Plastic Waste: Malaysia Struggles As global Scrap Piles Up

Plastic waste is piled outside an illegal recycling factory in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat October 14, 2018. — Reuters pic

"Dozens of factories have opened up in Malaysia to handle that waste, many without an operating licence, using low-end technology and harmful methods of disposal."

(Reuters - 25 October 2018)

Hundreds of sacks filled with plastic waste from the United States, Britain, South Korea and Spain spill onto the streets of an industrial zone in Pulau Indah, an island town just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur and home to Malaysia’s biggest port. 

The stench of burning plastic and fumes from nearly a dozen recycling factories wafts through the neighbourhood, even as more container-loads of plastic waste are unloaded.

Pulau Indah — ironically, the name means “beautiful island” in Malay — is one of many towns in Malaysia where illegal plastic recycling factories have popped up in recent months as the South-east Asian nation became the top choice for plastic waste exporters from around the world.

The trigger for this dumping deluge was a Chinese ban on waste imports from the beginning of this year, which disrupted the flow of more than 7 million tonnes of plastic scrap a year.

Malaysia quickly became the leading alternative destination, importing nearly half a million tonnes of plastic waste between January and July from just its top 10 source-countries. 

Dozens of factories have opened up in Malaysia to handle that waste, many without an operating licence, using low-end technology and harmful methods of disposal.

“The situation is getting worse, especially with more and more illegal plastic recycling factories,” Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia’s minister of energy, technology, science, climate change and environment, told parliament last week.

Used plastic is recycled into pellets, which are then used to manufacture other plastic products, but the process comes with pollution risks. 

Plastic unsuitable for recycling is burnt, which releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Or it ends up in landfill, potentially contaminating soil and water sources.

Yeo said she does not want Malaysia to be the “trash can” for developed nations, but Housing Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who oversees the waste management department, told Reuters that the government also does not want to miss out on a business that could be worth billions.

Both ministers are members of a government committee studying its options for dealing with the growing pile of plastic waste. 

Burning plastic 

In the Pulau Indah industrial zone, Reuters reporters saw nearly a dozen recycling plants, many of them without signboards or company names, though government data shows only two factories in that area have a licence to import plastic waste.

One of the bigger ones, Jingye Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, was shut down in August for not having a licence, according to an official notice seen by Reuters. But workers in the factory and others nearby say it reopened within weeks, and when Reuters reporters visited earlier this month, it was operating. Plastic waste was stacked up within the premises and all along the road.

The factory supervisor declined to comment. Company records show Jingye was set up in Malaysia in October 2017, three months after China said it would ban imports of foreign waste from 2018.

Reuters could not reach the owners of the factory and no contact details were listed in records.

One worker in the industrial zone, who did not want to be identified, said there were as many as eight illegal factories in the zone and many openly burned plastic that cannot be recycled.

“Every night they burn. I see black smoke at night, so I go over and ask him ‘why are you trying to kill me?’ They ignore me,” he said.

In the nearby district of Kuala Langat, authorities found 41 factories operating illegally, many of them run by Chinese companies, according to Housing Minister Zuraida.

Around 30 were shut down by authorities in the last three months after residents complained of open burning of plastic and health complications.

Plastic waste is piled outside an illegal recycling factory in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat October 14, 2018. — Reuters pic 

Stricter rules

It is unclear how the illegal factories are sourcing plastic waste. 

Zuraida said some of the 95 companies that have a permit to import and recycle such waste are subcontracting to illegal factories as they lack the capacity to handle such volumes.

Malaysia’s imports of plastic waste from its 10 biggest source-countries jumped to 456,000 tonnes between January and July, versus 316,600 tonnes purchased in all of 2017 and 168,500 tonnes in 2016.

The United States, the world’s top exporter of plastic waste, sent 178,238 tonnes of such waste to Malaysia between January and July, nearly twice as much as it sent to second top destination, Thailand, according to the United Nations’ trade database and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. Britain, another big plastic waste exporter, sends a quarter of its waste to Malaysia, also more than any other country.

