ILLEGAL DUMPING IS AN ECONOMIC AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUE
ILLEGAL DUMPING IS AN ECONOMIC AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUE
Recent incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish and even potentially hazardous chemicals into the Klang River have put the spotlight on the issue of gaps and weaknesses in Malaysia’s waste management system. Two weeks ago, a lorry was recorded dumping household rubbish into the river, and days later 250 drums of glycerin were found on the river bank.
More recently, a local academic posted a video over the weekend showing that illegal dumping has continued at a known site in a forest in Gombak even after local authorities were notified, and after the Gombak Works Department said it would seal off this and nine other illegal dumpsites in the area.
This secret and illegal disposal of waste of all types is a serious leakage from the waste management system, and the source of pollution in the rivers, seas and oceans.
Illegal dumping, whether into rivers or on idle land, threatens the environment and, in the long term, our health and safety. It also costs money, in the form of clean-ups or healthcare, or even a drop in the value of property in the vicinity. Ultimately, the bulk of this cost is borne by the public, either as taxpayers or customers.
In order to reduce illegal dumping, the authorities must examine and understand where and why such leakage occurs, and address the gaps in order to create an effective waste management for Malaysia. To do this requires wider collaboration among all parties involved from regulators to business and industry and to consumers and households.
Regulators are not limited to the National Solid Waste Management Department and the Department of Environment, but include local authorities in every state as well as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
Illegal dumping is driven by economic incentives and convenience, and the absence of punishment, or ineffective enforcement, as was demonstrated earlier this year with the “sampah plastik” issue. Illegal dumping, like littering, is also a behavioural issue which cannot be addressed through blanket bans. It must be addressed as an infrastructure and system design issue and not just as an enforcement issue.
Addressing and preventing illegal dumping and littering, like the “sampah plastik” issue, will require a problem-solving approach, rather than knee-jerk measures like blanket bans. Careful analysis must be applied to identify the right measure or policy intervention in the design of an effective waste management system, preventing pollution and protecting the environment.
These include economic and social incentives to facilitate and promote behaviour change, and not just physical facilities. We also need a multi-stakeholder collaboration from all parties across the value chain from Government, brand owners, retailers, NGOs and consumers and industry.
Illegal dumping and litter are sources of environmental pollution, be it on land or at sea. MPMA has advocated the proper disposal of rubbish and waste under our “Don’t be a Litterbug” campaigns “Use a Bin” programme since 2012.
We need to continue our education efforts on a proper waste disposal, practising the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and more urgently we need to work towards establishing an advanced plastics recycling industry for Malaysia.
Recycling is a core component of an effective waste management system and plays a vital role in protecting the environment. It is the key element of Circular Economy, a system that moves away from the old “take-make-use-throw” progression. In a circular economy, waste becomes a valuable resource, to be recycled as raw material, made into new products and not thrown away. This reduces the need to extract more natural resources and the impact on the environment.
MPMA and MPRA are committed to developing a clean, vibrant and healthy plastics recycling industry that would boost the country’s recycling rate and contribute to a cleaner, greener Malaysia. But we cannot do this alone.
MPMA & MPRA
18 NOVEMBER 2019
MALAYSIA BRINGS TOGETHER PLASTICS INDUSTRIES FROM ASIAN REGION TO PROMOTE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
MALAYSIA BRINGS TOGETHER PLASTICS INDUSTRIES FROM ASIAN REGION TO PROMOTE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
PETALING JAYA, 15 November 2019: Fighting litter and preventing plastics from entering the environment is a joint effort by the plastics industry working together with governments, brand owners, consumers and communities, leaders of Asia’s plastics industry chimed at the 18th Term Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Plastics Industries (AFPI) and the 29th Asia Plastics Forum (APF).
“Litter remains the most pressing problem as a source of plastic waste and pollution and must be addressed as part of Asian countries’ efforts to develop a Circular Economy and a New Plastics Economy,” said APF secretary-general, Callum Chen.
“There simply is no technology to address littering. It is behavioural change that is needed to make the difference. The plastics industry alone cannot solve littering. It requires Government, environment groups, NGOs all coming together alongside the industry,” he added.
Some 50 industry leaders and experts from Asia’s plastics industry gathered today at the annual conference. Hosted by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) who acts as the secretariat of APF and recently assumed its role as the Chairman of AFPI in September 2019, the conference was officiated by YB Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of International Trade, and Industry (MITI).
