Malaysia Halts U.S. Plastic Waste Imports From July, Impacts California Recycling

Malaysia will implement a ban on plastic waste imports from the United States starting July 1, 2025, due to the U.S.'s failure to ratify the Basel Convention treaty, which regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. This ban follows China's earlier ban on plastic waste imports and leaves California, a major U.S. plastic waste producer, facing significant challenges in managing its recycling stream, as much of its plastic waste was previously exported to Malaysia. The new Malaysian regulations require import permits and inspections by SIRIM and only allow plastic waste from countries that have ratified the Basel Convention or have trade agreements with Malaysia. Environmental advocates highlight the ban as a necessary step to stop harmful plastic waste exports that are often not properly recycled and instead contribute to pollution. Malaysia's move reflects a broader trend among developing countries pushing back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign plastic waste, exacerbating the need for improved domestic recycling infrastructure in exporting countries like California. The ban raises concerns about increased landfill use or illegal dumping in the U.S. if alternative solutions are not promptly found.