Environment Minister Yeo estimated that the plastic recycling industry would earn Malaysia RM3.5 billion this year. Zuraida said she planned to introduce new rules soon that will make it harder for factories to qualify for an import licence. 

 “I understand plastic recycling is quite lucrative. So I am also thinking should we miss this economic opportunity? This is something the committee will study,” Zuraida told Reuters.

If such an option is pursued, Malaysia would do so on strict terms, require high-end, green technology and allow factories to operate only in heavy industrial areas, she said. 

The factories are currently located haphazardly, including near or within residential areas. In Kuala Langat, southwest of Kuala Lumpur, a massive recycling factory nestled between palm plantations was shut down three months ago. 

But 3m tall towers of plastic waste — mostly consumer packaging material from the United States, Britain, France, Netherlands, Germany and Australia — were still piled in the front yard. A large plot of land next to the factory has been turned into a dumping site for scrap.

Weather To Return To Normal in Malaysia By End Of May

KUALA LUMPUR, (May, 2, 2016) : The hot weather due to the El Nino phenomenon which is currently sweeping Malaysia  is expected to return to normal by the end of May, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department's National Geophysics and Weather Operations Centre meteorologist Khairul Najib Ibrahim.

He said this was following the damp weather conditions with rain and thunderstorms occurring in the afternoon in most areas of the country, which is expected to gradually reduce the effects of the phenomenon.

"This condition (wet weather) involves a number of areas including the West coast of the peninsula, the western and central parts of Sarawak, and several divisions in Sabah.

"This comes as the country is undergoing a transitional monsoon phase where the prevailing winds are usually weak and bring rain with thunderstorms in the late evenings, and sometimes extends until early next morning, especially on the West coast of the peninsula," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur,  Wednesday.

El Nino occurs when the water surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean rises considerably higher than average, leading to changes in air circulation patterns.

The phenomenon which has lasted since February, has also resulted in a number of states experiencing water supply problems as the water levels in several major dams have decreased.

However, Khairul Najib said the heat wave status for Peninsular Malaysia as of April 26,  still showed relatively high temperatures recorded in the northern and central regions of the Peninsula, as well as the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak.

"Maximum temperature of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius was reported to have occurred in several areas including Gua Musang in Kelantan, Jerantut in Pahang, Jempol in Negeri Sembilan, as well as Mersing and Segamat in Johor.

"The temperatures in Sabah and Sarawak are still at normal levels, except in a few areas, namely Kota Marudu, Tongod and Beluran in Sabah, and Limbang in Sarawak," he said.

Meanwhile, the hot and dry weather also caused a decline in water levels involving several dams in Johor, namely Sungai Lebam in Kota Tinggi, Congok and Mersing and Sungai Layang Masai in Johor Baharu.

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Resource Management and Engineering deputy director Khithob Ahmad said the drop in water levels was caused by the prolonged hot weather in the country.

"Rain only occurs in several areas in Johor, but rarely in catchment areas.

"Accordingly, SPAN will continue monitoring with water supply operators in the country to ensure there is sufficient water supply. We will also try to find solutions to overcome the water supply problem during the dry season," he said.

However, he said in the event of water shortage, SPAN will regulate the water supply in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, another person has died of heatstroke, raising to two the number of people who have succumbed to the condition so far this year due to the El Nino phenomenon.

The latest fatality was 23-year-old Wan Mohd Aliff Faisal Wan Ismedi, a trainee of the basic course for young volunteer servicemen, who died on Tuesday at a polytechnic in Jitra, Kedah.

The first death from heatstroke occurred last month. A police trainee constable, Azizan Ayon, 23, died in Segamat, Johor.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said six other trainees of the young volunteer servicemen course also suffered heatstroke and were treated as outpatients.

He also said that the health ministry as of yesterday recorded 200 cases related to the heat.

In Pahang, he said, there was a case of heatstroke also on Tuesday at an institution of higher learning which required intensive care while eight other people suffered from heat exhaustion following exposure to extreme heat during outdoor activities.

