Construction waste export from S'pore not allowed, will work with M'sian authorities to investigate illegal dumping in Johor: NEA

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) has reached out to Johor's Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) on the issue of construction waste being illegally dumped in Pontian, Malaysia, the agency said in response to Mothership's queries.

This follows earlier media reports that the waste reportedly originated from Singapore.

The waste includes broken tiles, metal bars and construction equipment.

Construction waste export not allowed: NEA

Malaysian outlet New Straits Times reported on Aug. 17 that NEA's group director for resource and sustainability phoned the director of the Johor waste management authority and informed him that all exports of construction and demolition waste from Singapore to Malaysia will be halted.

NEA confirmed in its statement that a call took place between NEA and the Johor waste management agency, SWCorp.

During the call with SWCorp, NEA affirmed that Singapore does not allow construction and demolition (C&D) waste to be exported for disposal, the agency said.

Under Singapore’s regulatory framework, C&D waste must be properly processed and sorted locally for recycling, NEA explained.

"Homogeneous material streams such as ferrous scrap recovered from C&D waste are considered recyclables and can be exported, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements," the agency added.

Not yet established if Singapore companies were involved: NEA

NEA acknowledged that SWCorp has named nine Malaysian companies that it is investigating in relation to the illegal dumping.

"It is not yet established if Singapore companies were involved," NEA clarified.

NEA said it has issued an advisory to licensed waste disposal facilities handling C&D waste in Singapore, reminding them of regulatory requirements.

The agency also said:

"NEA takes a serious view of any illegal disposal of waste, as it pollutes the environment and can be a hazard to public health.

NEA will continue to work closely with the Malaysian authorities to investigate the matter."

Pontian locals told The Straits Times that convoys of trucks would rumble through the roads at night, affecting their sleep and damaging roads.

CNA previously reported that Johor is probing nine Malaysian firms suspected of being responsible for the illegal waste dumping.

The waste is believed to have been transported from Singapore via Tuas before being discarded on the land plots in Pontian, CNA wrote.