One man’s trash: A worker sorting through a pile of e-waste. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
KOTA BARU: The country’s strategic roadmap to gradually reduce plastic pollution is being strengthened to protect the environment and open up new economic opportunities, says the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim said the Malaysia Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030 emphasises the need to change how society deals with plastic, from excessive use to sustainable management based on recycling and reuse.
“Therefore I urge all parties, whether the government, industries or the public, to play an active role in ensuring the goal of zero single-use plastics is achieved by 2030,” he said in his welcoming address at the national-level 2025 National Environment Day celebration here on Saturday night, Bernama reported.
The event was launched by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. Also present was Environment Department director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar.
Ching said under the circular economy approach for e-waste, the government encourages the recovery and recycling of valuable components, such as copper, gold, and silver from used electrical equipment.
“This initiative not only reduces dependence on new natural resources but also creates new economic opportunities in material recovery and recycling technology industries,” he said.
He also highlighted the E-Waste Collection Day initiative, held nationwide on the last Saturday of each month, aimed at raising public awareness on environment-friendly e-waste management, while providing valuable recyclable materials for local industries.
Ching said environmental sustainability is not solely the responsibility of the government but requires active participation from the public, industries and local communities.
Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Latiff commended the Kelantan government’s initiatives, including allocating RM27.5mil for various conservation and environmental programmes that strengthen the state’s commitment to the national sustainability agenda.
Mohd Nassuruddin said the allocation will be used for green projects and ecological initiatives at the state level, including forest and ecosystem conservation, waste and cleanliness management, public awareness campaigns, as well as environmental education and biodiversity protection.
