GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia is facing a massive accumulation of hazardous waste, with more than 30,000 tonnes of recyclables going untreated daily due to government restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Malaysian Indian Metal Traders’ Association called on the government to include waste recycling plants in the list of essential services, to enable them to operate and clear the backlogged waste during the movement control order (MCO).
It has also appealed to Putrajaya to get its members vaccinated as they work in the field, facing the public when collecting waste.
Deputy president Datuk A. Joe Saravanan said the industry is performing its duty to preserve the environment by cleaning and clearing hazardous waste in the country.
The association has some 4,000 members involved in collecting recyclable waste nationwide, he told The Vibes.
“Our members are clearing or collecting more than 30,000 tonnes of recyclable waste daily, which is about 30% of total national daily waste, according to Housing and Local Government Ministry statistics.”
“Imagine what would happen to the daily waste disposed of by households and industries if we are not allowed to operate.
“On the other hand, electrical and electronics (E&E) plants are operating, and we are allowed to collect waste from these factories, but we are not allowed to operate,” he said, stressing that most of their recycling plants are stockpiling waste.
His comments follow a fire that destroyed 70% of a recycling plant in Simpang Ampat, Nibong Tebal, recently.
The association is affiliated with the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The chamber’s president, Datuk N. Gopalakrishnan, has sent a memorandum to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who holds the international trade and industry portfolio, asking the government to review its decision to bar waste treatment plants from operating.
”Our employees are from the B40 group, who are suffering financially during the lockdown,” said Joe Saravanan.
A recycling plant’s managing director, who declined to be named, said the government should allow them to carry on operations as large stockpiles of waste are flammable, posing a danger when stored for too long.
If E&E factories can operate during the MCO, he said, supporting industries that collect and treat recyclable waste should also be given the nod.
“Recyclable waste treatment plants are allowed to collect waste from E&E plants, including multinational companies. The items are stored in the treatment plants.
“Storing this waste on the premises for a long period will eventually pose a fire hazard and lead to contaminated air, putting workers and residents around the area at risk,” he said, a point that Gopalakrishnan agrees with.
Gopalakrishnan said the International Trade and Industry Ministry should review its decision and include recycling plants in the essential services category.
“Otherwise, it will eventually affect the operations of multinationals in the country, which involve a large number of employees.
“We must also remember that most recycling plants are involved in treating plastic and electronic waste from overseas, which is imported here for treatment. If delayed, it could lead to more waste being accumulated in the country.” – The Vibes, July 10, 2021
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