Selangor is now free of illegal plastic recycling factories

The efforts and stern action taken by the Selangor government have finally freed the state of illegal plastic recycling factories after the government decided to not entertain any more new applications for licenses in that sector.

Ng Sze Han (above), in his capacity as caretaker chairperson of the state Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Committee, said the state government had passed new operating guidelines last year and decided that applications for new licenses would not be approved.

“In addition, plastic waste imports were banned since March last year and only existing operators can renew their licenses subject to the set conditions,” he said, adding that joint enforcement action by the federal and state governments from 2018 to 2020 helped local authorities to take stern action and stop illegal operators.

Ng said that over 200 factories were issued notices to halt operations during that period, owners were fined and their properties were seized.

“Illegal factories no longer exist… but licensed operators still remain and are under control and monitored by the state government.

“When they are licensed, authorities are not so concerned as they need to comply with tight conditions and rules involving all agencies, especially additional conditions from the state government requiring them to get a review by the Environment Department (DOE) before their business license is issued,” Ng said during an exclusive interview with Bernama recently.

He added that the review by DOE was a special control measure by the Selangor government that he described as being successful in curbing illegal factories.

Joint enforcement actions, especially involving cutting off water and electricity supply also contributed to the success in eradicating these operations, he said.

The Selangor government had set five policies relating to plastic waste recycling in the state to prevent pollution, which was passed on May 11, 2022.

Meanwhile, Hee Loy Sian, in his capacity as caretaker chairperson of the Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee, said that the policies banned the importation of plastic waste into the state.

In addition to not approving new operations, a five-year review would be required for a renewal of license for existing plastic waste recycling factories.

- Bernama