government to date.

“We reiterate our stand that Malaysia has no place for other countries’ rubbish, and that we should not become the developed world’s dumping ground.” MPMA and MPRA said they would continue to support and were ready to assist the government in efforts to crack down on unscrupulous and illegal operators, and to protect the environment.

They also called for a forum to be set up to discuss a robust, effective regulatory framework for the industry and Malaysia’s role in the circular economy where the redeployment and reuse of resources was a key organising principle.

Selangor DoE: Only clean, used plastics can be imported
Bernama New Straits Times 30 May 19;

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia allows the import of used plastics for recycling only and not for dumping in the country, said Selangor Department of Environment (DoE) director Shafee Yasir.

“Dirty and contaminated plastics cannot be imported into the country because it is not allowed, but some importers mixed the two types of plastics.

“This matter is the cause of our problems now because dirty and contaminated plastics need to be cleaned first before being recycled, and the dirt from these plastics will then pollute our drains and rivers; that’s why they are not allowed to be brought in,” he told Bernama.

He was this when asked to comment on international media reports that piles of imported plastic waste were found dumped in Ipoh, Perak recently.

Shafee said the department was working closely with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to stop the entry of dirty and contaminated plastics.

“If the customs department suspects false declaration on the containers laden with used plastics, it will contact the DoE for further action,” he said.

Asked on allegations by residents of Teluk Gong in Klang, near here, that an influential individual was protecting illegal plastic recycling factories there, Shafee said there had been cases of unidentified individuals keeping watch on his officers inspecting and monitoring such unlicensed premises.

“However, nothing untoward has happened to the DoE officers doing enforcement work,” he said.

However, Local Government, Public Transport and New Villages Permanent Committee chairman Ng Sze Han denied the allegations on illegal plastic recycling factories enjoying protection.

“So far seven illegal plastic waste factories in Teluk Gong, Klang have been detected and subjected to action, and this (enforcement) action will continue.

“If the allegations on the involvement of the influential party are backed by evidence, the government will not hesitate to take action,” he said. –Bernama


FMM lauds move to hold importers of plastic trash accountable
The Star 29 May 19;

PETALING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) lauds the move by the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (Mestecc) to hold those bringing contaminated plastic waste into the country accountable for their actions.

Minister Yeo Bee Yin (pic) said on Tuesday (May 28) that those bringing in the waste will be responsible for footing the bill for the shipping of waste back to the originating country.

She said under the Environmental Quality Act, those responsible for bringing in the waste will have two weeks to ship it back – and will be brought to court should they fail to do so.

FMM president Datuk Soh Tian Lai was "fully supportive" of the "decisive step" taken by the Ministry.



"This would help Malaysia restrict the import of such waste from other countries more effectively," he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 29).

He hoped that the Ministry and relevant agencies would work together with industry players in addressing the issue in a holistic manner.

Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association (MPRA) also supported the Government's efforts to stop contaminated plastic waste from being brought into the country.

"We reiterate our stand that Malaysia has no place for other countries' rubbish, and that we should not become the developed world's dumping ground.

"We continue to support and are ready to assist the Government in their efforts to crack down on these unscrupulous and illegal operators and to protect the environment," the associations said in a statement.

MPMA and MPRA however cautioned against mistaking contaminated plastic waste with recyclable plastic waste – after non-governmental organisations called for a ban on all plastic waste imports.

The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) has called for a total ban on plastic waste imports.

"Blanket bans do not and cannot address the issue of smuggling and do hurt legitimate businesses.

"In referring to 'plastics waste', NGOs are lumping permitted imports together with smuggled ones.

"This hurts the reputation of legitimate Malaysian businesses, instead of addressing the issue of smuggling.

"We are concerned that law-abiding businesses are being accused of breaking the law, and that inaccurate statements could destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding Malaysians and the families and loved ones that they support," said the associations.