Since the late 1980s, over a quarter of a billion tonnes of plastic waste have been globally traded, disproportionately burdening developing countries with insufficient waste management capacities, while enabling developed nations to sustain high plastic consumption. Referred to as "waste colonialism," this practice leads to irreparable harm to the environment and human health in importing countries like Malaysia, now a top destination for plastic waste following China's 2018 ban. A new report by the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) exposes corruption and regulatory loopholes exacerbating the crisis, with Malaysia importing a substantial portion of plastic waste from Japan, raising doubts about Japan's support for waste management infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. We find out more about the findings from this research, and how it sheds light on the need for transparency, traceability, and accountability, and advocates for a global agreement to combat plastic pollution, with two of the report's authors, Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, who are both with the C4 Center.

Image Credit: Rich Carey, Shutterstock