KUALA LUMPUR: An environmental awareness non-governmental organisation (NGO) has proposed that Malaysia explore green e-waste processing technology.

A Greener Malaysia founder Dave Avran said he was in agreement with the points put forward by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki on e-waste.

"We propose that Malaysia explore green e-waste processing technology and study how the circular economy can transform the electronics industry by reducing e-waste through reuse and refurbishment.

"Circular economy refers to an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way.

"The reality of this situation is that the profit from processing e-waste is too lucrative and these criminals will continue to play cat and mouse games with the authorities," he said when contacted on Thursday.

He added that parallels could be drawn with Portugal in how it decriminalised drug use in 2001 and brought the situation under control with government supervision.

"As the global demand for electronic devices continues to rise, so does the volume of discarded electronics, creating a pressing environmental challenge.

"The circular economy model offers a promising solution by extending the lifecycle of products and minimising waste, turning what is considered trash into valuable resources," he said, adding that the fact that legal e-waste processing factories failed to comply with the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 (EQA) and hundreds of illegal e-waste factories were operating in the country raised concerns about the effectiveness of the regulatory system.

He said this suggested that something might be amiss, potentially indicating a tolerance for these illegal activities.

"Thus it is crucial that we support the establishment of legitimate green e-waste recycling facilities.

"Without a proper legal framework, toxic e-waste will inevitably seep into our air, soil and water, eventually contaminating our food chain," he said, adding that to prevent this, Malaysia must re-look its stand on the outdated 30-year-old Basel treaty and create a framework that allows green e-waste plants to operate effectively.

He said this included permitting the import of e-waste into centralised industrial parks that were adequately guarded and monitored by the relevant enforcement authorities.

"The economic advantages of legalising and monitoring proper green e-waste processing are substantial.

"The potential for job creation within the green technology sector, opportunities for technology transfer and the economic uplift from licensing and taxation will foster the development of a new industry centred on sustainability.

"With advancements in green technology, the remnants from processing e-waste can be transformed into bricks and tiles for the construction industry, reducing the depletion of our natural resources instead of being incinerated," he said, adding that without a sufficient volume of e-waste to process, these green facilities would not be sustainable.

Avran said it was imperative that Malaysia take action to ensure the viability and sustainability of legitimate e-waste processing.

Yesterday, the MACC expressed concern over the existence of e-waste processing syndicates.

Azam said these processing plants involved elements of crime, misuse of power and corruption, and they also posed health risks to nearby communities.

He added that investigations into the e-waste processing plant identified in Johor recently were ongoing.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1101847/ngo-malaysia-should-explore-green-e-waste-processing-tech