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 a limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. In a previous episode, we discussed the challenges and loopholes identified in the institutional framework governing plastic waste imports to Malaysia, and how a lack of monitoring and transparency in the recycling industry compounded the issue. In this second part, we discuss among other things, how Malaysia can learn from China and Thailand's experiences in managing plastic waste and implementing policies to reduce imports, and how to address the challenges of waste colonialism and promote sustainable waste management practices both globally and in Malaysia, with Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, from the C4 Center.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

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 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://c4center.org/">Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism</a> (C4 Center) exposes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://c4center.org/policy-brief-ending-waste-colonialism-governing-plastic-pollution/">corruption and regulatory loopholes</a> 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 a limited recycling capacity, Malaysia struggles to manage both domestic and imported plastic waste. In a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/podcast/bigger-picture/earth-matters/how-can-we-end-waste-colonialism-part-1">previous episode</a>, we discussed the challenges and loopholes identified in the institutional framework governing plastic waste imports to Malaysia, and how a lack of monitoring and transparency in the recycling industry compounded the issue. In this second part, we discuss among other things, how Malaysia can learn from China and Thailand's experiences in managing plastic waste and implementing policies to reduce imports, and how to address the challenges of waste colonialism and promote sustainable waste management practices both globally and in Malaysia, with Wong Pui Yi and Nabila Zulkeflee, from the C4 Center.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

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