COMMENT | Somehow I find our government is very inconsistent with solid waste management.

While households will soon have to segregate their solid wastes, the manufacturers of polystyrene boxes and packaging containers are having a field day.

It clearly shows a lack of political will on the part of our government to reduce the dumping of solid wastes, especially non-biodegradable packaging materials, in public places.

Styrofoam or polystyrene is made from a synthetic chemical known as Styrene. According to the US National Toxicology programme, styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”.

Yet, we are still allowing manufacturers to continue producing cups and other packaging materials using styrofoam. How ridiculous! While some university campuses have become ‘No Polystyrene Zones’, across the nation we are still seeing polystyrene used widely.

Polystyrene boxes

Lately, a new phenomenon has arisen - the dumping of polystyrene boxes in public places. These boxes are apparently manufactured locally and supplied to some wholesalers.

They are used to either keep vegetables or fish. This has become more popular within the last 12 months. Apparently, some manufacturers have created a new market segment for themselves, but they are doing a big disfavour to all Malaysians.

It is the failure of the Housing and Local Government Ministry to control the proliferation of this industry. I have noticed in the past one month that used polystyrene foam boxes are thrown all over the place.

The dumpsters are the hawkers at both wet and night markets. After their business is done, the white polystyrene boxes have to be discarded but they are usually not properly managed.

Because they are big, a few boxes can easily fill in a half-tonne bin and they cannot be easily disposed into the standard garbage bins. Even if they are ferried into a landfill, polystyrene is known to be non-biodegradable. They will remain in our environment for many years down the road...