UK to take back waste exports from Malaysia

Britain has agreed to take back 42 containers of plastic waste that were shipped to Malaysia illegally because they did not comply with the import documentation.

Since China introduced a ban on scrap imports in January 2018, around 7 million metric tons of rubbish a year have switched to new destinations. Malaysia has become one of the most prominent.

More than 300 containers of plastic waste are now being held at ports in the Penang region after arriving without proper customs documentation. So far, agreements have been reached for 200 of them to be returned to their countries of origin as Malaysia seeks to tighten its rules.

Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia's Minister for Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, said the UK's offer to take back the waste was "highly commendable" and issued a joint statement with the UK high commission.

"We hope the cooperation and understanding between Malaysia and United Kingdom will set an example for other countries with companies exporting contaminated plastic waste to other developing nations," the statement said.

Charles Hay, the highest-ranking British envoy to Malaysia, added that "the repatriation of these 42 containers reflects our commitment to fighting the illegal plastic waste trade".

"We look forward to working with Malaysia on the broader agenda of conserving the environment and addressing climate change," he said.

Increased waste imports to Malaysia have led to a larger number of unofficial waste-processing facilities, leading to many items being buried in landfill or burned.

According to a report by Greenpeace published in November 2018, in the first seven months of that year exports of plastic waste from the United States to Malaysia had more than doubled, compared to the same period in the previous year.

"The Malaysian plastic recycling industry is overwhelmed by the influx and cannot accommodate the waste in a way that is sustainable and acceptable by the government's own standards," said Heng Kiah Chun, public engagement campaigner at Greenpeace Malaysia.

In response, Yeo said: "We urge the developed countries to review their management of plastic waste and stop shipping garbage to developing countries."

It is not just Malaysia that is taking a stand on the issue. Indonesia has already sent back hundreds of containers and the Philippines returned a large shipment to Canada after a diplomatic standoff that even saw the Philippine ambassador recalled from Ottawa at one point.