PENANG wants to ban the import of e-waste and post-consumer plastic waste to control the waste-processing industry and protect the environment and people’s health.

State environment exco Phee Boon Poh said Penang has to say no to municipal wastes from outside as there were already more than 200 factories processing recycled plastic illegally in the state.

The factories would process the post-consumer plastic waste for export through open smelting.

“We cannot allow them in. Imagine the dirty wastes that come in and need to be washed first. The dirty water goes into the system, affects the biodiversity and the seafood we eat.

“We don’t have imported e-waste yet but we don’t want a situation like in Selangor and Johor where there are such wastes.

“Pre-consumer plastic waste – like plastic utensils rejected due to defects, which have not been used – is okay,” he told reporters at the state legislative assembly building.

Phee earlier replied to a question on illegal factories in the house.

To ban the entry of e-waste and post-consumer plastic waste into Penang, he said, the state needs the federal government to give the nod because APs (approved permits) and the Customs Department come under federal jurisdiction.

There are 27 factories with APs to import plastic waste into Penang, Phee said.

He also suggested that the state exercise more control on the plastic waste processing business by zoning an area for such activities.

He said the zone must be near dumpsites like Pulau Burung in southern Seberang Prai and away from residential areas.

“We have to round them up and make them move. We are forced to make this decision. These illegal factories have been cooperating with the authorities, so we have to fight back with proper control.

“We are not denying them business but they have to be disciplined and run clean operations.” – November 12, 2018.