Plastic Waste in Malaysia
Like in many other parts of the world, plastic waste causes serious environmental and health risks in Malaysia. The country's usage of plastic has rapidly increased over the years as a result of urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and the practicality of single-use plastic goods. Due to this growth in plastic use, more plastic waste is being produced.
The wrong handling of plastic garbage is one of the key issues it raises. Many plastic has ended up in landfills or been improperly dumped as a result of inadequate waste management infrastructure, including collection and recycling systems. Plastic garbage frequently ends up in water bodies due to poor disposal, where it can harm wildlife and marine ecosystems. Plastic trash has been discovered in Malaysian rivers and coastal areas, endangering the ecosystem and harming aquatic life.
It has been standard practice to use excessive amounts of plastic packaging, such as single-use plastic bags, food containers, and beverage bottles. These objects are frequently used for a brief period before being discarded, which causes plastic trash to accumulate quickly. Additionally, it might take hundreds of years for plastic packaging to decompose, which worsens its long-term effects on the ecosystem. Plastic waste's effects go beyond the obvious degradation of land and water. Microplastics, or plastics that degrade into smaller pieces, can get into the food chain by getting eaten by marine species. As a result, there may be health concerns to people since microplastics can build up in the food we eat.
In Malaysia, attempts are being made to address the issue because authorities are aware of how serious the plastic garbage situation is. Campaigns and awareness programmes have been launched by government organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community organisations to inform the public about the effects of plastic waste and to encourage proper waste management techniques. Waste reduction and recycling programmes have been put in place to promote proper plastic waste disposal and recycling.
How to Reuse Plastic Packaging
Organizers and Storage
Pastic bottles, jars, and boxes can be repurposed as organisers for small items like craft supplies, office supplies, or hardware tools. They can also be used to store and organize items in the kitchen, bathroom, or garage. In Love Earth, our Lightly Roasted Nuts plastic packaging is suitable to keep pencils and pens. The packaging is sticked with product stickers that can be removed to give a more clean look to the bottle.
Click here to buy Love Earth Lightly Roasted Nuts
Planters and Pots
Plastic containers like bottles, tubs, or even plastic bags can be repurposed as planters for small plants or herbs. Just make sure to create drainage holes if necessary and provide proper soil and care for the plants. In Love Earth, our Granolove packaging can be used as planters due to its pouch-like design. More small plants and herbs can be planted in this packaging instead of being thrown away!
Click here to buy Love Earth Granolove
Donation
Consider donating clean, reusable plastic packaging to nearby schools, community centres, or art organisations so they can utilise it for various projects and activities if you no longer need it. In Love Earth, other can plastic packaging, we also use paper packaging for our Baby Noodles. The paper packaging can be recycled along with other paper waste and even in Malaysia, you will get paid if your paper waste is being sent to the recycle centre.
Click here to buy Love Earth Baby Noodles
Remember, it's essential to clean and sanitize plastic packaging properly before reusing it, especially if it originally contained food or personal care products. Additionally, while reusing plastic packaging is beneficial, it's important to keep in mind that reducing overall plastic consumption and seeking sustainable alternatives whenever possible is the best long-term solution to tackle plastic waste.
Written by: Alia Adrina Asri
BSc (Hons) Nutrition
Love Earth Nutritionist
