What is Plastics Waste? And The Scenario in Malaysia.

According to the National Solid Waste Management Department, Malaysia (JPSPN) and Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), plastic waste can be divided in to two types namely thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics are the plastics which can be recycled and consists of seven types while on the other hand thermosets are plastics which cannot be recycled.

The first type of thermoplastic is Polyethylene Terephthalene or commonly abbreviated as PET, is a polymer that used in synthetic fibers for beverage, food and other liquid containers. Next we have, High Density–Polyethylene (HDPE) which is the high density version of Polyethylene Terephthalene plastic but it is harder, stronger and a little heavier than LDPE, but less ductile. Some of the examples of HDPE are gasoline tank, milk bottle and children?s toys. Next one is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is one of the most widely used plastics due to its low cost and wide range of properties. The examples of PVC are pipes, sheets, cable insulation and mineral drinking water bottles. The forth type is Low Density–Polyethylene (LDPE). It is more flexible than HDPE, light-weight and easily cleaned. Shrink wraps, cling films and cleaning garments are some of the examples of LDPE. Follow by, Polypropylene (PP) which is the fifth type of plastic coding. PP plastics are widely used in textiles, packaging, stationeries and loudspeakers. Polystyrene (PS) is another type of plastics which is strong and best known to be Styrofoam for manufacturing products and food packaging material. 

If everyone start to separate the waste from the house and companies, it would be less hassle at the landfills which plastic is a recyclable item. Unfortunately, many people have no idea that plastic is a recyclable material.

Generally, plastic bags can be recycled.  Even so, the demand in the market is very low. It is only practicable to packaging plastics whereby the cost of recycling plastic waste is very much higher than producing a new plastic. This is the core issue of why plastic waste is not really recycled in the country.

The rapid development and robust economic growth as well as population growth in Malaysia has increased the amount of plastic waste generation by households, industry and trade sector. The National Strategic Master Plan 2005 estimated that a total of 31.500 tonnes of solid waste generated per day by 2020. If plastic waste is not managed efficiently and effectively, it will negatively affect the health of local communities and the environment.

Recognizing the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (PSPPA) 2007 was enacted and gazetted on August 30, 2007 to authorize the Executive to the Federal Government in order take over the responsibility of managing solid (plastic) waste from local authorities. In this case, JPSPN is given highest responsibility for formulating policies, strategies, laws, and further implement the Act PSPPA in order to overcome the plastic waste management in the country.

Many people still unaware that the plastic waste is recyclable thus the root of the problem is the different education levels of the public themselves. Only people with higher education tends to understand that plastic is recyclable and plastic littering problems are at the minimal stage. On the other hand, the situation is vice versa for the groups of people which is less educated and having limited knowledge about plastic waste. In a nutshell, the attitude and awareness as well as the knowledge of public are the key of achieving proper waste management system.

By: Chuck Chuan, NG (Malaysia)