Malaysia's Annual Plastic Waste Production: A Troubling Issue

Plastic waste is a pressing human health and environmental concern, constituting the third-highest waste source globally. Malaysia is one of the world's biggest importers and producers of plastic waste, with ineffective waste management systems and a lack of transparency and public access to investigate regulatory compliance. The nation's landfills are filled to the brim, with plastic waste contaminating the environment and causing long-term repercussions. While Malaysia has implemented policies and initiatives to address plastic waste, such as banning plastic bags and single-use straws, the country continues to struggle with the volume of plastic waste it generates and receives from other nations.

Malaysia's plastic waste imports

Malaysia has been the world's largest importer of plastic waste since 2017. The country's waste management system is struggling to cope with the volume of plastic waste being produced and imported. In 2021, Malaysia imported more than 500,000 tons of plastic waste and exported around 11,000 tons. The country has become a global hub for plastic waste exports, with the United States, Japan, Germany, and countries in the European Union being the top exporters to Malaysia.

The European Commission has acknowledged the issue of illegal waste shipments from the EU, with estimates ranging from 15% to 30%. To address this, the EU has agreed to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, including Malaysia, starting in mid-2026. This measure aims to prevent the improper treatment of materials like plastics and chemicals.

Malaysia is actively working to address plastic debris and develop a Circular Economy Roadmap to improve plastic waste management. The country's plastics manufacturing industry is dynamic and contributes significantly to the national economy. However, rapid urbanization, mismanaged plastic waste, and inadequate infrastructure are generating significant economic and environmental costs.

The market failure for plastics recycling in Malaysia is exacerbated by various factors, including the inability to capitalize on global brand demands for recycled content and a lack of regulatory clarity on using recycled content for food-grade applications. Additionally, there is a lack of local demand for recycled plastics and gaps in domestic recycling capacities, with investments in the plastic recycling industry remaining small compared to capacity needs.

Plastic waste in oceans

Plastic waste is one of the world's most pressing human health and environmental concerns. Plastic is the third-highest waste source globally, and Malaysia is one of the biggest plastic waste offenders. In 2021, Malaysia imported almost 500,000 metric tons of plastic waste, making it the world's largest importer of plastic waste. The country received plastic waste from various countries, including the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union. Malaysia's plastic waste management system struggles to cope with these vast volumes, leading to landfills filled to capacity and environmental degradation.

Malaysia's plastic manufacturing industry is substantial, contributing US$7.23 billion to the national economy in 2018, or 4.7% of its GDP. However, the country faces challenges in managing the waste generated by this industry and has been criticised for its role in contributing to plastic pollution. Malaysia emits 0.14 to 0.37 million tonnes of plastic trash into the oceans each year, ranking 5th globally per capita in plastic waste entering the ocean.

The country has taken some steps to address its plastic waste problem. It banned plastic bags and single-use straws and launched the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap (2021-2030), aiming to improve plastic production, consumption, recycling, and waste management. Additionally, Malaysia is developing a Circular Economy Roadmap to combat mismanaged plastic waste and promote a more sustainable approach to plastic usage.

However, Malaysia's efforts have been hindered by various factors, including a lack of effective waste management programmes, inadequate infrastructure, and illicit practices such as open burning and illegal dumping. The country's recycling rate is low, with only 24% of key plastic resins recycled in 2019, and it faces challenges such as a lack of local demand for recycled plastics and insufficient investment in the plastic recycling industry.

To combat plastic waste in oceans effectively, Malaysia needs to implement a multidimensional approach involving individuals, communities, businesses, and the government. This includes improving waste management efficiency, promoting the adoption of alternative materials, upgrading recycling infrastructure, and encouraging the separation of recyclable materials at the source. Additionally, putting laws in place to hold manufacturers accountable for their products' entire lifecycle, including proper disposal and recycling, is crucial.

Plastic waste recycling

Plastic waste is one of the world's most pressing human health and environmental concerns. Plastic is the third-highest waste source globally, and Malaysia has been tracking global trends in both the overall generation of plastic waste and the consumption of single-use plastics.

