The import of plastics for recycling has been banned by Malaysian state Selangor.
State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chair Hee Loy Sian said that the policy had been agreed and approved by the Selangor State Executive Council.
All factories in the state that carry out plastic recycling processes will no longer be allowed to import plastics, he said.
He added: “New business licences for recycling factories will not be considered or approved by state authorities and local authorities.
“Apart from that, a review every five years will be made for applications for new business licences for plastic recycling factories. Existing factories with valid licences can continue to operate, subject to the conditions of the Environment Impact Assessment Technical Committee, [local authorities] and other additional conditions.”
Malaysia permits the import of recycled plastics, but under very strict pre-notification conditions.
