Malaysian Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin (Photo: thestar) Hanoi (VNA) – The UK has agreed to take back 42 containers ofplastic waste illegally shipped to Malaysia, officials said on November 25.
Malaysian Minister of Energy, Science, Technology,Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin said the UK decided to repatriatethe containers, which had arrived at her country's Penang Port between March2018 and March 2019.
The move followeda recent visit by the British Environment Agency organised by the British HighCommission in response to news of the illegal shipment ofplastic waste from the UK.
The ministerhighly commended the British High Commission's proactive action of workingclosely with the ministry in repatriating 42 plastic import containers.
Thiscooperation signifies a recognition that plastic pollution is a global issuewhich requires commitment from various countries to address the problem, sheadded.
British HighCommissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay said the repatriation of these containersreflects his country’s commitment to fighting the illegal plastic waste trade.
Since lastyear, Southeast Asia has been the destination of plastic waste hailing fromdeveloped nations after China banned waste import. Over the past few months, apartfrom Malaysia, some other countries in the region like Indonesia and thePhilippines have also sent back hundreds of waste containers to the countriesof origin./.
VNA
