Look To Singapore India To Fight Plastic Waste Say Experts

---

 They say much more needs to be done, especially in urban and commercial settings.
The government is presently developing a governance framework for a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which would require businesses to take ownership of their plastic waste. (Envato Elements pic)PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should look to countries like Singapore and India when it comes to regulating plastic waste, says environmentalist Andrew Sebastian, who believes the country is still lagging in its pursuit of sustainable living
“Singapore and India have already moved ahead, whether by banning plastic bags or finding structured ways to transition away from them,” said Andrew. However, he said, Malaysia was still playing catch-up on basic environmental awareness, education and enforcement.
Since July 1, 2022, India has put into effect a ban on the manufacture and sale of 19 selected single use plastic bags, a key step to reducing its usage.

Andrew Sebastian.Singapore, on the other hand, introduced mandatory packaging reporting for businesses and implemented a disposable carrier bag charge in July 2023, as part of its Zero Waste Masterplan to curb plastic waste.
In August last year, the republic’s ministry of sustainability and the environment said supermarkets had recorded a 70-80% drop in the number of plastic bags used, showing a change in consumer behaviour within a year of the masterplan’s implementation.
“We’re (Malaysia) far behind in our vision for a greener city, for greener living,” said Andrew.
His comments follow the ban on single-use plastic bags in Malaysia’s forest reserves and national parks, reported by FMT last month as part of the government’s effort to reduce plastic waste by 2025.
However, he said, more needs to be done, especially in urban and commercial settings.
Single-use plastics the real problem
While clearer labelling of plastic packaging is often viewed as a solution, Andrew argues that it doesn’t address the root problem.
“The real issue is our reliance on single-use plastic,” he said.
He said that while proper labelling and transparency from producers are important measures, they remain insufficient without a significant reduction in plastic consumption, especially in fresh markets and among street vendors.
“Wet markets and street stalls should already be plastic-free by now. A total ban is long overdue,” he said, adding that producers must also be penalised for not adopting eco-friendly materials.
S Mageswari.Sahabat Alam Malaysia honorary secretary S Mageswari agrees that Malaysia’s plastic crisis runs deeper than labelling.
She pointed out that only plastic types 1 (made of polyester), 2 (high-density polyethylene) and 5 (polypropylene) are widely recycled in the country, while the rest are often discarded due to contamination or lack of recycling infrastructure.
“We still see a high volume of plastic waste being thrown away,” she said. “Not all plastics can be recycled, and those that can (be recycled) depend on design and existing facilities,” said Mageswari.
Although the absence of resin code labelling complicates sorting for recyclers, Mageswari said the more pressing problem is the overproduction and overconsumption of plastic.
“We need to make less plastic. Eliminate unnecessary and hazardous products, polymers and additives. Recycling is not the solution, it’s only part of the puzzle,” she said.
She welcomed Malaysia’s move towards developing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which would require businesses to take ownership of their plastic waste.
The government is presently developing a governance framework for a mandatory EPR scheme, with a target of transitioning to this scheme by 2026.
Still, Mageswary said, the country must prioritise reduction over relabelling.
Both experts also called for stronger enforcement and for public mindset to shift more towards sustainability. - FMT

---