“This platform is a necessary initiative to empower the local industry and motivate the industry players, particularly small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to remain aware of the current challenges and help them in assessing their capabilities and readiness to compete on a global scale. This is particularly important amidst growing consumer preference for sustainable solutions that can address concern for single use plastics,” said YB Dr Ong Kian Ming.
Every year, the AFPI Conference is held in conjunction with the APF and is rotated amongst 12 countries. Themed “Building a resilient and innovative plastics industry” this year, the participants explored new trends in plastics waste management and business opportunities in the circular economy.
They also discussed how to innovate in order to develop a New Plastics Economy and were briefed on the establishment of the Malaysian Plastics Pact and multi-stakeholder collaborations.
“ASEAN economies must be able to participate in these megatrends if their futures are to be assured. Threats to the value of labour, skills sets, foreign direct investments, income and wealth distribution and ultimately governance systems are growing, and likely to become more critical in the future,” said Datuk Lim Kok Boon, AFPI Chairman and MPMA President.
“As an Asian regional group, we need to emphasise the importance of a circular economy and collaboration between our member countries. This regenerative approach, in contrast to the linear economy of “take-make-use-throw” system, requires the participation of all the parties in the entire chain,” he added
“Recycling is the key element of the Circular Economy. Together with Malaysian Plastics Recycling Association (MPRA), MPMA has committed to developing a clean, vibrant and healthy plastics recycling industry that would create a new engine of growth for employment and a dynamic export sector,” added Datuk Lim.
To achieve this long-term target, MPMA and MPRA in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia had published a White Paper on Advanced Plastics Recycling Industry for Malaysia. Launched recently in October 2019, the White Paper suggests for all stakeholders to have further discussions and consultations to advance and modernise the plastics recycling sector.
The AFPI conference was attended by government officials and key players across the supply chain from the 12 APF member countries, namely Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Langka, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
MPMA, CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL, KDEB WASTE MANAGEMENT, TZU CHI MALAYSIA CONTINUES DRIVING MARINE LITTER AND POLLUTION AWARENESS IN CLEAN UP WITH COMMUNITY OF BAGAN HAILAM
Photo 1: The community of Bagan Hailam working together to clean up the designated area in the fishing village at the Bagan Hailam Cleanup Programme 2019, jointly sponsored by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) Waste Management Sdn Bhd, Chevron Phillips Chemical Malaysia and Tzu-Chi Malaysia.
Photo 2 & 3: Before and after photos of the designated clean up area in Bagan Hailam
KLANG, 3 NOVEMBER 2019: The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has taken its campaign to raise awareness on marine litter and pollution to the century-old fishing village of Bagan Hailam, Selangor, clearing 2.5 tonnes of litter in a hot-spot area that was strewn with rubbish.
The Bagan Hailam Cleanup Programme 2019 brought together Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) Waste Management Sdn Bhd, Chevron Phillips Chemical Malaysia, Tzu-Chi Malaysia and MPMA. The Programme Partners working together with the community, spent the better half of the morning clearing the hot spot.
“Marine litter and pollution is a result of ineffective waste management and lack of civic awareness. We want to change this by putting a stop to the behavioural problem that is littering and keep the community informed on proper ways in managing their waste,” said MPMA Vice President, Dato’ Raymond Sng.
The 2.5 tonnes of rubbish was largely contaminated waste which was taken by KDEB Waste Management to the Jeram sanitary landfill.
The clean up event is part of a longer-term effort to empower the residents of Bagan Hailam to address improper waste disposal, and raise awareness on marine litter and the importance of preventing pollution in the rivers and marine environment.
Joint sponsor KDEB Waste Management will be providing leach bins at specific locations in Bagan Hailam to encourage the proper disposal of waste, which will reduce marine litter and mismanaged plastics waste. Meanwhile, volunteers from Tzu-Chi will continue to hold a recycling day once a month in the area where they have been since 2016.
“Education and raising awareness is key in changing behaviour and KDEB is pleased to collaborate with MPMA, Chevron Phillips and Tzu Chi for Bagan Hailam. This clean up is part of KDEB’s ongoing efforts since 2017 to spread awareness in targeted communities who may be less informed on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle),” said Puan Mahfuzah Binti Muhamad Tarmidi, Head of Media and Public Relation.
Since 2018, MPMA has initiated beach cleanup activities in several locations across the country as part of The International Coastal Cleanup movement, a programme initiated by Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit environmental advocacy group based in the United States.
