Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) Minister Yeo Bee Yin (Source: the Sun daily/Adib Rawi Yahya) KualaLumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Government will ban import of allnon-recyclable solid waste, particularly plastic, said Minister of Energy,Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin has said.
Speakingduring the ministers’ question session at the House of Representatives onOctober 17, Yeo said plastic waste are varied, some can be recycled, but thereis mixed plastic waste that cannot and is usually used by illegal factories.
Theminister’s statement came after there were reports that Malaysia has become adumping ground for plastic waste from other countries after China bannedplastic imports, leading to a huge impact on the global recycling system.
Countriessuch as the United Kingdom have begun to look to other places to offload suchwaste.
KualaLangat in Selangor state has emerged as a hotbed of plastic waste with about 40unlicensed factories processing imported plastic.
Yeosaid although the Malaysian Government could ban the import of plastic waste,it would not solve the issue as regional countries such as Thailand andIndonesia were still importing it.
Accordingto the minister, the most effective way is for developed countries to stopexporting their non-recyclable plastic materials.
Sheaffirmed that relevant ministries and agencies of Malaysia will do their best toensure that Malaysia will not be a dumping ground of plastic waste fordeveloped countries.-VNA
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