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Beware of toxic recycling!

  • Publication Date | September 23, 2022
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Toxics, Waste
  • Tags | Plastic Waste, recycling
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The recycling of hazardous chemicals in plastic may threaten human health and poison the circular economy. A study conducted by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) found that toxic chemicals from plastics were not removed during the recycling process but carried over to the new recycled plastic products. While the increase in plastic recycling was seen as a solution to the plastic pollution problem, plastics containing toxic chemicals should not be recycled at all and instead considered as non-circular materials.

Image Credit : © Consumers’ Association of Penang  adapted from IPEN

Toxic chemicals such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been found in recycled plastic products from China, Indonesia, and Russia. BFRs are chemicals added to products to prevent them from catching fire. All 73 samples of plastic products such as toys, hair accessories, office supplies and kitchen utensils analysed by IPEN contained BFRs. The presence of BFRs in the products may cause harm to humans and the environment. 

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals’ have also been found in clothing of these three countries in an analysis by IPEN.  PFAS chemicals have been used widely to make outdoor clothing waterproof. The presence of the PFAS chemicals in consumer products may cause exposure during production and disposal. Most textile waste ends up in landfill or incinerated, therefore leading to PFAS and fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions, besides other pollutant releases from incineration. Believe it or not, we are all exposed to PFAS as recent studies have shown that PFAS have been detected in air, soil, water, and even drinking water sources.

Another toxic chemical is Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical that is widely used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.  A number of countries, including Malaysia, EU member states, China, and Indonesia have restricted the use of BPA in baby bottles. However,  in a study carried out by the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in collaboration with IPEN, BPA was detected in all 9 Malaysian samples of polycarbonate bottles tested including an imported baby bottle.

Exposure to BPA which is an endocrine disrupting chemical is linked to several adverse health effects including cancer, fertility disorders, and sexual dysfunction both in men and women, as well as diabetes. Children’s BPA levels are higher than in adults’ as babies are exposed to BPA through beverages and food that leach from bottles and other containers.

A study by CAP and IPEN on recycled plastic pellets, showed that pellets contain three groups of known chemical hazardous substances, which are benzotriazole UV-stabilizers (BUVs), brominated flame retardants, and bisphenol A. 

Benzotriazole UV-stabilizers (BUVs) are extensively used in plastics, coatings, and cosmetics as they can prevent degradation from sunlight exposure. Some BUVs can bioaccumulate and also persist in the environment. In addition, some of the BUVs can affect human health; for example, endocrine disruption. BUVs are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Some of the pellets that were analysed in the study contained UV-327, which is classified as a Substance of Very High Concern in the EU. Specific authorisation is required before the use of UV-327. The substance may cause organ damage, may harm aquatic life with long-lasting effects, serious eye irritation, may cause skin irritation, and respiratory irritation.

(CAP: Toxic Chemicals Found in Plastic Pellets Used for Recycled Plastics – Consumers Association Penang, 2022)

According to Science Advisor of IPEN, Dr Sara Brosché, the pellets from Malaysia are not suitable for use in new products, particularly products that expose children to toxic chemicals. Therefore, we must not recycle plastic materials that contain toxic chemicals. Furthermore, manufacturers should phase out the toxic chemicals used in plastic and disclose any toxic content to downstream users, consumers, recyclers, and waste management personnel.

The export of plastic and plastic waste containing toxic chemicals should be prohibited, especially electronic waste. Last but not least, the government also should play their part by not encouraging toxic plastic recycling businesses as it can cause environmental destruction and harm to workers and consumers’ health.


Reference :

[1] Consumers Association of Penang. (2022). CAP: Toxic chemicals found in plastic pellets used for recycled plastics  https://consumer.org.my/cap-toxic-chemicals-found-in-plastic-pellets-used-for-recycled-plastics/

[2] IPEN (2022). Plastic Poisons the Circular Economy |https://ipen.org/news/plastic-poisons-circular-economy

[3] IPEN (2022). Brominated Flame Retardants in Plastic Products from China, Indonesia, and Russia  https://ipen.org/documents/brominated-flame-retardants-plastic-products-china-indonesia-and-russia

[4] IPEN (2022). PFAS in clothing study in Indonesia, China, and Russia shows barriers for non-toxic circular economy. https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/ipen-pfas-2021-v1_6w.pdf

[5]  IPEN (2021)Widespread chemical contamination of recycled plastic pellets globally . https://ipen.org/documents/widespread-chemical-contamination-recycled-plastic-pellets-globally

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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