Malaysia to be first country to develop e-waste management system in region — Wan Junaidi

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PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will emerge as the first country in the South East Asian region to develop an e-waste management system for proper flow of household e-waste, says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the system which was expected to be completed in three years was crucial as Malaysia was estimated to generate 53 million pieces of e-waste such as mobile phones, televisions, washing machines, refrigerators and air-conditioners in 2020.

Wan Junaidi said currently, there was no formal system in place for household e-waste management although e-waste from the industries were controlled and regulated.

“At the moment, e-wastes are collected by buyers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or collectors, but many are improperly dismantled or recycled which can cause environmental and health hazards.

“Proper system is required so that hazarous substances such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc, lead, silver and copper found in e-wastes are not released into the environment,” he said at the launch of the Household E-waste Management in the Malaysia Web Portal and Info Kit here yesterday.

Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri, Environment director-general Datuk Halimah Hassan and Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy, Hiroshi Takashima, among others.

Wan Junaidi said the household e-waste management system was developed by the Department of Environment, with assistance from the Japan Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Wan Junaidi said the web portal would provide various information, including directory of collectors and recyclers, establishment of relevant law amendments, regulations, guidelines and project activities under the JICA technical cooperation and awareness raising campaigns.

The web portal can be accessed at www.doe.gov.my/household-ewaste. — Bernama