Malaysia is taking a tougher stance on plastic waste. Beginning July 1, 2025, the country will prohibit imports of plastic scrap unless they are officially approved under new government regulations.

The move aligns Malaysia with the Basel Convention and its 2019 Plastic Waste Amendments, which restrict trade in contaminated or hard-to-recycle plastic scrap between Basel member countries and nonparties such as the United States.

Closing the Door on Waste Dumping

Environmental watchdog Basel Action Network (BAN) has praised Malaysia’s new measures, saying the law will help curb the flow of harmful plastic waste often shipped under the pretense of “recycling.”

“Only a fraction of exported plastics ever get recycled. Much of it ends up being dumped, burned, or contaminating waterways,” said BAN founder Jim Puckett. “This new law is a relief, as it stops Malaysia from being part of the global plastic waste shell game.”

What the New Rules Mean

Under amendments to the Customs Act, plastic scrap imports are banned unless they receive clearance from SIRIM Berhad, the agency overseeing inspection and certification. The rules specify:

• Only imports from Basel Convention parties are allowed.
• Plastic scrap must meet 99.5% purity for each polymer, with only PP, PE, and PET mixtures permitted.
• Loads cannot contain more than 2% nonplastic contaminants (such as paper, wood, or metal).
• Zero tolerance applies to food, oil, or electronic scrap contamination.
• Free-trade zones are not exempt, and false declarations will face prosecution.

Experts note that these requirements—particularly the 99.5% purity level—are nearly impossible for post-consumer plastics, signaling a significant tightening of standards.

Regional and Global Implications

The U.S. exported more than 35,000 tons of plastic scrap to Malaysia in 2024. Data also shows Malaysia has been one of the world’s largest non-OECD importers of plastic waste in recent years.

The stricter measures place Malaysia alongside neighbors like Thailand and Indonesia, which have also announced bans on plastic scrap imports in 2025.

BAN researcher Wong Pui Yi in Kuala Lumpur emphasized that strong enforcement will be crucial:

“Our people and environment have suffered greatly from imported plastic waste. For these new rules to succeed, the government must enforce them transparently and prosecute violations without delay.”

Looking Ahead

Malaysia’s move signals a decisive step in Southeast Asia’s effort to push back against being treated as the world’s dumping ground. With enforcement, the new regulations could set a regional benchmark for protecting both the environment and public health.