This group of students reportedly participated in a national-level endurance competition that tested their physical resilience.

"One case of heatstroke and two cases of heat exhaustion were treated at Sultan Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, five cases of heat exhaustion were referred to Jengka Hospital and one case was treated as outpatient at a clinic of an institution of higher learning in Pahang," he said.

All these cases were among the 200 cases related to heat treated at government health facilities - 52 of them heat cramps, 126, heat exhaution and 22, heatstroke.

Dr Noor Hisham advised the people to postpone or restrict strenuous activities such as kayaking, cycling, marathon running and mountain climbing until after the heat wave had subsided.

"If outdoor activities cannot be avoided, they must shorten the period of such exercise or take longer rests and drink plenty of water," he said.

The public can find out about preventive measures and healthcare tips for the hot weather at the ministry website at www.infosihat.gov.my or www.moh.gov.my.

Effect Of Climate Change And Global Warming Is Real, Cannot Be Viewed Lightly - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Wednesday (2 Disember 2015) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the effect of climate change and global warming is real, and cannot be viewed lightly.

"Its effects are real and Malaysians are not spared from feeling the effects of it. Our drought seasons are prolonged, as our rainy seasons too. We suffer from water supply crises in some states as well as one of the worst floods the country has seen in decades," he said in his latest posting in his blog www.najibrazak.com.

Najib said fighting climate change is an on-going effort that must be led by the Government, and undertaken and supported by everyone in the country.

"The government is ready to address this issue head on - Malaysia intends to reduce reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45 percent by 2030 relative to the emissions intensity of GDP in 2005.

"This consists of 35 per cent on an unconditional basis and a further 10 per cent is condition upon receipt of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building from developed countries," he said.

Najib said Malaysia together with 181 countries have submitted the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) for the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference, currently ongoing in Paris, reaffirming its stand and commitment in fighting climate change.

He said despite the government launching several initiatives since 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) which includes the National Biofuel Policy (2006), Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan (2010), "we have not done enough."

"The United Nations data showed that Malaysia ranked 26th worldwide in 2012 when it came to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel combustion," he said.

Najib said Malaysia remained steadfast and committed in its mission to reduce Malaysia's carbon footprint and under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), policies that will further focus on pursuing green growth for sustainability and resilience will be carried out.

"The measures will include strengthening the enabling environment for green growth, adoption of sustainable consumption and production, conserving natural resources and strengthening resilience against climate change and natural disasters," he said.

"This new target shall not and should not be seen as an impediment to our economic development. Indeed, I believe, our green policies and initiatives will also bring many opportunities - catalysing new industries and ancillary businesses that will bring new employment opportunities," he said.

Najib said Malaysians need to play their part in fighting climate change and help prevent average global temperatures from rising above two degrees Celsius.

"It is our social and moral obligation to ensure that our sons and daughters will be able to enjoy the world as we see it today. Malaysia must play its responsible role in the necessary global transformation for a more sustainable world," he said.

Bernama

Did Logging Activities, Development Cause Mudslide On KL-Karak Highway?

KARAK (Saturday, 14 November 2015) - The Sultan of Pahang has refuted allegations that the mudslide at KM52.4 of the KL-Karak Highway on Wednesday was caused by illegal logging on the hillslopes.

SultanAhmad Shah said there had been no reports of illegal logging in the area and the authorities had not informed him of any such activity.

 "There is no such thing. If there were, those responsible can be arrested, but so far I have not been informed of such activities," he said.

He was speaking after a two-hour visit to the site of the disaster where he was briefed on repair works and safety checks by authorities.

Accompanying Sultan Ahmad Shah was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is also Bentong member of Parliament.

Sultan Ahmad Shah also handed out aid to victims from the Lentang Forestry Department quarters whose homes were affected by the mudslide.

Sultan Ahmad Shah also refuted statements made by Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof on Thursday, in which he said investigations by the Fire and Rescue Department and the Public Works Department found land-clearing activities on hill, which could have caused the formation of a waterlogged pool that eventually broke under pressure of constant rainfall, causing the mudslide.

