THE plastics industry welcomes and supports the government’s drive to ensure environmental protection is in tandem with the nation’s development, as stated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Taman Tugu World Earth Day celebration on April 20.
This is why, as responsible manufacturers, the members of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association and the Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association support the Circular Economy model, where the redeployment and reuse of resources is a key organising principle.
Recycling plays an important role in protecting the environment, and proper managing and disposing of waste. As an economic activity, recycling creates new value that benefits society and contributes to sustainability.
A new framework was recently introduced by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, with 18 new criteria to ensure the recycling industry adheres to practices that do not harm the environment.
That said, we take the stand that Malaysia has no place for other countries’ rubbish and that we should not become the developed world’s dumpsite.
Local and international coverage of Earth Day have highlighted that developed countries, such as the United States and Australia, are only now realising that they have been exporting household and municipal waste to Southeast Asia, Malaysia in particular.
The government has clamped down on rampant smuggling of household and municipal waste into Malaysia, as well as illegal operators who process the smuggled rubbish. The Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, led by Yeo Bee Yin, has closed down more than 150 illegal operations since July last year.
We are ready to assist the government in its efforts to crack down on these unscrupulous and illegal operators in order to protect the environment.
THE MALAYSIAN PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AND MALAYSIA PLASTIC RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION
Kuala Lumpur