Malaysia's plastic waste production and recycling efforts are complex due to several challenges. Firstly, the country has limited recycling facilities, and in 2019, it recycled only 24% of key plastic resins. This is partly due to a lack of local demand for recycled plastics and gaps in domestic recycling capacities. The recycling sector in Malaysia faces competition from informal recyclers and is challenged by low-quality recyclables due to the absence of "design for recycling" standards. Additionally, the linear municipal waste systems prioritize waste collection over recycling, and there is a lack of systematic separation and recycling for low-value and hard-to-recycle post-consumer packaging.

The Malaysian government has taken steps to address these issues by implementing a mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. This scheme obliges producers and importers to assume full responsibility for their products, even during the end-of-life phase, encouraging better product and packaging designs and supporting waste collection and separation. The government is also offering incentives like Pioneer Status (PS) and Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) to promote sustainable waste management practices. As of December 2018, 55 plastic recycling projects were in operation, creating 3,341 jobs in the country.

However, Malaysia has also become a significant destination for imported plastic waste, receiving nearly half a million tonnes of waste in early 2018 from countries like the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. This influx has overwhelmed the existing infrastructure, leading to the rise of illegal plastic processing facilities and environmental pollution. To combat this, the government has taken action to protect the environment, including refusing waste imports and returning containers filled with plastic waste to their countries of origin.

To effectively tackle plastic waste recycling in Malaysia, a combination of efforts is required. These include increased awareness, government regulation of plastic waste imports, improved waste management systems, and a focus on operational efficiency and cutting-edge technology for plastic reprocessing. Malaysia is also developing a Circular Economy Roadmap to address plastic debris and support a circular economy, where the redeployment and reuse of resources are fundamental principles.

Plastic waste management

Plastic waste is a pressing human health and environmental concern. It is the third-highest waste source globally, and the total volume of plastic waste is growing with increases in the global population and per capita consumption.

Malaysia, in particular, has been the world's largest importer of plastic waste since 2017, and the country's waste management system is struggling to cope with the volumes of material being produced. In 2021, Malaysia imported more than 500,000 tons of plastic waste and exported around 11,000 tons. This has created several major challenges for the country's waste management system.

To address these challenges, Malaysia is developing a Circular Economy Roadmap to combat mismanaged plastic waste nationally. The country is also working to improve its recycling rates and increase plastic circularity. In 2019, Malaysia recycled just 24% of key plastic resins, falling short of the National Solid Waste Management Department's (JPSPN) target of 40% by 2025. To achieve this target, Malaysia needs to address several systemic and market challenges, such as gaps in domestic recycling capacities and the lack of local demand for recycled plastics.

The Basel Convention, an international agreement addressing plastic pollution, provides guidance on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. Additionally, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste has developed a Plastic Waste Management Framework to help countries enhance their waste management systems and progress towards improved circularity for plastics.

Plastic waste reduction

Plastic waste is a pressing human health and environmental concern, with plastic constituting the third-highest waste source globally. Malaysia is the world's largest importer of plastic waste and has been since 2017. In 2021, Malaysia imported more than 500,000 tons of plastic waste, exporting only 11,000 tons.

To reduce plastic waste, Malaysia must regulate the import of plastic waste to ensure its waste management systems can cope. The government must work on reducing the environmental impact of existing incineration plants, as incineration is not applicable to many types of plastic.

To reduce plastic waste, individuals can:

• Carry a reusable coffee cup or flask.
• Avoid single-use plastic plates and cutlery by carrying a spork, a fork from home, or a mini-reusable set.
• Avoid straws, even paper ones, but if you need one, use a reusable one.
• Eat in at a coffee shop to reduce disposable packaging and waste.
• Bring your own container to a cafe, sandwich shop, or food stall.
• Check for hidden plastics in teabags and opt for loose-leaf tea with a strainer or reusable teabags.
• Dispose of chewing gum in a bin, never on the floor.
• Set the table with cloth napkins and reusable dishes, glasses, and silverware.
• Bring your own reusable bag for shopping and try to buy items with minimal packaging.
• Package lunch in reusable containers instead of disposable ones.
• Buy drinks in reusable bottles or thermoses instead of disposable bottles or cartons.
• Buy drink mixes in bulk and fill reusable bottles.
• Buy used plastic items and reuse or repurpose them.
• Buy products made from recycled plastic materials.
• Recycle plastic bags, wrap, and film.
• Wash and reuse plastic utensils.
• Check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept.

Frequently asked questions