KLANG: A new guideline or mechanism for the disposal of solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) batteries is currently being developed, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said that this is due to concerns about the disposal methods of the materials, which could endanger the environment.
“Previously, there were only a few users of solar panels and EVs, but now they have become more popular, with public usage increasing.
“We are currently discussing a guideline or perhaps a mechanism for the disposal of these materials to prevent any environmental issues,” he said during a briefing with editors here yesterday.
According to Nik Nazmi, there are 175 licensed facilities in the country to process electronic waste (ewaste) from local sources.
He said that authorities are also grappling with illegal ewaste smuggling into the country.
The minister, during a working visit to Westport earlier, said at least 106 containers filled with ewaste were found at the nation’s ports, following the seizure of 301 containers suspected of containing such waste by the Customs Department from March 21 to June 19.
Nik Nazmi added that syndicates have targeted Malaysia, along with other South-East Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, for ewaste dumping following China’s end to solid waste import.
Following this, the minister pledged to improve cross-agency and ministry cooperation, including with the Customs Department and the police, to ensure that Malaysia does not end up as a dumping ground of ewaste smuggling from other developed countries.
