‘Not world’s rubbish bin’: Malaysia e-waste seizure raises fears of renewed criminal trade

Environment minister’s warning comes after interception of over 100 containers filled with toxic e-waste from Los Angeles port

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Malaysian officials examine a seized container filled with e-waste that originated from the Los Angeles port. Photo: Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry

Published: 5:13pm, 26 Jun 2024

Malaysia has seized over 100 shipping containers filled with electronic waste sent from Los Angeles port and destined for illegal smelters operated by Chinese gangs, the environment minister said Wednesday.

The containers, which were tracked by environmental activist groups en route to Malaysia’s Port Klang, signal that the Southeast Asian nation has once more become an end point in the multibillion-dollar illicit global supply chain for unprocessed e-waste and plastic waste.

“We do not want Malaysia to be the world’s rubbish bin,” environment minister Nik Nazmi told reporters, adding the illicit haul was worth around US $1.7 million to the criminals who were meant to receive it.

Aside from electronic waste, 195 other seized containers were found filled with scrap metal from the same port of origin.

The haul signifies a sharp increase from the 47 containers containing banned materials, including plastic waste and e-waste, seized in 2023.

Electronic circuit boards containing mercury and lead are a common example of e-waste. Photo: Shutterstock

“I would like to emphasise that it is national policy not to allow the importation of e-waste and action will be taken,” he said, adding the regulation also requires such shipments to be returned to their place of origin.