Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
SIBU: The comprehensive household electronic waste (e-waste) management system jointly developed by Department of Environment (DOE) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is expected to be ready by next year.
The move is necessary to prevent indiscriminate dumping of such waste, which could pollute the environment if not handled properly.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this yesterday when asked about the progress of the system.
“It is due for completion by 2018 and hopefully, launching at the end of 2018,” he disclosed.
A proper system is required so that hazardous substances such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc, lead, silver and copper found in e-waste would not be released into the environment.
It is reported that in 2011, 695,122 metric tonne (MT) of e-waste was produced in the country; in 2012 it was 740,585 MT; 797,879 MT in 2013; 865,384 MT in 2014; and (926, 986 MT in 2015.
Meanwhile the DOE, on its website, states that e-waste is becoming a global issue due to tremendous growth of demand for electrical and electronic equipment.
According to the department, e-waste generated from non-industrial sector such as televisions, air-conditioning units, washing machines and refrigerators are yet to be included under the present regulations.
As such, most e-waste ends up at improper recycling and disposal centres, posing a high risk of pollution and health hazard, it added.
Citing an example, DOE stated that cooling gas contained in a refrigerator or an air-conditioner would be released into the air, causing global warming and depleting the ozone layer.
“Some television parts also contain hazardous substances are disposed of improperly,” it said.