Transforming Malaysia S E Waste Management A Call For Visionary Action

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From Michael Soh
For more than 32 years, Malaysia has adhered to the Basel Convention, banning the import of electronic waste (e-waste) to protect the environment and public health.
However, this approach has fallen short of its intended goals. Systemic enforcement failures, corruption, and an underdeveloped recycling infrastructure have plagued Malaysia’s e-waste management system, leaving our environment and communities at risk.
The persistence of unsafe e-waste processing methods and unchecked illegal imports only exacerbates the issue.
Albert Einstein famously said, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. It’s time for Malaysia to adopt a fresh, science-based approach to managing e-waste.
The ineffectiveness of the current approach 
Since ratifying the Basel Convention in 1992, Malaysia has sought to address the environmental and health hazards posed by e-waste through a strict ban on imports.
Despite these efforts, illegal e-waste imports continue to flow into the country through unregulated channels. Locally generated e-waste is often processed using unsafe methods, leading to the contamination of soil, water, and the food chain.
This toxic legacy affects public health and undermines our nation’s productivity and well-being.
Over three decades of adherence to this outdated approach has made one thing clear: the Basel Convention’s blanket ban on e-waste imports is inadequate.
Continuing this strategy for another 32 years will yield the same disappointing results. Malaysia must shift its focus toward innovative, science-driven solutions that address the root causes of these systemic failures.
Learning from global leaders 
It is worth noting that countries such as Sweden, Finland, Belgium, and Germany are also signatories of the Basel Convention, yet they have adopted a different approach by importing e-waste for processing.
These nations have relatively low volumes of domestic e-waste, making it challenging to sustain their significant investments in 100% green technology.
To justify the approximately US$1.3 billion needed for a state-of-the-art recycling plant, they rely on imported e-waste to achieve the necessary scale.
Without these advanced facilities, even small amounts of domestic e-waste in these countries would likely end up contaminating their soil, water, and food chain, posing serious risks to public health.
By adopting this strategy, these nations not only ensure responsible e-waste management but also safeguard their environments and citizens from long-term harm. Malaysia can learn from their success and adapt these strategies to its own context.
A science-driven path forward 
Malaysia has a unique opportunity to transform its e-waste management practices by leveraging global expertise.
Collaborations with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Japan Academy could enable Malaysia to adopt cutting-edge green recycling technologies.
These technologies ensure zero toxic emissions, no liquid discharge, and the safe recovery of valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver from e-waste.
Cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou have demonstrated the success of these approaches, providing a proven model for Malaysia to emulate.
Key benefits of a regulated e-waste industry
Environmental and health protection: by fully adopting green recycling technology under the guidance of international experts, Malaysia can prevent toxic contaminants from entering the environment. This reduces health risks, lowers healthcare costs, and protects workforce productivity.Addressing illegal imports: the longstanding ban on e-waste imports has failed to curb illegal activities. By legalising and regulating imports under strict environmental guidelines, the Malaysian government can ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance, breaking the harmful cycle of illegal operations that strive on corrupt enforcement systems.Economic viability through scale: local e-waste volumes alone are insufficient to sustain advanced recycling technologies. Legalising and regulating imports would help achieve economies of scale, thereby reducing operational costs and enabling higher buyback prices for local e-waste. This, in turn, incentivises proper collection and minimises environmental pollution.Economic and job creation benefits: establishing green e-waste recycling facilities could attract foreign direct investment (FDI) of up to US$1 billion. This initiative could create 6,000 direct jobs and generate substantial tax revenue. Malaysia is currently losing billions in potential tax revenue to illegal operators. By formalising the e-waste sector, the nation could position itself as a global leader in sustainable e-waste management.Earning legitimacy: the government could establish a dedicated industrial park for sustainable e-waste management, offering illegal operators a legitimate path to compliance. A one-year grace period would allow these operators to make the transition into regulated activities, with strict penalties imposed thereafter to deter harmful practices.A call for visionary action
The time to act is now. Malaysia cannot afford to remain stagnant while the environment and public health continue to suffer.
By acquiring the expertise of global leaders such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the green entities in Sweden, Finland, Belgium, and Germany, Malaysia can build the capacity to tackle this pressing challenge with advanced, science-driven solutions.
Legalising and regulating the e-waste industry is not merely an environmental imperative; it is also an economic and social opportunity.
By embracing sustainable practices, Malaysia can safeguard its environment, protect public health, and achieve long-term economic growth.
Together, we can break free from the cycle of illegal imports and environmental degradation, paving the way for a greener and healthier future.
TO BE CONTINUED
Michael Soh is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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