The stockpiling of imported waste at Port Klang, Malaysia is brewing up a storm for the authoroties. Faced with around 800 abandoned containers, the port authorities invested in clearing the waste backlog and has reduced the uncollected contains to around 280 units.
Growing Problem in Port Klang
It has, so far, cost Port Klang authorities around RM25 million to clear the site. During the clearance it was found that many of the containers carried contaminated waste. Most pf the waste is said to have been sent to Malaysia from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Japan.
The Penang Consumer group (CAP) was surprised to find that hundreds of containers containing plastic waste and scrap tyres had been sent to and dumped in Port Klang.
CAP is very concerned about the quantity of waste of imported plastic and rubber materials and also those exported by Malaysia. In 2016, based on the UN Combat Database, Malaysia exported 163,622.4 tonnes while importing 287,673.3 tonnes of waste and scrap.
CAP is concerned that this problem is also endemic at other Malaysian ports such as Johor Port, Tanjung Pelepas Port, Kuantan Port, Penang Port and Bintulu Port.
In this regard, CAP has advised that imports of rubber and plastic wastes should be banned to prevent Malaysia becoming a dumping ground for other countries’ waste.
(Source: Harakah Daily)