In November last year, MPMA had collaborated with Tzu Chi to complete a month long clean up programme with the resident of Sungai Satu, Pulau Ketam, a small fishing village located off the coast near Port Klang which saw an outstanding 9,860 kg of waste collected out of which 800 kg are recyclables that could have been sent to the landfills.
“There needs to be a civic consciousness to handle waste properly and send recyclables to the right place, not misdirected to the landfills. We need to stop the litterbug habits, do our part in supporting an efficient waste management system, in order to build a cleaner and greener Malaysia. I hope that this clean up effort carries on and Bagan Hailam will restore its village beauty and attractions,” Sng concluded.
MPMA-DOW-SCIENTEX SEES INCREASED WASTE MANAGEMENT AWARENESS IN MELAKA YOUTH
MPMA-DOW-SCIENTEX SEES INCREASED WASTE MANAGEMENT AWARENESS IN MELAKA YOUTH
Photo 1: At the Closing Ceremony for the MPMA-DOW-Scientex School Environment Programme 2019.(front row 3rd from left) Dow representative, Mr Yeoh Lian Kuan, Sales Manager, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Infrastructure, Consumer and Transportation, Packaging and Specialty Plastics; (front row 7th from left) Mr. Yau Kuan Yee, Executive Director, Scientex Berhad; (front row 8th from left) MPMA Vice President, Dato’ Raymond Sng
Photo 2: Champion for Primary School SK Bukit Beringin receiving their award from Mr. Yau Kuan Yee, Executive Director, Scientex Berhad . Looking on are from left Dow representative, Mr Yeoh Lian Kuan, Sales Manager, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Infrastructure, Consumer and Transportation, Packaging and Specialty Plastics and MPMA Vice President, Dato’ Raymond Sng.
Photo 3: Champion for Secondary Schools, SMK Naning.
MELAKA, 5 November 2019: The collaborative School Environmental Challenge, organized by The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) with support from Dow Chemical Company and Scientex Berhad, increased the number of participating schools by more than five times since its launch in 2016, signifying a major shift in awareness on the issue of waste management amongst its participating youth.
The programme came to a close with today’s awards ceremony to celebrate the fourth consecutive School Environmental Challenge, awarding 34 schools in Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin, Melaka.
The Zero Waste Challenge, which is part of the overall programme, is designed to encourage students to re-think their relationship with waste.
The Zero Waste Challenge has three elements – an education and awareness component; a #PullingOurWeight clean-up component; and a recyclables collection component. The elements are intended to guide students to understand the benefits of plastics, to address environmental issues related to plastics, and to take actions to manage plastics – through waste separation for recycling.
MPMA Vice President, Dato’ Raymond Sng said, “The underlying principle behind the elements of the Zero Waste Challenge is that only by understanding and practising these elements, can we help reduce waste going to landfills and reduce littering to help prevent plastics from ending up in the environment.”
Dr. Zhang Han, APAC Sustainability Director, Packaging & Specialty Plastics, The Dow Chemical Company said, “We participated in the programme with MPMA in Melaka in 2016 with six schools and just over 500 students. Today, we have five times more schools and a 100-fold increase in the students’ participation rate. We can truly see the impact of students making a conscious effort to clean the environment and practice the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”
Mr Yau Kuan Yee, Executive Director, Scientex Berhad added, ‘MPMA and Scientex has a history of school environmental collaborations in Johor, Melaka and Klang Valley. We are proud to return to Melaka with Dow this year. Protecting the environment is everybody’s responsibility and we hope that students continue to practise what they have learnt from the Zero Waste Challenge.’
The MPMA-DOW-Scientex programme kicked-off with a briefing on 24 July 2019 entitled “Why Plastics” that hosted 219 teachers from 217 school in Melaka. The briefing provided science-based information on waste management, focusing primarily on plastics and its impact on the environment. The Zero Waste Challenge was promoted at the briefing, and selected schools signed up to participate in the competition.
The competition required students to undertake; i. An education and awareness talk on plastics waste management; ii. Organise a dedicated day for #PullingOurWeight cleanup activity; and iii. Undertake a campaign on plastics waste management by collecting recyclables.
This year, MPMA expanded the programme module to be more forward-looking which emphasised plastics recycling as a core component of an effective waste management and circular economy. This is in line with its recent white paper titled “An Advanced Plastics Recycling Industry for Malaysia.”
“The basic concepts of circular economy, including the importance of plastics waste management and how recycling plays a key role in our economy are key values that will help preserve the environment for future generations,” Sng added.