"He should make statements based on facts, not speculation. I can tell you there is no illegal logging in this area," said Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Traffic will be allowed through the affected section of the highway from today and both lanes are affected to be fully operational by tomorrow.

The actual cause of the mudslide at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway which resulted in thousands of motorists trapped on Wednesday will be investigated even though several parties did not rule out the incident might have been due to uncontrolled logging activities and development.

The  Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (PEKA) is among those which believes the landslip at KM52.4 of Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway near Lentang-Bukit Tinggi area was due to uncontrolled logging activities in the Lentang Forest Reserve area.

PEKA  believes that the mudslide at the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway was due to excessive logging and land clearing in Hutan Simpan Lentang and the surrounding areas. It said it had warned and pleaded with the authorities last year to stop the environmentally-damaging activities.

In a letter to Tenaga Nasional Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azman Mohd on Jan 20 last year, it protested against the project near Lentang, Pahang. Peka had detailed why it had to be halted immediately and what would happen if the project was continued. It warned of the ecological effects which would lead to the extinction of flora and fauna and how exposing the land to torrential rain could lead to river pollution, turn it murky brown and cause mud floods.

PEKA said there could be erosion of the riverbed and landslides. Copies of the letter were sent to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and others.

The highway concessionaire, ANIH Berhad also said rubbish, timber logs and boulders which were swept away in the incident near the Lentang Forest Reserve showed certain activities in areas outside of the company's maintenance site caused overflow of water.

However, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the mudslide incident was due to natural causes but did not deny there were logging activities near the area.

The Pahang Forestry Department concurred with the statement and denied there was logging activities on the fringe of the Lentang Forest Reserve which caused the incident, and said the incident was due to heavy rain and slope failure in the area.

Nonetheless, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof yesterday stressed that the cause of the incident would be investigated and its results would be announced in two weeks after the related experts completed their studies on the incident.

However, he said it was still too early to link the incident to logging activities as investigations had not been completed.

The mudslide near Lentang-Bukit Tinggi at 6.30pm on Wednesday (11th November 2012) caused a section of the highway impassable in both directions, with three private vehicles and a lorry stranded in the area. Fortunately, vehicle owners managed to run to safety.

The incident also caused 25 occupants of Pahang Forestry Department quarters to evacuate to the Lentang mosque.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department has not ruled out the possibility of a second mudslide at the highway, should heavy rain continue.

Its deputy director-general, Datuk Soiman Jahid said the possibility was based on a survey from the air which showed there were pools of water at the hill top near the highway.

Meanwhile, The natural resources and environment ministry (NRE) has directed the Minerals and Geoscience Department to conduct a ground structural stability assessment in the hill area near the mudslide location at KM52.4 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway.

Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was to determine whether the area could withstand pieces of timber swept away by rain water.

He said the assessment report was expected to take between two and three weeks before it was submitted to the ministry.

"We must be very sure and detailed, and we are cooperating with the state forestry department.

"From our observation, we could see that an embankment built near the area had collapsed, and timber pieces were carried by the mudslide to the highway below," he told reporters after visiting the mudslide incident location in Bentong on Friday.

Wan Junaidi also visited occupants of the Pahang Forestry Department quarters who were temporarily sheltered at the Lentang Mosque after their quarters were inundated with mud water and struck by boulders from the mudslide on Wednesday.

The NewStraits Times today said that those plying routes where they could be exposed to life-threatening mudslides or debris flows can expect a heads up on any impending risks, as efforts are under way for the implementation of a multi-faceted warning system.

 Geological experts who have been working closely with the government in establishing the system said the move could be initiated after gathering data on risky zones in the country.

Authorities are, at present, collating data on the hazards and risks of slopes through a mapping process using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analysing the reflected light  to develop the public warning system.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Engineering Geology and Structural Geology associate professor Dr Tajul Anuar Jamaluddin said the slope hazard and risk mapping project, which was proposed to the authorities several years ago, was part of the process in developing the alert warning system.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof confirmed the development of the system. He told the New Straits Times last night that the ministry expected the system to be ready in two years.