GEORGE TOWN: A total of five containers have been ordered to be returned to their countries of origin for carrying items containing electronic waste (ewaste) so far this year.
Penang Environment Department director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the return order was made after the department found the containers were brought in without obtaining prior approval.
"The containers carrying ewaste has been sent to their countries of origin which is in Hong Kong and United States," she told reporters after Media Appreciation Night at Kek Chuan Road on Thursday (Dec 22) night.
She said the order to return the containers was made under Section 31 and Section 37 of the Environmental Quality Act (EAQ) 1974 to order the containers to be returned to the country of its origin.
She said the cost to return the containers was borne by the companies or agents that brought in the containers.
Based on the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, all scheduled cross-border movements of waste such as ewaste must have prior approval before any transit, transhipment, import and export activities were carried out.
She said the containers were detected during the Department's random checks and operation throughout the year.
She said the department would not hesitate to impose strict penalties against importers or companies who failed to comply with regulations and laws.
She said it was important to know ewaste material is hazardous to not only human health but also to the environment.
Earlier, Sharifah hosted about 30 Penang media practitioners at Epicure Restaurant.
The annual event was organised by the state Environment Department and meant to recognise members of the media for their hard work in supporting and cooperating with the department throughout the year.
The event was also organised in conjunction with National Environmental Day 2022.
"The event objective is to recognise the contribution of media practitioners in the state in disseminating about the department work and raise awareness about the environment in the state," she said.
As of Dec 20, the department said it received a total of 339 reports of open burning.
She said the number of reports was lower than last year where the department received about 710 reports in the same period.
She said a total of 502 compounds on various offences have been issued with a total compound value amounting to almost RM1mil.
