How waste trade impacts us all

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The following infographic paints a picture of how the waste trade impacts us all. Plastics overconsumption/overproduction manifests in an increased production of wastes. 

The reality is many of these wastes are not being processed responsibly. Some countries have been exporting plastic wastes meant for recycling in their own facilities to other countries like ours without any care to the impacts on the recipient country’s capabilities, environment and public health. 

Malaysia imported 510,897 tonnes of plastic wastes in 2021[1]. Data on the major exporters to Malaysia and the types of plastic wastes they exported can be accessed through the link to Basel Action Network’s website[2] below. These reports were based on official global trade and Malaysian government’s data.

The illegal dumping, questionable practices of some local operators and subsequent hazards to our local environment and public heath remain significant in waste trade issues.

Watch this short video on how waste imports can impact us in Malaysia and what actions you can take

Below are a few suggested actions to stop waste imports into Malaysia 

  • Take photos/videos of reckless dumping; soil, water and air pollution of the wastes, and submit them directly to the Department of Environment’s website, e-Aduan. https://eaduan.doe.gov.my/eaduan/index.php?lang=EN
  • Urge your local council/PBT to follow up on the reports/complaints of the pollution.
  • Urge your local MP to support a government ban for all plastic waste exports to Malaysia.
  • Call on Malaysian government to support the global call to reduce plastic production/consumption.
  • Support a global petition to #StopShippingPlasticWaste to demand global shipping companies to stop transporting plastic wastes to less-developed countries like Malaysia. https://www.bataris.org.ph/petitions/stopshippingplasticwaste

Let’s come together to stop waste imports into Malaysia! Malaysia is not a Garbage Dump!

[1] Environmental Investigation Agency. (2023, January 16). Plastic Waste Power Play. Environmental Investigation Agency. Retrieved on 13 Feb 2023, from https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA_UK_Plastic_Waste_Trade_Report_0123_FINAL_SINGLES.pdf

[2] Basel Action Network. Malaysia Import Data. Retrieved on 13 Feb 2023, from https://www.ban.org/plastic-waste-project-hub/trade-data/malaysia-import-data

To know more, read the articles listed below:

  1.  Katz, Cheryl. (2019, March 7). YaleEnvironment360. Piling Up: How China’s Ban on Importing Waste Has Stalled Global Recycling. Yale School of the Environment. Retrieved on 13 February 2023, from https://e360.yale.edu/features/piling-up-how-chinas-ban-on-importing-waste-has-stalled-global-recycling
  2. Fathil, Sheeda. (2022, December 3). Selangor denies approval for plastic waste processing factories, premises to prevent pollution. Selangor Journal. Retrieved on 13 Feb 2023, from https://selangorjournal.my/2022/12/selangor-denies-approval-for-plastic-waste-processing-factories-premises-to-prevent-pollution-exco/

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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.
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Che Ani Mt Zain
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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?
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Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia
Sahabat Alam Malaysia - Member of Friends of the Earth International

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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