PETALING JAYA: Respiratory illnesses, exposure to toxic emissions and chronic diseases are just some of the possible health impacts on Malaysians as a result of illegally exported waste entering our country.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam said such illegal waste poses serious risks to public health, either from the burning of residual waste or releases from recycling plants.
“Communities near recycling plants are especially at risk from airborne and waterborne pollutants. The health impacts include respiratory illness and chronic diseases.
“Exposure to microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory, reproductive and gastrointestinal harm, with potential links to lung and colon cancer,” she said.
Environmental impacts include soil and water contamination, air pollution, biodiversity loss and strain on our waste management systems, she added.
Mageswari was asked to comment on a report by the Los Angeles Times that beverage cartons from California in the United States have been illegally exported to Malaysia and Vietnam as “recycled” mixed paper, violating international environmental law.
Waste watchdog group Basel Action Network (BAN) researcher Wong Pui Yi said one of the concerns is the actual plastic waste found in the waste paper bales, which is illegal according to the law.
“Another concern is the classification of aseptic cartons, or multilayer plastic-coated paper with another layer of aluminium foil, as waste paper,” she said.
Wong said that fellow NGO The Last Beach Cleanup and BAN found that such items were being added to waste paper exports from the United States, which is against Malaysia’s regulations.
She said aseptic cartons are “notoriously difficult” to recycle, as they don’t seem to be able to be recycled back into paper pulp, recycled plastic pellets and recycled aluminium.
She said other countries in South-East Asia are similarly being harmed by foreign plastic waste daily.
“We sincerely hope that exporting countries will help us put a stop to waste dumping and trafficking.
“The government must enforce its laws transparently, swiftly prosecute those who violate the law and close any loopholes that may arise, including clamping down on any possible corruption.
“We must remain vigilant and continue to spot-check the system with intelligence-led searches and seizures,” Wong added.
Concurring, Mageswari said strong enforcement is as important as strong laws.
“We need stronger international cooperation, increased fines or penalties and criminal charges for importers and exporters caught violating the rules,” she said.
A centralised database of import approvals should be set up and made accessible to enforcement agencies and NGOs at all levels, Mageswari said.
Calling the issue “waste colonialism”, she said developed nations must be held accountable for their own waste management and disposal.
“They should ensure these waste management systems are environmentally and socially sound.
“Merely ending the illegal waste trade is not enough – the world needs to immensely reduce the unsustainable production, and consumers need to be mindful of the choices they make to minimise the impacts of their consumption behaviour on others and the environment.
“Zero waste policies and systems are the way forward to end the waste crisis,” Mageswari added.
