E-waste from US and Japan Flowing into Malaysia

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Electronic waste (e-waste) entering Malaysia illegally mainly originates from the United States and Japan, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He said Southeast Asia was increasingly becoming a dumping ground for waste from developed countries.

"Previously, China used to take in a lot of this waste. After China tightened its regulations in 2018, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are now suffering," he said.

"Previously, China used to take in a lot of this waste. After China tightened its regulations in 2018, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are now suffering," he said.

 Between 1 January and 13 May, the Department of Environment inspected 179 containers on suspicion of carrying e-waste.

"Out of that figure, 68 per cent, or 122 containers, were confirmed to have carried e-waste," he told reporters at Port Klang today.

On 4 March, the authorities acted on intelligence from a US-based non-governmental organisation to inspect 354 containers suspected of carrying e-waste to Port Klang from the United States, he said.

Nik Nazmi said investigations found that importers had falsely declared the contents of the containers.

Following that, the government issued 119 orders to return the containers to the country of origin under Sections 31 and 37 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Nik Nazmi added that the authorities would ensure Malaysia does not become a dumping ground.

"We hope that exporting countries, especially developed nations, ensure that their waste is managed well without having to send them out.

"Any shipment must adhere to the agreements and international conventions," he said.

Nik Nazmi said that plastic waste shipments without the necessary permits would be ordered to return to the originating country.

 Courtesy: www.nst.com.my