REFERRING to the letter “We are recycling toxins” (The Star, April 29), the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) believes it has created certain misconceptions about plastic recycling and would like to clarify them.
First, chemicals are used in the production of plastics as well as paper, glass and aluminium. Common plastics are produced through chemical processes that involve the use of various chemicals, catalysts and additives to achieve the desired properties like strength, flexibility and colour.
Recyclable plastics may contain residual contaminants from their previous use, such as traces of food or beverage residues, pesticides or cleaning agents. During recycling, plastics may undergo thermal or mechanical degradation, leading to the formation of degradation products. These may be present in recycled plastic pellets.
Chemicals used in the recycling process, such as solvents, detergents or cleaning agents, can also potentially be present in recycled plastic pellets.
It is important to note that Malaysia does not use recycled plastic pellets for food contact products. There are no regulations in the country as yet to allow such use.
In countries where plastic pellets are used for food contact applications, regulatory bodies typically set standards and guidelines to ensure the safety of consumers.
These standards cover aspects such as the type of materials permitted, manufacturing processes, additives used and permissible levels of contaminants.
Manufacturers must adhere to these regulations to ensure that their products are safe for use with food.
Second, various industrial regulations are in place in Malaysia to govern the handling, storage and use of chemicals in manufacturing processes. Manufacturers and importers of chemicals are required to prepare and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to downstream users. SDS contain information on the safe handling, storage and use of chemicals as well as emergency response measures in case of accidents or spills.
The Malaysian Standards (MS), developed under the Standards Development Malaysia, applies to the manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals to ensure product quality specifications. MS also provides guidelines on the disposal of hazardous wastes.
In addition, the Consumer Protection Act 1999 regulates the labelling, packaging and safety standards of products to protect consumers from hazardous substances.
Third, using recycled content in plastic products is a crucial step towards addressing plastic pollution and enhancing the sustainability of value chains.
The UN Environment Programme (Unep) convened an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in 2022 to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment
The fourth session of the INC has just concluded in Ottawa, Canada with a much clearer picture of the work that remains to be done to deliver an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.
MPMA is actively involved in the INC discussions, and the industry is already taking proactive measures to identify and phase out toxic chemicals in plastics as part of efforts to improve product safety, environmental sustainability and public health.
It is important for consumers to stay informed about the safety of plastic products and take proactive steps to minimise the potential risks. By staying informed and supporting sustainable practices, consumers can help promote the safe use and management of plastic products.
CC. CHEAH
President
Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association
Source: The Star