THE government will ban imports of all non-recyclable solid waste, particularly plastic, says Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin.

She said the measures were taken to ensure the country’s solid waste was well-managed and to reduce plastic pollution as well as ensuring Malaysia was not a dumping ground for waste from developed countries.

“Plastic waste is varied, some are homogenous, smooth and clean, which can be recycled, but there is mix plastic waste that cannot be recycled and usually used by illegal factories.

“The ministry will ensure that any solid waste that cannot be properly recycled and does not follow the Environmental Quality Act will be banned,” she said during the ministers’ question time session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was replying to a question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) who wanted to know if the government intended to impose a total ban on imports of solid waste into the country. – Bernama, October 16, 2018.