BUTTERWORTH: Thirty-eight containers, which contain mixed contaminated plastic waste resembling rubbish, that were brought in through the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) have been ordered to be returned to their country of origin.
Penang Department of Environment (DOE) director Norazizi Adinan said a notice was issued under Sections 31 and 37 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to the importer and agent, instructing the containers to be sent back.
“Penang DOE, together with the Customs Department, National Solid Waste Management Department, SWCorp, Seberang Perai City Council and Penang Port Sdn Bhd, conducted a joint inspection at NBCT on 39 containers declared as plastic flakes, which were suspected to contain electronic waste and plastic scrap.
“The inspection revealed that 38 of the containers were filled with mixed contaminated plastic waste, whereas one container was identified as containing clean plastic flakes, which has since been handed over to the relevant agency for further action,” he stated in a Bernama report yesterday.
He said the integrated inspection aimed to ensure that incoming containers complied with the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and international legal obligations.
Norazizi said the seizure of the 38 containers containing contaminated plastic waste was the largest this year by the Penang DOE, bringing the total number of containers ordered to be returned to 65 out of 70 inspected so far this year.
He said in 2023 and 2024, three containers were ordered to be returned due to various violations, including the importation of electronic waste and contaminated plastics.
