Tuesday, 13 Apr 2021 12:41 PM MYTPlastic waste piled outside an illegal recycling factory in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Malaysia October 14, 2018. — Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, 13 April — Vilifying legal plastic recyclers in the country along with illegal operators will hurt legitimate businesses and undermine environmental conservation efforts here, said two plastics associations.
"Legitimate recyclers support the national economy by providing recycled plastics as raw material to sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive, furniture, food and construction. "Plastic waste cannot be shipped here from exporting countries without the prior written consent of the Department of Environment which is Malaysia’s competent authority for notification.
"We have even accepted the imposition of the RM20 per tonne levy to help defray the cost of enforcement including port inspections of containers. This levy is in addition to 18 new stringent rules and regulations which we must comply with.