LETTERS: Malaysia is a global player in the plastics industry with about 1,300 plastics manufacturers. However, plastics has been targeted and criticised by various environmental non-governmental organsations. Huge concerns prevail that million of tonnes of plastics may have been dumped into the underground water table and washed away into the oceans.
Almost all packaging for food and beverages, medical, construction and engineering sectors is made of non-biodegradable plastics. Non biodegradable plastics such as Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) covers almost 80 per cent of carrier bags, bottles, sheets and films.
According to a 2019 report, the total turnover of the plastics industry in Malaysia was RM33.1 billion, almost 4.3 per cent of the gross domestic product. Packaging comprised the largest segment, accounting for 48 per cent.
The demand is rising, therefore, the waste management of plastics is critical. Plastic recycling is viable only if the plastic waste is segregated according to the different starting material, as defined by the coding of plastics.
The recyclability rate in Malaysia is still low at below 30 per cent. More than 60 countries have introduced measures to curb single-use plastics waste such as imposing bans and levies, while Malaysia has designed its single Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030.
Public awareness has to be increased and local councils must have clear-cut policies to facilitate systematic collection of trash and recycling programmes. For example, commercial and hawkers' sites should be encouraged to convert to eco-friendly products.
Adapting to green technologies will ensure sustainability. However, ecofriendly products are still not popular due to their costs. Few industries could sustain as the demand is still not stable due to a lack of monitoring of the ban policy imposed by certain states. Also, each state has its own regulations regarding the plastics issue.
The high prices of bio-bags could be reduced if the standard testing of biodegradable items is simplified and ecolabelling prices are subsidised to help the bioplastics industry. The cost of testing is high, while campaigns and monitoring need to be carried out frequently at supermarkets, expositions and hawkers' sites.
With the post-Covid 19 pandemic demand for the use of face masks, plastic gowns and shields, the plastics waste management issue is getting critical. Almost all face masks and personal protective equipment items are made of non-woven polypropylene and non degradable plastics.
The high-volume consumption must lead to proper and systematic waste disposal. Other than being dumped in landfills, they can be incinerated to produce biofuel. In Japan, the incineration of plastics waste has generated savings for biofuel, which serves as energy for industries.
The transition from a conventional plastics to a bioplastics industry can be implemented if industrial players are supported in terms of subsidies and zero taxation for sustainable raw materials and products. Raw materials for biodegradable plastics are largely imported and may cause a production hiccup due to high costs.
Hence, a national strategy to increase starch or bioresin production needs to be implemented. Petronas, which produces PE resins, could start strategising in producing bioplastics resins in the near future that can assist to reduce the cost of biodegradable materials.
Schools and universities could be the stepping stone to educate and encourage use of bioproducts. At Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam, a UGC Green Centre has been set up to implement the green agenda and Greenation objectives.
It is hoped that Malaysia can be an innovative leader in green products to sustain economic sectors, as well as meet the nation's clean agenda. It is the way forward to bring the climate change solutions in the world.
DR RAHMAH MOHAMED
Associate professor, Polymer Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UiTM
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect his official position