Malaysia may see 230 million tonnes of plastic waste by 2040, with 23 million entering waterways yearly, says ministry

By 2040, Malaysia is expected to be inundated with an estimated 230 million metric tonnes of plastic waste, largely polluting the country's land and water bodies, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. Each year, around 23 million tonnes of this plastic waste seeps into waterways, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems.

In response to this looming crisis, the ministry has devised an array of strategies and initiatives to bolster marine waste management nationwide. These include establishing a standardized monitoring framework through coastal clean-up programs, systematic data collection, and regular monitoring. Reliable data, Nor Yahati Awang, deputy secretary-general of Environmental Sustainability, explained, not only aids in crafting evidence-based policies but also fulfills international commitments under SDG 14: Life Below Water.

The approach recommended by The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) emphasizes that beach cleanup activities must be coupled with systematic scientific monitoring, consistent waste classification, high-quality data collection, and trend analysis over time. Emphasizing the importance of prevention and reduction efforts, Nor Yahati stressed the need to safeguard marine ecosystems, resources, and biodiversity for future generations.

During today's cleanup at Tanjung Gelam Beach, over 100 participants, including students, volunteers, and local community members, managed to gather 165 kilogrammes of waste in under two hours. This collaboration, involving the University of Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and the Geng Plastik Ija association, concentrated on collecting and categorizing marine debris such as plastics, packaging materials, and fishing gear, which can adversely affect coastal ecosystems.

Muhammad Ikhwanuddin Abdullah, deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) at UMT, highlighted the significance of gathering such data, which will aid researchers in identifying the types, volume, and distribution of waste along the coastline. This information serves as a vital resource to support future studies, monitoring efforts, and environmental management planning.

The cleanup took place at Kampung Tanjung Gelam, chosen due to its status as a popular recreational area and coastal ecosystem that necessitates ongoing monitoring and care.