Recycling of a wider range of post-consumer plastic
packaging, together with plastic waste from consumer goods is
an opportunity to enable improvement in the recovery rates of
plastic waste and diversion from landfills.
‟3) Economic growth
Increase in the export of plastic products from
recycled plastics contributes to Malaysia’s
economic growth. Our plastic products under
the chemicals category have contributed around
RM50 billion annually as reported by the Malaysia
External Trade Development Corporation’s
(MATRADE) Major Export Products Report 2019.
The strategies are to offer export incentives, to
get involved in trade fairs and export acceleration
missions as well as international sourcing
programmes supported by the Government for
local companies, including small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) [16].
4) Business development
The increase and development of high demand
markets for recyclable plastics will lead to
developing an established recycling industry
assisting local entrepreneurs with the start-up of
small-scale manufacturing businesses, encourage
existing local manufacturers to increase their
use of recyclables, as well as the adoption of a
more eco-efficient approach in every part of their
business by the local companies. The examples
include environmental management systems,
design for environment, industrial ecology, ecolabelling,
as well as green purchasing and supply
chain management [17].
5) Increase education and expertise
Education is one of the most vital components
to help foster the development of producing
sustainable plastics from plastic wastes. Both
the Government and companies could work
hand in hand with local universities in research
and development on how to tackle plastic waste
problems and convert the waste into wealth in the
most sustainable ways. This will produce more
expertise in related fields.
For example, genetically tailored bacteria
are being created which possess the necessary
enzymes to degrade the synthetic wastes. Some
strains of existing bacteria and fungi have also
been identified, which can degrade some of the
complex organic chemicals. Also, there are efforts
to create ‘biodegradable plastics’ using starch as
the raw material, which can be degraded in a few
weeks [18].
6) Technology development and innovations
Another opportunity from plastic waste is the
development of the innovative design of products
produced. Redesigning products allows for more
sustainable input materials being used such as
the increase in the percentage of recycled plastic
materials. There is also huge potential in recycled
plastic waste as they are used in innovative décor
materials as well as in building materials such as
bricks and vinyl floors.
The Government can work with businesses
and also more closely with the Malaysian Plastics
Manufacturers Association to encourage them to
adopt new technologies that will advance local
recycling markets and provide the necessary
financial assistance [4]. Guaranteed supplies
of recyclables, together with guarantees from
local Governments or companies to purchase
their recycled products can also be one of the
strategies.
CONCLUSION
Recent trends in waste plastic management in
Malaysia exhibit a substantial increase in the rate
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