Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah plastics industry is transitioning and aligning with the Government’s sustainability objectives through implementation of various sustainable initiatives, said Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) Sabah Branch Chairman Liaw Hen Kong.
Recognising the importance of sustainability, he said plastic industry players are embracing green processes in their manufacturing plants and also producing biodegradable plastics in response to the shifting consumer preference for eco-friendly products.
“They recognise that these shifts are crucial to stay competitive in line with consumer tendency to purchase from brands that care for the environment.
“Proper industrial waste management in the plastic industry incorporates proper storage facilities, waste segregation and disposal, adhering to stringent regulations governing waste management and disposal,” he said in a statement Monday.
Malaysia has mapped out a Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 and Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics Roadmap 2018-2030.
Many anti-litter and environmental friendly campaigns have been and continue to be implemented by various non-government organisations, environmentalists groups, schools, communities and industries to combat environmental degradation.
Liaw said in the plastic industry, some categories of waste do not end up as waste bound for the landfills.
He said plastic industrialists form partnerships and collaborations with hotel associations, schools throughout Sabah and international event organisers to collect post-consumer plastic bottles from designated plastic recycling bins for the purpose of recycling.
“The recycling process transforms the post-consumer bottles to recycled bottles, thus giving it a second-life. This is one of the solutions to counter plastic waste.
“The recycling of plastic waste in production reduces the need to use virgin resins, thus saving energy, landfill space and the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the advancement in recycling technology enables the breakdown of more kinds of plastic to make new products.
“Anti-litter campaigns are implemented on regular basis to educate on the importance of caring for our environment. The campaigns were also aimed at educating the young population, instilling a culture of no-littering from young.”
Debunking common misconceptions about plastics, Liaw said the main issue with plastic pollution is not the plastic itself.
“Plastic is a versatile matter that has made human life better in most parts. The environment is polluted due to littering and improper waste management (not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills – it becomes an environmental pollutant).
“The number imprinted under plastic food containers, drinking bottles or cups does not correspond to the quality of plastic – the greater the number does not refer to higher quality plastic and vice versa. Plastic products are labelled with different numbers. The numbers are codes to represent different types of plastic, which will be separated for the purpose of recycling.
“Water in plastic bottles that are left in the car does not leach chemicals from the plastic at high temperatures. It is safe for drinking as plastic has a high melting point of 180°C - 200°C which is not attainable inside a car, therefore there is no chemical leach. Water in bottles might get contaminated due to the transference of bacteria from the mouth when drinking,” he said.
He said plastic is not the largest contributor of solid waste in Malaysia, explaining almost half of the total solid waste in Malaysia is food waste at 44.5 per cent, followed by plastic at 13.2 per cent, disposable diapers at 12.1 per cent, paper at 8.5 per cent and garden waste at 5.8 per cent. The rest, contributing 3.3 per cent and less are glass, textile, metal, rubber, tetrapak and wood.
“Plastic is often blamed as the culprit in marine pollution. The truth of the matter is that marine debris are made up of huge amounts of plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, derelict vessels and other lost or discarded items entering the marine environment daily.
This makes marine debris one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world’s ocean and waterways.
“The main sources of plastic debris found in the ocean are land-based, coming from urban and stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, littering, inadequate waste disposal and management, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction and illegal dumping.
“Plastic contributes the least to marine pollution but often blamed as the main culprit due to the lightweight properties making them stay above water, eventually forming garbage patches and becoming conspicuous while other debris types which are heavier, lay hidden on the ocean floor.
“A study by International Union for Conservation of Nature revealed that synthetic textiles is the major contributor of microplastics in the world’s oceans at 35.0pc, followed by car tyres (28.0pc), city dust (24.0pc), road markings (7.0pc), marine coatings (3.7pc), personal care products (2.0pc) and plastic pellets (0.3pc).”
Contrary to common beliefs, plastics is recyclable.
Liaw said most plastics, including plastic bags can be recycled to produce new products, thus diverting plastic waste from the landfills. Polyethylene terephthalate (Pete) plastics which is generally used for water and soda bottles is recyclable.
“Small and micro enterprises, and hawkers within the food service industry consume the majority of PETE plastic packaging due to convenience and affordability. Alternative packaging materials such as glass or paper are not practical and are expensive.
“Single-use plastic bags are durable and less vulnerable to tearing, outperforming paper or cloth bags in protecting the contents. They are good for multiple uses. A change in consumer mindset on single-use plastic bags and embracing the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is the simple action needed of individuals to make a big change towards a cleaner and safer environment.”
Plastic has grown to be a completely critical part of day to day lives. Due to its low weight, superior insulating properties, durability, hygienic and versatile properties, it is widely used across every industrial sector which includes packaging, building and construction, textiles, consumer household and personal products, transportation, electrical and electronics and industrial machinery and equipment.
That means it is present in almost every product that people use to keep protected and safe from harm – from food and beverages packaging, to the generation devices we use so widely today, to the scientific equipment and devices at hospitals.
Liaw said thanks to personal protective equipment (PPE) suits which is made of plastic, keeping many people safe during the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
“Most households resorted to ordering meals during the government-imposed lockdowns, thanks to availability, convenience and affordability of plastic food containers to enable food deliveries safely.
“When disaster such as earthquake, flood or fire struck, cutting off clean water supplies to affected communities, the availability of bottled drinking water provides the relief and reduces the suffering of victims.
“Plastic, therefore, is essential, efficient, economical, sustainable (generating the lowest footprint) and recyclable. And, plastic pollution is a challenge.
“The plastic industry plays a significant role in socioeconomic development, offering business and employment opportunities and a better quality of life for many.”
Statistics showed that the annual sales turnover of the Malaysian Plastics Industry is RM61.44 billion in 2023, while export of plastic products stood at RM16.10 billion in the same year.
The ever-increasing demand for plastic products has its downside in that it has generated huge amounts of plastic waste bound for Malaysia’s landfills which are filling to capacity with municipal solid waste, of which food waste is the biggest contributor.
This problem is compounded by littering problem, causing pollution and a threat to the environment and lives.