SK Bukit Beringin from Alor Gajah won the “Zero Waste Challenge in the Primary School Category” and took home RM5,000. SK Air Baru from Jasin won RM4,000 for second place, while SJKC Notre Dame from Melaka Tengah won RM3,000 for third place.
SMK Naning from Alor Gajah won the “Zero Waste Challenge in the Secondary School Category” and took home RM5,000, SMK Tun Tuah from Melaka Tengah won RM4,000 for second place, while SMK Seri Mahkota from Jasin won RM3,000 for third place.
BUDGET 2020: BUILD AN ADVANCED PLASTICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY TO TURN WASTE INTO WEALTH
BUDGET 2020: BUILD AN ADVANCED PLASTICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY TO TURN WASTE INTO WEALTH
Malaysia needs the right policies and investment framework that will catalyse an advanced plastics recycling industry, to create a new engine of growth for employment and drive a dynamic export sector for Malaysia through turning waste into wealth. A clean, vibrant and healthy plastics recycling industry is needed to support more effective recycling of plastics from Malaysian households and prevent littering which pollutes our environment.
As representatives of the plastics recycling industry, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and Malaysian Plastics Recyclers Association (MPRA) hope that Budget 2020 will contain allocations for programmes under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to improve household waste separation, especially the separation of recyclable plastics.
Authorities need to find new ways of reducing and preventing littering, which could be achieved through a small-grant Litter Innovation Fund, for example, under the purview of the Ministry. Small grants could be awarded to spur anti-littering programmes and studies or subsidise infrastructure or equipment. A Litter Innovation Fund has been established in England, UK, to support innovative research projects that have the potential to be scaled up, or applied more widely, with grant recipients required to match a proportion of the funding, and deliver their projects within six months.
Alternatively establishing a fund for projects that encourage more effective separation of households’ recyclable plastic waste would produce more homogenous and higher quality plastic waste streams and reduce contamination. This in turn raises the recovery rate of recyclables and prevents valuable material from being disposed in landfill. Well-designed programmes supported by such a fund would also engage communities and raise awareness of waste reduction and recycling which in turn supports behaviour change among households.
On a related platform, a Circular Economy Fund could be established to accelerate Malaysia’s transition towards a circular economy which keeps resources in the economy through reusing and recycling, instead of being disposed in landfill. Encouraging the use of recycled materials in the making of new products is a core principle of the Circular Economy.
Such a fund would aim to support manufacturers who use recycled plastics and other recycled materials in their products, for example, or incentivise design projects that drive innovation to make recycling easier which in turn raises the value of recyclables, and ensures a higher quality of recyclates.
These and similar measures should be key components to the Dasar Plastik which is to be drafted by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, as a foundation for a sustainable waste management system for Malaysia, thus contributing to Malaysia’s transition to a circular economy.
Meanwhile, the plastics recycling industry itself has recognised the need to escape the lower end of the value chain, and for upgrading the technology it relies on. Aside from a clear regulatory and investment framework, incentives such as a reinvestment allowance for plastics recycling industry would support the development of a clean, advanced and modern industry.
With a large proportion among Malaysian plastics recyclers being small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reinvestment allowances would help in obtaining the necessary resources to advance and invest in new technologies and machines in order to compete, and consistently meet the high quality that export markets demand. An increase in the allocation of market development grant would incentivise SMEs to drive their export promotional activities, through attending international exhibitions.
Malaysia needs a sustainable and viable plastics recycling industry to support its industrial and manufacturing sectors, and that means well-designed and effective policies and regulations to strengthen Malaysia’s waste management system and prevent improperly disposed plastics from polluting the environment.
Malaysia is in critical need of wider collaboration, as managing the flows of plastics from cradle to the grave is a multi-stakeholder undertaking. MPMA and MPRA have made a commitment to supporting this collaborative process, as outlined in the joint white paper ‘An Advanced Plastics Recycling Industry for Malaysia’ launched on October 1, 2019. This will support Malaysia’s position as a thriving manufacturing and trading economy, while transitioning to a sustainable recycling nation.
MPMA & MPRA
7 OCTOBER 2019
MPMA PROMOTES INDUSTRY 4.0 THROUGH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PLASTICS INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
MPMA PROMOTES INDUSTRY 4.0 THROUGH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PLASTICS INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Connect @ i4.0 Plastics Industry Conference by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), connecting plastics-making entrepreneurs with technology experts [From left to right: Datuk Noraini Soltan, Vice-President of MPMA; Mr Elanjelian, Chief Executive of Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF); Dr Sumitra Nair, Vice-President of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)]
PUTRAJAYA, 19 SEPTEMBER 2019: Approximately 100 participants attended the Connect @ i4.0 Plastics Industry Conference 2019 at Zenith Putrajaya, today, an event that connects plastics-making entrepreneurs with technology experts on creating smart factories through digitalisation, advanced manufacturing, robotics, under Industry 4.0.
