Plastic Waste Trade
Every year, tonnes of plastic waste, often mislabelled as “recyclables,” are shipped from wealthier nations to countries like Malaysia. In fact, since 2018, Malaysia became one of the world’s top destinations for plastic waste imports.
Greenpeace Malaysia began investigating this growing crisis early on and red-flagged it to the world, exposing illegal shipments, naming polluters, and supporting local communities fighting back.
Our Approach
What really happens to plastic waste once we throw it away? As Malaysia became a dumping ground for the world’s trash, we set out to expose the truth, protect our communities, and demand global accountability.
Investigate and expose
We uncover the truth behind plastic waste shipments through on-the-ground investigations, data reporting, and visual storytelling
Mobilise and empower
We work alongside impacted communities, activists, and allies to take action, protest, and demand accountability from polluters and decision-makers.
Advocate and influence
We push for strong policy change at local and global levels, including media engagement and coalition-building, to ban plastic waste trade.
Our Projects
We didn’t just expose a problem — we sparked a movement. Here’s how we turned local outrage into global pressure.
Waste site investigations
We visited illegal and polluting plastic waste sites across Malaysia. Our investigations weren’t just about documenting waste, they exposed the human cost behind the global recycling lie. We published two reports, The Recycling Myth and The Recycling Myth 2.0, revealing the scale of environmental injustice and the broken system enabling it.
Global & regional advocacy
From ASEAN dialogues to local and international media, we pushed for bans on plastic waste trade. We worked across borders to make this a regional fight, amplifying stories from Malaysia and beyond to shape policies that protect people, not polluters.
Field documentary
We captured on-the-ground realities through film to expose the broken global system of recycling, and how Malaysia has become a dumping ground for the unwanted trash of 19 other countries. Watch the film
Rally against polluters
We joined hands with local communities, activists, and allies to organise nonviolent protests and actions, demanding accountability from plastic waste exporters and the local policymakers enabling this toxic trade.
Mentioned in Media
Our campaign has been featured in national and international media, amplifying the call to end plastic waste trade and hold polluters accountable.
How You Can Help
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Let’s end the age of plastic!
We have a rare chance to turn the tide on plastic. Add your name before the final Global Plastics Treaty talks this August.
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Volunteer
Volunteers are an essential and integral part of the Greenpeace family, the heart and soul of Greenpeace. Sign up as a Greenpeace Malaysia volunteer today
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Every Donation Counts
We can’t do this without your help. Take action for environment protection, please make a donation today.
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Malaysia’s support of the global plastics treaty at INC5.2
We sent a letter to several ministers, including the acting National Resources and Environment and Sustainability Minister (NRES) Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani on the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) this week with the hopes of landing a final deal, in Geneva, Switzerland.
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More businesses join the call for a strong UN Plastics Treaty, support global change
As the final scheduled UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations approach, the voices supporting and calling for an ambitious Treaty are getting louder.
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Plastics, profits and power
Plastics, Profits & Power exposes how fossil fuel and petrochemical companies are working to derail the Global Plastics Treaty, the world’s most ambitious effort to end plastic pollution.
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Southeast Asia’s human rights response to the plastic crisis
Our fight against plastic pollution continues. The plastic pollution crisis gripping Southeast Asia cannot wait for global consensus.
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Every breath you take
A new Greenpeace International report released today reveals that over 50 million people in 11 countries are at risk of exposure to hazardous air pollution from living near plastic linked…
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Together we are part of a growing, global movement determined to bring about the changes our planet desperately needs.