Plastic pollution is a global crisis, and Malaysia, like many other countries, is facing the harsh consequences of mismanaged waste.

With increasing awareness of the damage caused by plastic waste to our oceans and waterways, Malaysia finds itself at a critical juncture in managing this environmental disaster.

Despite growing calls for action, plastic waste continues to pour into our waters, posing a significant threat to both the environment and public health.

The global picture of plastic waste

Globally, plastic waste has reached alarming levels. According to recent data, only about 9 per cent of plastic waste is recycled, while a staggering 91 per cent is either incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged – often dumped directly into the ocean.

The numbers are even bleaker when considering that the United States, the world’s largest plastic polluter, recycles just 5 per cent of its household plastic waste.

In Malaysia, the situation is no different. The country generates millions of tonnes of plastic waste each year, much of which ends up in our waterways, polluting rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

A glimpse into Malaysia’s plastic waste landscape

Malaysia’s waste management system faces many challenges.

While recycling rates have improved in urban areas, large portions of plastic waste still end up in landfills or worse, are illegally dumped into rivers.

The problem is compounded by the country’s reliance on single-use plastics, a habit deeply ingrained in everyday life.

From food packaging to shopping bags, plastic products are cheap, convenient, and ubiquitous, making them difficult to avoid or replace.

However, as global plastic production rises, the environmental toll on Malaysia’s natural resources becomes increasingly apparent.

In the case of Malaysia’s water systems, plastic waste has a particularly devastating impact.

Rivers in the country, like Klang and Gombak rivers, have become repositories for discarded plastics.

These rivers, which flow through major urban centres, eventually feed into the ocean, carrying large quantities of waste along with them.

Studies have shown that Malaysia is among the top 10 countries in the world contributing to plastic waste in the ocean.

The vast amount of plastic entering water systems poses a direct threat to marine life, disrupts ecosystems, and harms local communities that depend on these waters for their livelihoods.

The illusion of recycling: Why Malaysia struggles

One of the biggest barriers to tackling plastic waste in Malaysia is the inefficiency of the recycling system.

While there have been efforts to increase recycling, only certain types of plastic are actually being processed.

Plastics like PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) are the most commonly recycled, but many other types are either too difficult to sort or not economically viable to recycle.

The reality is that much of the plastic collected for recycling ends up being sent to landfills due to the high costs of processing and limited recycling infrastructure.

The rise of flexible packaging, such as snack wrappers and food packets, has further complicated the issue.

These multi-layered materials are difficult to recycle because they are often contaminated with food residues or consist of mixed plastics that require specialised sorting.

Unfortunately, these types of packaging make up a large portion of plastic waste in our country, further overwhelming an already inefficient recycling system.

Economically, the situation is even more challenging.

Virgin plastic, produced from fossil fuels, is cheaper to manufacture than recycled plastic due to subsidies for the petroleum industry.

This price disparity discourages the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, making it more profitable for companies to continue relying on new plastic production rather than recycling.

With stronger regulations, improved recycling efforts and greater public awareness, Malaysia can take meaningful steps to reduce plastic waste.

Impact on Malaysia’s waterways

Plastic waste in our rivers and oceans doesn’t just affect the environment; it has profound consequences for human health as well.

As plastics break down in water, they release harmful chemicals into the ecosystem.

These chemicals can contaminate drinking water, affecting communities that rely on rivers for their water supply.

Additionally, as plastics degrade, they break into smaller particles known as microplastics which are nearly impossible to remove from the water.

These tiny particles have been found in marine life, with evidence suggesting that they may enter the human food chain.

The clogged waterways also lead to serious flooding, particularly in urban areas.

When plastics accumulate in drains and riverbeds, they obstruct the flow of water, exacerbating the impact of heavy rains.

This creates a dangerous cycle of waste build-up and flooding, which puts additional strain on Malaysia’s already burdened waste management systems.

Moving toward a solution: What can we do

While the scale of the problem is daunting, there are steps that Malaysia can take to address plastic pollution in its waterways.

One crucial strategy is to tackle plastic waste at the source.

The government has already taken some steps in this direction, such as banning single-use plastic bags in certain states and introducing plastic waste management initiatives.

However, these efforts need to be scaled up nationwide to effectively reduce the flow of plastic into water systems.

Another important measure is improving the recycling infrastructure.

By expanding facilities that can process a wider variety of plastics and creating a more efficient system for sorting and collecting recyclables, we could increase its recycling rate.

Public awareness campaigns and community engagement are also key to encouraging proper disposal of plastic waste and reducing littering in rivers and urban areas.

In addition, Malaysia should push for stronger policies that hold producers accountable for the plastics they create.

The implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs would ensure that manufacturers are responsible for the collection and recycling of their products once they reach the end of their life cycle.

Such policies have proven effective in other countries and could be a game-changer in reducing plastic waste in Malaysia’s waterways.

Every plastic must be labelled too, to state if its recyclable or end of use.

Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental issues facing Malaysia today.

With the majority of plastic waste ending up in landfills or waterways, the impact on our rivers and oceans is dire.

However, with stronger regulations, improved recycling efforts and greater public awareness, Malaysia can take meaningful steps to reduce plastic waste and protect its valuable water systems for future generations.

The time to act is now – before the plastic crisis becomes irreparable.

(Ravindran Raman Kutty is an active social worker.)