This one-day conference, attended by mostly by small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), is the first-of-its-kind by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) in effort to foster an advanced and innovative industry that embraces Industry 4.0 in plastics manufacturing.
MPMA brought together representatives from Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for sessions with participants, and presented case studies by local and foreign companies on ‘Smart Factory and Automation’ as well as ‘What You Need to Lead in i4.0 – Talent Development’.
“Embracing Industry 4.0 is no longer a choice. The industry is grappling with rising operational cost, domestic labour crunch, increased levels of product quality and consistency, and more efficient production operations among others,” said Datuk Noraini Soltan, the Vice-President of MPMA.
“In the face of these challenges, it is crucial for all of our industry players to advance our manufacturing model into one that offers more innovation-based and high-value production, to enhance efficiency and capture long-term competitiveness at the global level,” she continued.
Through this Conference, participants are able to understand how to digitalise their processes, explore the technology and innovation available and meet experts who would be able to guide them in the process.
MPMA also sponsored representatives and students from government and private training institutions to join the Conference.
“This experience will give them exposure on what is happening and future advancement for the industry. The whole idea is for them to input back what is learnt into the education system,” she added.
The papers presented will cover topics such as robotic solutions for plastics-based industries, material handling automation, vision technology systems, production optimisation, workforce transformation as well as intelligent factories vs intelligent people.
Digitalisation, advanced manufacturing, robotics, additive manufacturing are just a few of the technologies taking the industry toward industry 4.0/the Smart Factory. What does this mean for the plastics industry? What are the benefits and how does it all come together? These are some of the questions the Conference will seek to address and provide first-hand knowledge from industry leaders who are working to achieve smart manufacturing practices.
MPMA has been strongly promoting industry 4.0 models to its members through numerous initiatives. MPMA was the first association to introduce the concept of a smart factory to its members at the Conference on Future of Innovation for the Plastics Industry in 2015. More recently, it organised the industry 4.0 technical training courses, “First Step to Injection Moulding 4.0”. The course saw a group of 100 technicians and engineers through a 12-month pilot programme that was completed in November 2018.
MALAYSIA NEEDS COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS PLASTICS THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE-CYCLE
MALAYSIA NEEDS COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS PLASTICS THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE-CYCLE
MALAYSIA needs a circular economy approach to waste management where waste can be a resource and materials can have an extended lifecycle by being properly recycled.
Rampant illegal dumping, gone unchecked for years such as on the land in Sungai Petani that has been seized by the Kedah government recently shows that our country’s policy framework and infrastructure for materials recycling is incomplete and needs realignment.
To help curb pollution, Malaysia needs a healthy recycling industry that can cope with the rising affluence of its population and the corresponding increase in all recyclables, not just plastics, to be recovered from the solid waste generated.
Recycling is not only vital in protecting the environment and properly managing and disposing of waste, it is crucial to creating new value that benefits society and contributes to sustainability. Waste plastics such as automotive parts or computer peripherals like keyboards that are generated by production overruns can be recycled to add new value and promote sustainability in various industrial sectors.
A healthy recycling industry needs effective sorting facilities or Material Recovery Facilities where separated recyclables are sorted into waste streams. It is vital to sort separated recyclables into more specific waste streams to produce higher grade feedstock which are more in demand for recycling into new products.
To illustrate, uncoloured glass and PET bottles are more valuable than coloured, and glass and PET bottles sorted by colour are more valuable than mixed colours.
Clear regulatory and investment framework is crucial to encourage the desired transformation into a high value, advanced, automated, clean and compliant industry. Currently, opaque regulations and fluid policy directions are hurting investments in the recycling sector as investors are unsure of economic viability.
Recyclable plastics should not be buried in landfill, where they are lost as a resource instead of being used over and over.
A clean and vibrant plastics recycling industry would be a new engine of growth for employment and exports. In addition to supporting Malaysia’s industrial and manufacturing sectors, a sustainable and viable plastics recycling industry contributes to reducing pollution.
We fully support Government efforts to escalate enforcement against illegal dumping such as that found in Sungai Petani, and 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 continue to support and are ready to assist the Government in efforts to crack down on unscrupulous and illegal operators and to protect the environment.
