PUTRAJAYA will not immediately cease the multi-billion-ringgit plastic processing industry but has drastically reduced the issuance of import permits to only eight out of 114 recycling companies nationwide, said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

“One of the criteria for the issuance of the AP (approved permits) is that the application must be based on the quality of plastic waste, and not the garbage plastic,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

It was earlier reported that the government stopped giving out plastic waste APs since July 23.

The move followed reports of serious pollution in Kuala Langat and other areas in Selangor, caused by illegal factories processing imported plastic waste, Zuraida said.

However, Putrajaya will continue to award permits to importers who meet the guidelines and criteria set by the government.

“I want to maintain the plastic-processing industry in the country because it is worth RM30 billion.”

Companies applying for an AP should also obtain approval from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Department of Environment, she said.              

While the import of plastic waste from the UK and other developed countries continues, the government is looking to phase it out in three years.

“After that, we want to concentrate on the local recycling industries. We understand that sorting and recycling is not up to the level yet, so that’s why we are giving it three years.

“We also have to see if the plastic we generate internally can cater for the local volume of business. If not, we will extend (the permits).”

The government is in the midst of coming up with new guidelines and criteria for applicants so they can come back and apply for the AP. 

“We have received applications but we still have to approve them. We still have to carry out inspection before anything is approved.

“Customs (Royal Malaysian Customs Department) should also play a strategic role by checking on the plastics that are being imported.”

Importers will have to pay a fee and those who do not comply, fined.

“Importers of plastic waste will have to pay a levy of RM15 per tonne of the goods apart from submitting information on the source of the plastic waste.”

Since China banned the import of plastic waste on December 31, 2017, Malaysia has become a prime venue for plastic waste from the UK and other developed countries.

Environmentalists said this led to an increase in the number of illegal plastic recycling plants which have led to environmental degradation in the areas where they operate.

They said most of the imported plastics are unfit to be recycled and are discarded or burnt by the illegal recycling centres, while a small portion of the waste would be processed and resold in the market. – November 14, 2018.