A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

and disposal of hazardous waste; incineration
plant, physical/chemical treatment plant,
secured landfill, and leachate treatment plant.
Malaysia ratified the Basel Convention in 1993,
and under Section 34B (amended in 1996) of the
Environmental Quality Act of 1974. According
to the Act, the receipt or shipment of any
specified wastes into or out of territorial waters
without prior written approval from the
Director General of Department of
Environment is prohibited. The specified
wastes subject to these restrictions are set forth
in the Environmental Quality (Scheduled
Wastes) Regulations of 1989. Businesses
involved in collection and recycling of
scheduled wastes are required to obtain a
license from the Department of Environment.
About 57 companies were identified and
licensed for such businesses as of March 2005.
The Government of Malaysia has also
submitted a notification to the Basel
Convention Secretariat with the changes to
their national definition of hazardous wastes,
other than those listed in the Basel Convention.
Additional other hazardous wastes controlled
for the purpose of Transboundary Movement in
Malaysia are slag from copper processing, oil
tanker sludge, granulated slag and spent
industrial catalysts.
Findings
Malaysia has specific restrictions on
Transboundary Movement of waste. Currently
there are three different ways of e-waste
management in Malaysia. They are through
local trade of e-waste, normal ways of land
filling done by private companies and special
ways through recycling programs. Though
Malaysia has been attempting to address the
issues arising on e-waste a general lack of
information prevails.
It is also evident that the recycling business in
Malaysia is predominantly done in the informal
sector with no specific policies and enforcing
legislations in place. Informal recyclers,
recycling facilities and traders of e-waste owe a
major share of the country’s recycling arena.
Considering the threats and lack of legislation
on e-waste, awareness/education campaigns for
public and industry are being continuously
conducted by the Government. With
neighboring countries competing for waste
recycling, Malaysia is not well positioned in the
business thus providing relief to the country in
terms of related issues.
GAPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 3R
Worldwide, experiences indicate that applying
3R is a lucrative way of tackling waste
management issues. The first step in this exercise
is an assessment of the technology options
available for implementing 3R-based solutions.
Proactive policies and relevant legislations
emphasizing 3R-based solutions are vital to
achieve a higher success rate to form the next
step. While recycling is considered as
technological ability, reduce and reuse is often
considered management or policy oriented. In
this context, the following sections present
information on the technology and management
aspects with a focus on 3R.
TECHNOLOGY GAPS
Malaysia’s solid waste management needs are
huge considering the existing capacity and the
persistent growth of urban areas and industrial
development. Without the necessary measures to
establish effective handling, treatment, and
disposal systems, the growing quantities of
waste can have various impacts, from increased
health risks to environmental degradation. Table
presents an overview of the various technologies
applicable for 3R and their status in Malaysia.
MANAGEMENT ASPECTS
On the verge of rapid growth, Malaysia has been
facing various issues like any other developing
country and has been constantly struggling to
improve the living conditions in the country. In
this endeavor, Malaysia has kept itself open to
the introduction of new technologies and
management practices aimed towards
development and growth. It is essential that the
management, legislative and policy aspects of
waste management with emphasis on 3R be
studied to understand the situation better. The
table presents an overview of the management
aspects in Malaysia with reference to 3R.
Chapter 3: Country Analysis
93