We also call for a proper forum to discuss a robust, effective regulatory framework for this industry and Malaysia’s role in the circular economy where the redeployment and reuse of resources is a key organising principle.
MPMA & MPRA
1 AUGUST 2019
G20 OSAKA BLUE OCEAN VISION IS A STEP FORWARD FOR THE ASIAN PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MARINE LITTER
G20 OSAKA BLUE OCEAN VISION IS A STEP FORWARD FOR THE ASIAN PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MARINE LITTER
The Asia Plastics Forum (APF) welcomes the G20’s call for the world to unite in the fight against marine litter under a common global vision of the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, and recognising that the key lies in reducing plastic litter through improved waste management. Effective waste management closely supported by a strong recycling industry is the way forward towards implementing an effective and efficient Circular Economy model which recognizes the important role of plastics for society.
As the secretariat of APF, the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) applauds this effort which is in line with the plastics industry’s view that littering has resulted in plastic debris in the marine environment. Plastics do not belong in the world’s oceans and should not be littered – plastics should be responsibly used, reused, and recycled.
Japan’s leadership on this matter in the G20 is reflected by initiatives such as the Japan Initiative for Marine Environment (JaIME) for Asian emerging countries to observe and experience Japan’s Plastic Waste Management system as a model for a more sustainable future.
For over 10 years, APF has provided a platform for Asian countries to address sustainability issues affecting the plastics industry, especially on plastics litter.
ASIA PLASTICS FORUM (APF)
2 JULY 2019
FOCUS ON SMUGGLERS AND ILLEGAL OPERATIONS, NOT LAW-ABIDING RECYCLERS
FOCUS ON SMUGGLERS AND ILLEGAL OPERATIONS, NOT LAW-ABIDING RECYCLERS
IN calling for another blanket ban, the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) is hurting law-abiding and licensed manufacturers and businesses in Malaysia instead of focussing on smugglers and illegal operators.
A blanket ban would hurt plastics recyclers who have complied with the law and the existing regulatory framework and could drive them out of business. Instead of punishing smugglers and lawbreakers, it is the employees and their families who would be penalised through losing their livelihoods.
If legal plastics recyclers go out of business, it would hurt the environment as well because legal plastics recyclers also recycle Malaysia’s own domestic plastics waste. Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment and properly managing and disposing of waste.
As an economic activity, recycling is crucial to creating new value that benefits society and contributes to sustainability. Legal operators support Malaysia’s manufacturing and export sectors in industries such as electrical and electronics, automotive and others. A total ban would bring Malaysia’s participation in the global circular economy to a halt.
The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and the Malaysia Plastics Recyclers Association (MPRA) would like to point out that the Malaysian government has not allowed imports of ‘sampah plastik’ since 2008.
All law-abiding plastics recyclers have complied with this ban, which means ‘sampah plastik’ from overseas was smuggled into Malaysia and illegally imported. We hope the continuing debate will focus on the more immediate problem of how to properly dispose of existing ‘sampah plastik’ and prevent future smuggling. This would be more productive than harming legitimate businesses which have not broken the law.
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.
We will continue to work with relevant government authorities to properly discuss a robust, effective regulatory framework for this industry and Malaysia’s role in the circular economy where the redeployment and reuse of resources is a key organising principle.
MPMA & MPRA
20 JUNE 2019
BLANKET BANS ARE NOT A SOLUTION TO STOP SMUGGLING
BLANKET BANS ARE NOT A SOLUTION TO STOP SMUGGLING
HASTY calls by non-governmental organisations for a blanket ban on so-called “plastics waste” are unnecessary, ill-considered, and harm law-abiding manufacturers and businesses in Malaysia.
In referring to “plastics waste”, NGOs are lumping permitted imports together with smuggled ‘sampah plastik’. 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.
The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and the Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association (MPRA) would like to point out that ‘sampah plastik’ from overseas has been banned meaning any such wastes in Malaysia are smuggled and illegally imported. Blanket bans do not and cannot address the issue of smuggling and do hurt legitimate businesses.
We worry that there could be a repeat of the 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.
Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment and properly managing and disposing of waste. As an economic activity, recycling is in fact crucial to creating new value that benefits society and contributes 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. 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.
We also call for a proper forum to properly discuss a robust, effective regulatory framework for this industry and Malaysia’s role in the circular economy where the redeployment and reuse of resources is a key organising principle.
MPMA & MPRA
29 MAY 2019