Centralised plastic recycling hub on the cards, says Zuraida

Bernama pic.

KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin says Putrajaya is looking to introduce a centralised plastic recycling hub to better monitor and manage the industry.

Once it is built, she said, all plastic waste recycling factories outside the park will be considered illegal.

She was replying to Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Tumpat) who had asked about plastic pollution in the country.

Zuraida also said her ministry is working with the Customs Department to inspect each container entering the country to ensure that only clean plastic is brought in.

“We issue the approved permit licence for the import of plastic waste, and before issuing it, we will inspect the site first.

“However, site approval is under the purview of the local councils and local authorities,” she said to Teh Kok Lim (PH-Taiping), who asked about Kedah’s decision not to issue licences for plastic waste recycling centres.

“They have the right not to grant licences for the sites,” she said.

In February, widespread dumping of plastic waste into rivers and open burning were reported in Klang and Hulu Langat.

Klang MP Charles Santiago asked the health ministry to carry out an immediate public health audit following concerns over the level of water and air pollution in Port Klang.

He urged the ministry to take steps to prevent more people from falling ill after eating fish from contaminated waters or breathing air polluted by the burning of plastic waste. - FMT