Since the plastics have low value, the uses of
machinery for sorting are rarely considered
in industries where recycling is not a core
competency.
Material mixing in a product is closely related
to its recyclability. The recycling rate for a product
with less material complexity is usually higher
[11]. This is on account of less or no separation
step needed apart from the reduced possibility
of having contaminated recycled material. In
Malaysia, the challenge can be understood by
considering the characteristics of plastic waste
collected via recycling centres and bins. The public
may not separate the plastic waste according to its
type, thereby increasing the waste complexity. The
sorting needs to be done locally and the process
is expensive.
3) The low value of recycled plastics
According to Malaysia’s Roadmap towards Zero
Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030, the plastic
recycling industry in Malaysia only focuses on
materials with high value to ensure its commercial
viability [7]. Virgin plastics are sometimes
cheaper. Therefore, it is a must for having another
dimension of added value for the recycled
counterpart. The value of the embodied energy
could be low or enhanced mechanical properties.
Although recycling of plastics could consume less
energy than producing plastics from new raw
materials, this is not the priority for the profitdriven
entities. Public perception of recycled
plastics may also be the hindrance for its usage
in a new application, given that the user has no
information on where and what the material has
been used in its previous life stage.
4) Illegal plastic waste trade
As mentioned earlier, Malaysia is facing the
problem of illegal plastic waste trade with the
developed countries [8]. This illegally imported
waste is mixed with contaminated waste and lowgrade
value plastics, which cannot be recycled
or is not cost-effective to recycle. Unethically,
such residual wastes are dumped mostly by
illegal factories in landfills and some have
started burning them. Waste were brought into
the country illegally in containers under false
declaration and other offences which violates our
environmental laws.
The Government authorities are managing this
issue seriously, thus shipping 60 containers filled
with around 3,300 tonnes of plastic waste back to
the exporting countries such as the United States,
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, Saudi
Arabia and even Bangladesh [13].
5) Lack of publicly available data and information
Variation in quantity and quality of supply for
plastic waste may be a major hindrance for
plastic recycling business to operate. In ensuring
the commercial viability of recycled plastic, the
availability of data regarding the supply of plastic
waste is vital. It may also be possible to introduce
the concept of material passport, where each
material has its record, showing its composition,
properties and usage in previous life stages.
6) Lack of enforcement on take-back policy
The central discipline for end-of-life waste
management is the concept of product take-back
[14]. Under this scheme, user-discarded products
are collected preferably for recycling or at least for
environmentally safe disposal. Two types of takeback
approach are in place: (1) customer-pays, and
(2) manufacturer-pays [15]. Both approaches have a
significant influence on end-of-life product collection.
Examples of take-back in developed countries
are the bottle bank scheme, container deposit
legislation, pay-as-you-throw, product stewardship
and extended producer responsibility [14]. Several
approaches are carried out in Malaysia but more
voluntarily rather than following Federal policies. The
take-back schemes of ink cartridges, collection of
old electronic devices by the manufacturer and the
implementation of Recycle for Life membership are
some examples. With these schemes, the users will
be given tokens either in cash or discounted price for
buying a new product.
7) Social behaviour towards plastic waste
The issue of rising plastic waste is worsened when
considering unsustainable consumer behaviour.
Not everyone is taking their waste seriously by
separating waste and disposing of them through
the designated bins or a collection centre. On
the other hand, the bin and recycling centre may
not be available in every neighbourhood, hence
causing difficulty for the consumer to practise
sustainable habits.
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