Malaysia stamps return to sender on plastic waste
Asian country sends 3,000 tons of plastic waste back to countries of origin
Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia will send as much as 3,000 tons of plastic waste back to the countries it came from, the environment minister says, the latest Asian country to reject rich countries’ rubbish. Malaysia in 2018 became the world’s main destination for plastic waste after China banned its import, disrupting the flow of more than 7-million tons of the trash a year. Dozens of recycling factories have cropped up in Malaysia, many without operating licences, and communities have complained of environmental problems. Yeo Bee Yin, minister of energy, technology, science, environment and climate change, said 60 containers of trash that had been imported illegally would be sent back. “These containers were illegally brought into the country under false declaration and other offences which clearly violates our environmental law,” Yeo told reporters, after inspecting the shipments at Port Klang, on the outskirts of the capital. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week ordered his ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.