KUALA LAMPUR: Malaysia has said it will send back some 3,000 metric tonnes of non-recyclable plastic waste to countries including the UK, US, Canada and Australia, in a move to avoid becoming a dumping ground for rich nations.
It included cables from the UK, CDs from Bangladesh, contaminated milk cartons from Australia and electronic and household waste from North America, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China.
Environment minister Yeo Bee Yin said 60 containers stacked with contaminated waste had been smuggled into illegal processing facilities in Malaysia.
“This is probably just the tip of the iceberg (due) to the banning of plastic waste by China,” she said.
“Malaysia will not be a dumping ground to the world… we will fight back. Even though we are a small country, we can’t be bullied by developed countries.”
Ten containers will be sent back within two weeks, said the environment minister as the country takes action to avoid becoming a dumping ground for rich countries.
The UK used to send much of its plastic to China for processing, where it was used to make items such as computers, toys and appliances,
However, China banned imports of the world’s plastics in January 2018, meaning other countries have taken on a heavier load.
There are concerns the system of exporting waste could be inflating the UK’s recycling rates and failing to channel investment into recycling facilities here.
“We urge the developed countries to review their management of plastic waste and stop shipping the rubbish out to the developing countries,” she said. (Agencies)
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