NGOs laud tougher Malaysia plastic trash import laws

Environmental groups welcomed on Monday Malaysia’s decision to tighten regulations on plastic waste imports, but urged stricter enforcement of the laws in a country that recycles tons of trash from the United States, Europe, and elsewhere each year. An amended law went into force in the Southeast Asian nation last week, effectively banning imports of plastic waste unless approval is given by the country’s standards watchdog.

One key change is that approval will only be given for waste imported from countries that have ratified the Basel Convention, set up in 1989 to reduce the cross-border movement of hazardous waste, particularly between developed and non-developed nations. Malaysia is one of the world’s biggest importers of plastic waste, accounting for over 433,000 metric tons worth $167 million in 2024, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said—enough to fill around 173 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The plastic is recycled into pellets which are then exported—mainly to China—for use in production of various items including carpets.

Both Friends of the Earth’s Meenakshi and Greenpeace Malaysia Zero Waste Campaigner Weng Dun Xin called on the US and other developed nations to stop using poorer nations to dump their trash. After passing the law, Malaysian authorities said they would ”not hesitate to act firmly against any individual or company that attempts to circumvent waste import controls or engage in illicit waste import activities”.

Source: Phys.org