Malaysia sends back trash, says won't be world's waste bin

Minister Yeo Bee Yin (third left) with (from left) deputy minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, MESTECC chief secretary Datuk Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir and Penang State Executive Councillor Phee Boon Poh (right) checking the plastic waste containers at North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) on Monday (Jan 20). - MUSTAFA AHMAD/The Star/ANN

PENANG: Malaysia has sent back 150 containers of plastic waste to 13 mainly rich countries since the third quarter last year, with the environment minster warning on Monday (Jan 20) that those who want to make the country a rubbish bin of the world can "dream on.”

Shipments of unwanted rubbish have been rerouted to South-East Asia since China banned the import of plastic waste in 2018, but Malaysia and other developing countries are fighting back.