Full audit report on 19 plastic importing factories to be known early Feb

KLANG (Jan 15): A full audit report on 19 plastic importing factories across the country will be out latest by early February.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government special tasks officer Muhammad Harris Idaham Abdul Rashid said the full report would be handed over to his minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, as soon as visits to all the plants were completed this Thursday.

"The report will cover various aspects, including (plastic) processing methods and factory hygiene, including the import and export of the plastic.

"We have checked 11 factories since last Friday. On the surface overall, all the factories we visited were in good condition, including the water systems and smoke dispersal systems, as well as being environmentally conscious," he told reporters.

He was met after a visit to a factory here yesterday. National Solid Waste Management Department director Muhamad Zaini Hasnan was also present.

Commenting further, Muhammad Harris Idaham said only companies which adhered to the 18 conditions set by the ministry would have their approved permits (APs) renewed.

"New companies who wish to apply (for an AP) must also follow the ministry's requirements.

"Among the important requirements is the recyclable plastic must be clean, and that quality of the plastic meets industry standards. We also recommend that companies allocate at least a 30% quota for recycling local products to ensure that local products were not just thrown away," he said.